Search Results (310)

Objectives: Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San (SLBZS) is a classical traditional Chinese herbal formula with spleen-invigorating and dampness-resolving properties. Recent pharmacological studies suggest its potential to regulate immune and metabolic disorders. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and ulcerative colitis (UC) often coexist as comorbidities characterized by chronic inflammation, microbial imbalance, and insulin dysregulation, yet effective therapies remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms through which SLBZS may benefit T2D–UC comorbidity. Methods: An integrative multi-omics strategy was applied, combining network pharmacology, structural bioinformatics, and ensemble molecular docking–dynamics simulations. These complementary approaches were used to identify SLBZS bioactive compounds, predict their putative targets, and examine their interactions with disease-related biological networks. Results: The analyses revealed that flavonoids in SLBZS act on the SLC6A14/PI3K–AKT signaling axis, thereby modulating immune responses and improving insulin sensitivity. In addition, SLBZS was predicted to regulate the NF-$\kappa$B/MAPK signaling pathways, key hubs linking inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in T2D–UC. These dual actions suggest that SLBZS can intervene in both inflammatory and metabolic processes. Conclusions: SLBZS demonstrates promising therapeutic potential for T2D–UC by targeting interconnected immune–metabolic networks. These findings not only provide mechanistic insights bridging traditional therapeutic concepts with modern pharmacology but also establish a theoretical basis for future experimental validation and clinical application. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hypertension is a global health challenge. Zhengan Xifeng Decoction (ZXD), a classical traditional Chinese medicine, has shown clinical efficacy against hypertension. This study aimed to identify the bioactive constituents of ZXD and elucidate its antihypertensive mechanisms by integrating plasma UPLC–MS (ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Methods: ZXD constituents and plasma-absorbed compounds were characterized by UPLC–MS. Putative targets (TCMSP, SwissTargetPrediction) were cross-referenced with hypertension targets (GeneCards, OMIM) and analyzed in a STRING protein–protein interaction network (Cytoscape) to define hub targets, followed by GO/KEGG enrichment. Selected protein–ligand complexes underwent docking, Prime MM-GBSA calculation, and MD validation. Results: A total of 72 absorbed components were identified, including 14 prototype compounds and 58 metabolites. Network pharmacology identified ten key bioactive compounds (e.g., liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, and caffeic acid), 149 hypertension-related targets, and ten core targets such as SRC, PIK3CA, PIK3CB, EGFR, and IGF1R. Functional enrichment implicated cardiovascular, metabolic, and stress-response pathways in the antihypertensive effects of ZXD. Molecular docking demonstrated strong interactions between key compounds, including liquiritigenin, caffeic acid, and isoliquiritigenin, and core targets, supported by the MM-GBSA binding free energy estimation. Subsequent MD simulations confirmed the docking poses and validated the stability of the protein–ligand complexes over time. Conclusions: These findings provide mechanistic insights into the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway therapeutic effects of ZXD, offering a scientific basis for its clinical use and potential guidance for future drug development in hypertension management. Full article

The educational philosophy of the Nuns’ Buddhist Academy at Pushou Monastery, Mount Wutai, is based on the principles of “Hua Yan as the foundation, precepts as the practice, and Pure Land as the destination.” This philosophy draws upon Buddhist scriptures, integrating descriptions of the Pure Land practice found in the Avatamsaka Sūtra and the Amitābha Sūtra. This approach translates the textual teachings of Buddhist classics into real-life practice, expressing the concept of “the non-obstruction of principle and phenomenon” in the tangible activities of practitioners. It also allows for the experiential understanding of the spiritual realms revealed in the scriptures during theoretical learning and practice. The philosophy of the Nuns’ Academy embodies the practical emphasis of Chinese Buddhism, guiding all aspects of learning and practice. This paper argues that the pure land practice is living. In order to understand pure land practice, there should be a comprehensive viewpoint. It is needed to explore this way of practice through the analysis of textual analysis, figuring its root in Buddhis sūtra, as well as a sociological method to investigate its manifestation at the present society. Moreover, the spiritual dimension should not be neglected for a full-scale study. In this sense, the pure land school is living at present. Full article

The ancient Chinese texts exhibit marked intertextual characteristics, where scholars engage in citation, reinterpretation, and reconstruction of earlier works, forming an intellectual lineage spanning millennia. With advances in digital humanities, automated detection of text reuse in vast classical corpora has become feasible. However, existing algorithms remain largely confined to surface-level character matching, posing persistent challenges in identifying deep semantic correlations. To address this problem, we propose a novel text reuse detection method based on knowledge distillation for ancient Chinese literature which significantly enhances semantic understanding of classical texts while maintaining computational efficiency. Additionally, we construct a high-quality annotated dataset to establish a reliable benchmark for algorithmic evaluation. Through concrete case studies, we demonstrate the method’s applicability in cultural analysis, offering a novel technical pathway for the digitization and intelligent analysis of cultural heritage. Full article

Heat stress (HS), a pervasive environmental stressor, significantly disrupts systemic physiological homeostasis, posing substantial threats to human and animal health. Sheng Mai San (SMS), a classic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula, exerts its therapeutic effects by replenishing qi (the vital energy governing physiological functions) and nourishing yin (the material basis responsible for moistening and cooling actions). This formula demonstrates significant efficacy in astringing sweating and preventing collapse. However, its precise molecular mechanisms against HS-induced myocardial injury remain incompletely elucidated. This study initially employed physicochemical analytical methods to determine the contents of total polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids in SMS and evaluated its antioxidant activity. Subsequently, both in vitro and in vivo rat models of HS were established to systematically assess the alterations in reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzymes (GSH, SOD, CAT), and heat shock proteins (HSP70, HSP90) following SMS intervention, thereby investigating HS-induced myocardial injury and the protective effects of SMS. Furthermore, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and qRT-PCR techniques were utilized to quantitatively analyze key molecules in the Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 and Stub1-HSF1 signaling pathways. The results demonstrated that total polysaccharides were the most concentrated in SMS, followed by total saponins. This formula exhibited potent free radical scavenging capacity against DPPH, ABTS, and OH⁻, along with significant reducing activity. HS-induced myocardial injury reached its peak severity at 6-12 h post-stress exposure. SMS intervention effectively suppressed excessive ROS generation, enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes (GSH, SOD, and CAT), and downregulated HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA expression levels, thereby significantly mitigating cardiomyocyte damage. Mechanistic investigations revealed that SMS conferred cardioprotection through dual modulation of the Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 and Stub1-HSF1 signaling pathways. This study not only provides a novel TCM-based therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating HS-related cardiovascular disorders but also establishes a crucial theoretical foundation for further exploration of SMS’s pharmacological mechanisms and clinical applications. Full article

In 1807, a group of Protestant missionaries driven by evangelistic ideals arrived in China, dedicated to “winning China for Christ.” Walter Henry Medhurst of the London Missionary Society was among them. In addition to his preaching and study of Chinese orthodox classics, he translated the agricultural work Nongzheng Quanshu by Xu Guangqi, the very influential scholar-official of the late Ming dynasty, into English. This study explores how Medhurst’s unwavering missionary convictions influenced his secular translation praxis by examining his translational motivation, methodology and quality. He aimed to dispel Western misconceptions regarding Chinese silk-weaving techniques and then secure institutional patronage and integrate Chinese civilization under the auspices of Christian culture. Driven by the missionary mandate to convey the real China, he meticulously selected the Chinese version; and adopted a bilingual juxtaposition methodology for translating agricultural terms, thus inspiring prospective missionary students to acquire Chinese. Moreover, his scheduled missionary priority, assigned by the affiliated mission, constrained his engagement with the “amateur issues,” resulting in the translated language being less semantically equivalent, which in turn provides a pragmatic justification for the need to “civilize” China. Medhurst’s translation not only advanced his missionary enterprise, but also boosted Britain’s silk-weaving industry during the Industrial Revolution and prepared the way for the Western understanding of Chinese agricultural science from the late 19th century to the present. To this end, this analysis clearly revealed that translation was inextricably linked to the propagation of Christianity in religious communication. Full article

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a highly pathogenic agent that adversely impacts swine populations, leading to considerable economic losses within the Chinese pig industry. Furthermore, the potential for PRV to transmit across species from pigs to other hosts has attracted significant attention. In light of this, it is essential to identify efficacious antiviral agents for the treatment of PRV infection. In this study, we investigated the antiviral properties of Diltiazem HCl (DTZ) against PRV infection in susceptible cell lines. Our results demonstrated that DTZ significantly inhibited PRV infection in both PK15 and Vero cells. Moreover, this chemical compound exhibited antiviral activity against both variant and classical strains of PRV, as well as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Time-of-addition assays showed that DTZ exerted its inhibitory effect through specific interference with the virus replication process. Subsequent transcriptomic analysis via RNA sequencing indicated that the calcium signaling pathway might be involved in the antiviral properties of DTZ against PRV infection. Specifically, treatment with EGTA or calcium ion (Ca²⁺)-free medium inhibited PRV infection; this inhibitory effect was substantially mitigated upon the reintroduction of CaCl₂. In summary, DTZ effectively suppressed PRV infection in vitro, demonstrating its potential as an antiviral agent against PRV infections. Full article

Background: Liuwei Dihuang Pills, a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been widely used in clinical practice for its multiple pharmacological effects. However, the systematic characterization and identification of its chemical constituents, especially the aqueous decoction, remain insufficient, which hinders in-depth research on its pharmacodynamic material basis. Thus, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive analysis of its chemical components using advanced analytical techniques. Methods: After screening chromatographic columns, the ACQUITY UPLC™ HSS T3 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) was selected. The column temperature was set to 40 °C, and the mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (B). A gradient elution program was adopted, and the separation was completed within 20 min. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Orbitrap-MS) combined with a self-established information database was used for the analysis. Results: A total of 80 compounds were tentatively identified, including 13 monoterpenoids, 6 phenolic acids, 16 iridoids, 11 flavonoids, 25 triterpenoids, and 9 other types. Triterpenoids are mainly derived from Poria cocos and Alisma orientale; iridoids are mainly from Rehmannia glutinosa; monoterpenoids are mainly from Moutan Cortex; and flavonoids are mainly from Dioscorea opposita. Among them, monoterpenoids, iridoids, and triterpenoids are important pharmacodynamic components. The cleavage pathways of typical compounds (such as pachymic acid, catalpol, oxidized paeoniflorin, and puerarin) are clear, and their mass spectral fragment characteristics are consistent with the literature reports. Conclusions: Through UPLC-Orbitrap-MS technology and systematic optimization of conditions, this study significantly improved the coverage of chemical component identification in Liuwei Dihuang Pills, providing a comprehensive reference for the research on its pharmacodynamic substances. However, challenges remain in the identification of trace components and isomers. In the future, analytical methods will be further improved by combining technologies such as ion mobility mass spectrometry or multi-dimensional liquid chromatography. Full article

This article explores the literary significance of the bell as an important image in the poetry of Taixu 太虛 (1890–1947), a renowned modern Chinese Buddhist reformer and poet–monk. While the bell has long-held symbolic meaning in Buddhist ritual and Chinese literary traditions, its role in poetry has often been overlooked in favor of material culture studies. This article addresses that discrepancy by examining how Taixu inherited and reinterpreted classical bell imagery to articulate his personal emotions and religious philosophy. Following close analysis of more than sixty of his poems, it argues that Taixu used the bell not merely as a traditional image but also as a vehicle for expressing two core Buddhist concepts: mental purification and transcendence of the mundane. The article also highlights his creative pairing of the bell with other classical Chinese images—such as sunsets, moonlight, mountains, and forests—to form complex imagery groups. Taixu’s skillful execution of this technique exemplifies the considerable literary talent and spiritual insight that enabled him to blend Buddhist doctrine with poetic expression to remarkable effect. Overall, his poetic corpus may be considered as both a continuation and a transformation of classical Chinese poetry traditions, affirming his identity as a modern poet–monk who possessed profound esthetic and philosophical vision. Full article

Peking opera The Revenge of Prince Zi Dan reinterprets Shakespeare’s Hamlet by integrating supernatural elements and traditional rituals from Chinese folk religion. The religious transformation is revealed through the reworking of lines, incorporation of ritual traditions, and portrayal of supernatural figures. The divine entity that is invoked in Hamlet’s prayers (2.2.169, 5.2.316) and Claudius’s repentance (3.3.36–72) is translated as tian 天 (Heaven) in Revenge, thus introducing the concepts of the worship of tian and tianming 天命 (Mandate of Heaven). Revenge also adapts Claudius’s command of “give me some light” (3.2.261) by associating it with ancient exorcisms, thereby dramatizing his attempts to conceal the guilt for regicide. Ophelia’s “maimed rites” (5.1.208) are depicted as a deviation from Confucian funeral rites in Revenge, reflected in the simplified funeral banners and Hamlet’s transgressive mourning. The “sulphurous and tormenting flames” (1.5.3) and the morning cock’s crow (1.2.217) are reinterpreted through the introduction of the judicial system of the underworld. These changes are not merely transitions in performing conventions but reflect the deep connection between folk religion and traditional Chinese theater through these prayers, rituals, and supernatural elements, thus creating a specific theatrical “field” in which Chinese folk religion interacts with Western classics. Full article

This essay provides a fine-grained analysis of selected passages of Giulio Aleni (艾儒略 1582–1649)’s translation of Catholic liturgy into classical Chinese in late imperial China. It focuses on the hitherto underexplored relationships between Aleni’s resort to medieval Aristotelianism and Thomism, as well as his translation-based introduction of Catholic Eucharistic theology into China. The case studies here revolve around Aleni’s Chinese translation of Aristotelian-Thomistic hylomorphism, with a focus on his interpretation of “anima” (i.e., the soul, which corresponds largely to linghun 靈魂 in Chinese), which is a multifaceted Western concept that pertains simultaneously to Aristotelian-Thomistic philosophy and Eucharistic theology. It is argued that in his overarching project of introducing Western learnings (i.e., 西學) to sixteenth- and seventeenth-century China, Aleni’s attention is centered primarily on the body-soul and form-matter relationship. This is, as understood here, motivated to a great extent by his scholarly awareness that properly informing Chinese Catholics of the Aristotelian-Thomistic underpinning of Western metaphysics enacts an indispensable role in introducing Catholic liturgy into China, notably the mystery of the Eucharist and Transubstantiation that would not have been effectively introduced to China without having the Western philosophical underpinnings already made available to Chinese intellectuals. Aleni’s use of medieval European cultural legacy thus requires more in-depth analysis vis-à-vis his translational poetics in China. Accordingly, the intellectual and liturgical knowledge in Aleni’s Chinese œuvres shall be investigated associatively, and the medievalism embodied by Aleni offers a valid entry point and productive critical prism. Full article

Ne Zha 2 (Ne Zha: Mo Tong Nao Hai, 哪吒之魔童闹海, 2025) is a prime example of the modernization of traditional literary intellectual property (IP). It has achieved the highest box office gross in Chinese cinematic history and ranks among the top five highest-grossing films globally. This article uses a case study approach to examine the adaptation strategies of Ne Zha 2 (2025), offering strategic insights for future film adaptations. The analysis focuses on four key dimensions—character, plot, theme, and esthetics—to explore how these elements contribute to the film’s adaptation. The findings reveal that the film strikes a balance between intertextuality and innovation, achieved through multidimensional character development, narrative subversion, contemporary thematic reinterpretation, and sophisticated esthetic techniques. By maintaining the emotional connection to the classical IP, the adaptation not only delivers stunning visual spectacles but also provides a culturally immersive experience, revitalizing traditional mythology with contemporary relevance. Full article

The development of Daoism in Italy is deeply connected to how its classical texts were received and circulated. Although Italian Christian missionaries were among the earliest Western commentators on Daoism, significant Italian engagement with Daoist works only emerged in the 20th century. During the first half of that century, Italian publishers released six translations of the Laozi, three partial translations of the Zhuangzi, and several general works on Daoism. This surge of interest was influenced by two major 19th-century developments: the rise of sinology as an academic field in France, which spurred European scholarly interest in Chinese culture, and the spread of international esoteric and occult movements, which drew heavily from Eastern philosophies. This paper focuses on two important Italian translations of the Laozi from the interwar period—Julius Evola’s 1923 translation and Attilio Castellani’s 1927 version. These translations exemplify the dual influences of academic sinology and esoteric movements on the Italian reception of Daoism. By comparing these works, this paper highlights how Daoist ideas were introduced and interpreted in Italy, shaped both by the translators’ personal backgrounds and their distinct intellectual aims, thus revealing the varied contexts in which Daoism was received in early 20th-century Italy. Full article

Perforated windows are essential landscape elements in Chinese classical gardens that combine artistic design with multiple functions. This study examines the Ho family Garden, a representative Yangzhou salt merchant garden, to classify perforated windows by type, spatial distribution, and dimensions. This study analyzes representative examples from various spaces and types to assess their visual effects, from static perspectives, focusing on landscape interfaces at different viewing distances, and dynamic perspectives, exploring their impact along different tour routes. The research also explores the penetrable viewing effects of perforated windows in the West Garden of the Ho family Garden and the sight system they create. The survey reveals that the setting characteristics of the perforated windows are related to the mode of spatial enclosure. Variations in the interface data of perforated windows at different distances relate to window size, while passive viewing effects depend on the location and number of perforated windows. The changes from the dynamic perspective primarily result from the landscape elements along different routes. In the West Garden, the penetrable view between the perforated windows and the doors increases the depth of landscape elements and spatial layers. The quantitative analysis reveals Yangzhou gardens’ unique spatial aesthetics while offering insights for contemporary landscape design. Full article

Focusing on the Pārijāta Tree on the summit of Mount Sumeru, the centre of Asian cosmology, this study analyses its depictions and images. These include Chinese translations of Buddhist texts, the most notable depictions in the handscrolls from the Dūn Huáng and Harvard Art Museums, its representations in Japanese classical literature and early modern Japanese illustrations of Mount Sumeru. Finally, drawing from the discussions on trees in the Buddhist texts, A Forest of Pearls from the Dharma Garden [法苑珠林, Fǎ yuàn zhū lín], the study also addresses various issues surrounding tree felling, which are relevant to the current concerns of environmental protection. I argue that the Pārijāta Tree, positioned as the heavenly king of trees, holds significance as a core figure at the centre of the cosmos. The Pārijāta Tree can be said to serve as a metaphor for the supreme state pursued by Buddhist practitioners. Furthermore, this study suggests that issues related to Asian cosmology or worldviews should be pursued as important subjects in future research on environmental literature. Full article