Tibetan People Research Articles

An Integrative Strategy for Discriminating Quality Markers of Tibetan Medicine Chebulae Fructus Based on Multidimensional Feature Network

ABSTRACTChebulae Fructus (TCF) is a traditional Chinese medicine and Tibetan medicine with high medicinal value, but its quality control indicators still need clarification. In this study, a strategy was proposed to specify the quality markers (Q‐markers) of TCF by constructing a multidimensional feature network that includes dimensions of effectiveness, content, traceability, and specificity. Network pharmacology analysis was performed to validate the effectiveness of the chemical constituents in TCF through creating a TCF–component–disease–target–pathway network. By combining fingerprints analysis with UPLC‐QTOF‐MS, 17 differential components were identified among 19 batches of TCF samples. Serum pharmacochemical analysis on rats identified seven prototype components absorbed into the blood. The scores for the four dimensions were calculated using these identified components as candidates, and a multidimensional feature network based on the “spider‐web” model was constructed. Ultimately, chebulinic acid, ellagic acid, chebulagic acid, methyl gallate, gallic acid, chebulic acid, and trigalloylglucose were clarified as Q‐markers of TCF. These Q‐markers screened out in this study are closely linked to the efficacy of TCF and can serve as indicator components for quality control of TCF.

Religious, Cultural, and Modern Influences on Tibetan Thangka Paintings

This research paper explores how cultural, political, and religious contexts have shaped the tradition of Tibetan Thangka paintings. The Tibetan Thangka acts both as religious sacred objects and as an artwork. My interest in this subject began when I first saw a tangka painting in real life, and I was so curious about this art style which led me to further investigate this topic. This research paper analyzed journal articles, looked at many thangkas from different time periods in different styles, and interviewed Tibetan and non-Tibetan people about their perceptions of a few Thangka paintings with varied styles. This study found out that Tibetan thangkas have changed by a lot of influences globally and locally, including political influences of mainland China and the western cultural influences. This research highlights the importance of preserving the spiritual and the culture of the Tibetan Thangka paintings and acknowledges that some are slowly adapting to become more modern.

Higher oxygen content and transport characterize high-altitude ethnic Tibetan women with the highest lifetime reproductive success

We chose the "natural laboratory" provided by high-altitude native ethnic Tibetan women who had completed childbearing to examine the hypothesis that multiple oxygen delivery traits were associated with lifetime reproductive success and had genomic associations. Four hundred seventeen (417) women aged 46 to 86 y residing at ≥3,500 m in Upper Mustang, Nepal, provided information on reproductive histories, sociocultural factors, physiological measurements, and DNA samples for this observational cohort study. Simultaneously assessing multiple traits identified combinations associated with lifetime reproductive success measured as the number of livebirths. Women with the most livebirths had distinctive hematological and cardiovascular traits. A hemoglobin concentration near the sample mode and a high percent of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin raised arterial oxygen concentration without risking elevated blood viscosity. We propose ongoing stabilizing selection on hemoglobin concentration because extreme values predicted fewer livebirths and directional selection favoring higher oxygen saturation because higher values had more predicted livebirths. EPAS1, an oxygen homeostasis locus with strong signals of positive natural selection and a high frequency of variants occurring only among populations indigenous to the Tibetan Plateau, associated with hemoglobin concentration. High blood flow into the lungs, wide left ventricles, and low hypoxic heart rate responses aided effective convective oxygen transport to tissues. Women with physiologies closer to unstressed, low altitude values had the highest lifetime reproductive success. This example of ethnic Tibetan women residing at high altitudes in Nepal links reproductive fitness with trait combinations increasing oxygen delivery under severe hypoxic stress and demonstrates ongoing natural selection.

Tibetan Dance and Its Artistic Value Rediscovered

Tibetan dance carries a rich history, culture and national feelings, and its history can be traced back to the Neolithic Age. At that time, the ancestors of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau had begun to express their lives and emotions in the form of dance. After thousands of years of development and evolution, Tibetan dance has formed a unique artistic style and a complete dance system, which not only reflects the profound historical and cultural heritage, but also shows the unique aesthetic pursuit and national spirit of the Tibetan people. This paper reviews the historical development of Tibetan dance, sorts out the characteristics and changes of Tibetan dance in different historical periods, analyzes the dance posture, rhythm and costumes of Tibetan dance, and discusses the value of Tibetan dance in contemporary times.

An Analysis of the Transmission Content of the Dance Culture of the Jiajong Tibetan "Kasdawen" in Western Sichuan, China

Background and Aim: Cultural communication is a kind of cultural continuity that has existed since the beginning of human civilization. "Kasdawen" dance is the most distinctive folk dance of Jiarong Tibetan people in western Sichuan, China. From the initial sacrificial hunting and production activities, it has gradually evolved into a folk sacrificial singing and dancing activity in funeral rites, and festival celebrations to worship Buddha and pray for peace. Taking the Tibetan folk dance "Kasdawen" in Heishui County, west Sichuan, China as a case study, this paper analyzes the communication content from three aspects: performance ceremony, performance form, and cultural connotation. Materials and Methods: This study adopts the qualitative research method of literature method, observation method, and interview method, and analyzes the data content. Most of the literature materials come from the county cultural centers or literature and history research centers in the research area, a small part comes from the library of Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China Knowledge Network, and a small part comes from the people. The interviews mainly come from folk artists and outstanding contribution dancers and observe Tibetan social life. Results: In the research results, the communication contents of the "Castaven" dance performance ceremony are mainly divided into festival ceremony and sacrifice ceremony; The communication content of the dance performance form is mainly divided into dance form, style feature, and rhythm feature. The communication content of cultural connotation is mainly divided into patrilineal culture, Wuwu dance culture, and religious belief culture. Conclusion: The dissemination of "Kasdawen" dance culture is to spread the spirit and belief of Jiarong Tibetan nationality, and it is also hoped that the dissemination of the substantive content and spiritual value of "Kasdawen" dance culture will help protect and inherit Tibetan culture.

Analysis of maxillary teeth and soft tissue profiles among Tibetan and Han Chinese females with facial symmetry for orthodontic treatment planning.

The evaluation of maxillary teeth and soft tissue profiles is a critical component of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the sagittal position of maxillary anterior teeth and facial profile esthetics among Tibetan and Han Chinese adult females for optimizing orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. A total of 100 Tibetan Chinese and 100 Han Chinese adult females with good facial symmetry were recruited. The smiling facial profile images with the maxillary central incisors and forehead in full view were taken based totally on the same standard. The photo measurement and head position were adjusted using the picture-enhancing software. The reference traces associated with forehead inclinations were utilized to assess the anteroposterior (AP) positions of the maxillary central incisors. The results showed that a round forehead was the dominant forehead shape for Tibetan (93%) and Han (55%) Chinese females. In Tibetan females, 85% of the maxillary central incisors were found to be located between the forehead's anterior limit line (the Gall line) and the goal anterior limit line (the Fall line), with 15% located posterior to the Fall line. This distribution manifested a strong association with incisor position and forehead inclination (R2 = 0.742). In Han females, 83% of the maxillary central incisors were located between the Fall line and the Gall line, with 12% posterior to the Fall line and 5% anterior to the Gall line. The positions of the maxillary central incisors exhibited a strong relationship with forehead inclination (R2 = 0.827). The maxillary central incisors were close to the aesthetic line in both ethnic groups, while forehead inclinations were correlated with AP maxillary incisor position. These findings demonstrated that there was a close relationship between the incisor position of Tibetan and Han females with facial symmetry and the forehead FFA factor, indicating a reference in oral hard and soft tissues for optimizing orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning in terms of facial contour.

Comparing the concept of "Removing Worms" between traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda -- An example of Qiye Qingnian Powder

The popular formula Qiye Qingnian Powder, prescribed by Hua Tuo (BC145 - 208), is believed to "remove three kinds of worms, be conducive to the five main organs, keep fit, and prevent one's hair from turning gray". It is a representative formula in terms of "removing worms to prolong life" in traditional Chinese medicine. This paper focuses on "Qiye" in this formula, which plays an important role in removing worms, reviews its place in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Tibetan medicine, and Ayurvedic medicine and compares the concept of "removing worms" in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It was found that the name and efficacy of Bhallātaka in Ayurvedic medicine is related to "Qiye". It was also indicated that by comparing the concept of "worms" and the understanding of "removing worms" in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, in the theory of traditional medicines worms are the causative factor of diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine has rich connotations which involved medicinal concepts of Buddhism and Taoism and the idea of "removing worms to prolong life" is a unique contribution of traditional Chinese medicine to human health.

P-715 outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer among ethnic Tibetan, Yi and Han Chinese women

Abstract Study question Does difference exist in the outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) among ethnic Tibetan, Yi and Han Chinese women? Summary answer We report that the outcomes of IVF-ET were poorer among ethnic Yi women compared with ethnic Han and Tibetan women. What is known already It has been reported that the outcomes of IVF-ET are correlated with ethnicity/race in Europe and the United States as an independent factor. Sichuan is the only province in China where all 56 ethnic groups reside, with ethnic Han, Yi and Tibetan Chinese having the highest proportions. In Chengdu city (the capital of Sichuan province, basin), the majority ethnic group is Han, whilst in Liangshan and Aba Prefectures (plateau), the major ethnic groups are Yis and Tibetans. The living environment, diet, custom, medical condition and genetic backgrounds are different among different ethnic groups. Study design, size, duration In this multi-center retrospective cohort study, a total of 58374 Chines women aged 20 ∼ 45 had undergoing the first IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) ET treatment cycle with non-donor gametes from January 2014 to December 2022 were enrolled. Participants/materials, setting, methods The patients were enrolled from two University Affiliated Hospitals and one Reproductive Hospital in Chengdu. The controlled ovarian stimulation protocols were gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocol or GnRH antagonist protocol. The patients were divided into three groups based on their ethnic origins: Tibetans (n = 1069), Yis (n = 2273) and Hans (n = 55032). The outcomes of IVF-ET were compared, with the primary outcome being the live birth rate. Main results and the role of chance The proportion of GnRH agonist protocol and IVF fertilization, the rates of moderate and severe ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS), and cleavage embryo formation in ethnic Han women were significantly higher than in the ethnic Yis and Tibetans (P < 0.05). The rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth (35.5% vs. 42.4%) were significantly lower, whereas the late abortion rate was significantly higher in Yi women than that in Han women (P < 0.05). The live birth rate was significantly lower in Yi women (35.5%) than in Tibetan (43.3%) and Han women (42.2%) (P < 0.05). Adjustment was made for age, duration, type and etiology of infertility, history of spontaneous abortion, smoking, alcohol, tuberculosis infection, body mass index, antral follicle count, antimüllerian hormone, and so on, by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Yi women had significantly lower rates of moderate and severe OHSS (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.49-0.94, P = 0.024) and clinical pregnancy (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.70-0.93, P = 0.002) compared with ethnic Hans. Yi women had significantly lower live birth rate compared with ethnic Hans (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.68-0.92, P = 0.002) and Tibetans (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.58-0.92, P = 0.007). Limitations, reasons for caution The limitations are related with the retrospective study and lack of some demographic characteristics of the patients which may influence the outcomes of IVF-ET, including diet habits, educational level, and economic status. Wider implications of the findings The ethnic group is an independent factor for the outcomes of IVF-ET among ethnic Tibetan, Yi and Han women. Among the three ethnic groups, the Yis had lower live birth rate and moderate and severe OHSS, whilst ethnic Han women had more moderate and severe OHSS. Trial registration number ChiCTR2300070269

P-726 Age of natural menopause and its associated factors among ethnic Han and Tibetan Chinese women: findings from a China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) study

Abstract Study question Is there a disparity in the age of natural menopause (ANM) between ethnic Han and Tibetan Chinese women? Summary answer The present study has discovered a significant difference in the ANM between ethnic Han and Tibetan Chinese women. What is known already The ANM indicates the termination of ovarian function and the reproductive lifespan of the ovary. Factors influencing ANM include genetic, ovarian diseases or surgery, environment, and unhealthy lifestyles. Some studies reported that ANM was different among different ethnics, such as lower in African, Latin American, Asian, whereas higher in Europe, Australia and America. Ethnic Tibetan Chinese mainly resides in an environment with high altitude, low oxygen level, and intense ultraviolet radiation. They also have unique dietary and lifestyle habits, which might result in different ANM compared to ethnic Han Chinese. However, there are few studies on ANM between the two. Study design, size, duration We performed a cross-section study involving 11174 ethnic Han and 1049 ethnic Tibetan Chinese postmenopausal women from Chengdu city and Aba Prefecture in Sichuan province. The participants were recruited by the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) study from May 2018 to September 2019. Participants/materials, setting, methods Information of the postmenopausal women was derived from CMEC baseline questionnaire. Ethnicity was used as the primary exposure variable. Regression models incorporating linear, quadratic and quadratic with interaction terms on age were used to assess the association of ANM with the ethnicity. Main results and the role of chance The mean ANM of ethnic Han Chinese women was later than that of ethnic Tibetan Chinese women (48.50 ± 4.20 years vs. 47.80 ± 4.92 years, P < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed a significant disparity in the ANM between the two groups, and sexual life, higher education, no smoking, never experienced severe food shortage, later age of menarche and more times of pregnancy were associated with later ANM (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the quadratic and interaction models demonstrated a significant non-linear association between the ANM and the age at the time of survey. In both groups, the ANM showed a trend of first rising and then declining with the increase of the age at the time of survey Notably, among women younger than 68, the ANM of ethnic Han Chinese was significantly later than that of ethnic Tibetan Chinese. Limitations, reasons for caution The information regarding menopausal women, including ANM and potential influencing factors were obtained from self-reports. Additionally, the duration of exposure to these potential influencing factors remained uncertain. Wider implications of the findings This is the first study with a large sample size comparing ANM between ethnic Han and Tibetan Chinese women. Notably, the age at the time of survey and ethnicity have independently contributed to variation in ANM, and significant interaction effects on ANM are found between age of survey and ethnicity. Trial registration number not applicable

Diffusion characteristics of indoor pollutants from incense sticks combustion in Tibetan Plateau buildings: An experimental study

Incense burning, a common practice among ethnic Tibetans in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China, generates pollutants that can impact indoor air quality and, subsequently, human health. In this paper, we investigate the diffusion characteristics of four prevalent pollutants emitted during the burning of local Tibetan incense under low-pressure conditions specific to the plateau region. The diffusion behavior of these incense burning pollutants deviates from that observed under standard atmospheric pressure due to the unique conditions prevailing at high altitudes. The research results reveal that the primary pollutants released during Tibetan incense combustion are carbon dioxide, inhalable PM2.5, and PM10. Furthermore, ambient temperature exerts a substantial influence on the concentration of pollutants emitted during incense burning. A 6 °C increase in ambient temperature results in a 1.17-fold rise in the combustion rate. Consequently, higher temperatures correspond to larger diffusion coefficients, increased gas diffusion rates, and elevated pollutant concentrations at equivalent combustion times. Simultaneously, the low oxygen content characteristic of plateau regions has a notable impact on the diffusion rate of gaseous pollutants. This study of pollutant concentration and diffusion characteristics during incense burning offers valuable insights for determining the minimum ventilation rate in plateau areas.

Visualising the post-2000s Inland Tibet Class generation: female authorship and renegotiation of ethnicity

ABSTRACT This study investigates the first films made by a female director, Kangdrun (T: Gangs sgron, གངས་ྒྲསྒྲོན་, Gangzhen, 岗珍, b. 1995) belonging to the Post-2000s Inland Tibet Class (ITC) generation. Following the experience of the Sinophone-Tibetan filmmaker Kangdrun in a Chinese language education environment, her films, and Tibetan cultural communities, this study discusses Kangdrun’s visual strategies for telling stories from the perspectives of children and youth through a feminine camera eye. The Chinese language education and Tibetan cultural community relations have reshaped the ethnic awareness of the post-2000s ITC generation regarding what can be called ‘a safe Chinese Tibetan citizenship’. This study contributes to a new understanding of modern Tibetan authors’ generational relationships, the expressive styles of the female Sinophone-Tibetan filmmaker, and how affective visuality mediates the cultural, political, and gender identity formation of female artists of the post-2000s ITC generation.

Blaze and Sublime — A Preliminary Study on the Aesthetic Characteristics of Red Tangka

The red Thangka not only reflects the Tibetan people’s reverence and yearning for the vitality of life, the brilliance of the sun and the purification of the deity, but also contains the artistic pursuit of fierce and lofty emotions. Through the systematic analysis of 150 works of 20 red Thangka artists, this paper reveals the multiple symbolic meanings of red in red Thangka and the regularity and difference of emotional expression. The results show that the selection and collocation of red is not only the inheritance of traditional Tibetan aesthetics, but also the innovation of modern aesthetic trends. The combination of schematic design, line use and composition form a fiery and lofty aesthetic style of red Thangka. The aesthetic characteristics of red Thangka not only provide us with a new perspective to better understand Tibetan culture, but also provide a rich mass foundation and creative inspiration for the artistic creation and cultural inheritance of red Thangka in the future. The research results confirm that the artistic creation and cultural inheritance of red Thangka have important practical significance and academic value in the sustainable development of Tibetan art and culture.

Promoting socio-religious rights of Tibetan Buddhists in China in the 21st century: Legislators and political realities

Relevance. The study of the formation of relations between the Chinese political elite and Tibetan Buddhism in this period is critical for understanding the main aspects of political, interfaith and intercultural interaction in the region both in the 21st century and today. Purpose. The study aims to analyse how the social and religious rights of Tibetan Buddhist followers are ensured in modern China, taking into account the existing laws and political situation in the 21st century. Methodology. The study employs historical, comparative, and systematic methods to analyze legislative documents, official policies, and scholarly literature in order to examine the socio-religious rights of Tibetan Buddhists in China in the 21st century, considering both legal frameworks and political realities. Results. The study demonstrates the role and importance of international law in the context of the complex religious policy of the Chinese Communist Party. The author shows the influence of the reforms of the communist government on the process of changing the role of traditional religious institutions in public life. The study revealed the impact of reforms on the nature of interethnic relations in the region. The study examines aspects of the ethnic policy of the Communist Party of China on the subsequent process of formation of civil and religious identity in the region. Conclusions. The study concludes that relations between the Chinese Communist Party and Tibetan Buddhist leaders are complex, focusing on lama reincarnation, while government policies significantly impact Tibetan demographics, ethnicity, and culture. Keywords: international law; freedom of religion; conflict; soteriology; regional autonomy; soft power politics

Morphological and molecular characterization of Neoerysiphe galeopsidis causing powdery mildew on Lagopsis supina in central China

Lagopsis supina (Xia Zhi Cao) is a widely distributed and cultivated herbal plant that has been extensively used as a traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine and Mongolian medicine for disease treatments for centuries. While the bioactive compounds of L. supina are extensively studied, the fungal pathogens of this plant are still obscure. In 2021, powdery mildew signs and symptoms were observed on leaves of L. supina in Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China. However, the causal pathogen had not been identified. Therefore, morphological characteristics and molecular analysis was applied to identify the powdery mildew pathogen. The sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungus was obtained and showed 99.83% identity with the previously reported Neoerysiphe galeopsidis. The virulence of this phytopathogen on L. supina was confirmed by utilizing Koch’s postulates. Therefore, we identified the causal pathogen as N. galeopsidis. Based on biological and molecular characterization, this is the first comprehensive report of powdery mildew caused by N. galeopsidis on L. supina in central China. The occurrence of powdery mildew disease on L. supina may detract from the plant’s medical and ornamental value. The identification and confirmation of N. galeopsidis on L. supina expands the knowledge of this causal agent and will support efforts towards future control and management of powdery mildews.

Diverse responses of fungal functional groups to desertification in forest soils of Pinus densata on the Chinese Tibetan plateau

Diverse responses of fungal functional groups to desertification in forest soils of Pinus densata on the Chinese Tibetan plateau

Interaction Between Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-alpha Gene Polymorphism and Helicobacter pylori Infection on Gastric Cancer in a Chinese Tibetan Population.

To investigate the impact of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the HIF1α gene and its interaction with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection on susceptibility to gastric cancer (GC).Logistic regression was used to test the relationship between four SNPs of HIF1α gene and the susceptibility of GC. A generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) model was used to assess the HIF1α gene-H. pylori infection interaction.Logistic regression analysis indicated that both the rs11549465-CT genotype and the T allele were associated with an increased risk of GC, adjusted OR (95% CI) were 1.63 (1.09-2.20) (CT vs. CC) and 1.70 (1.13-2.36) (T vs. C), respectively. We also found that both the rs11549467-A allele and rs11549467-GA genotype were associated with an increased risk of GC, and adjusted OR (95% CI) were 2.21 (1.61-2.86) (GA vs. GG), 2.13 (1.65-2.65) (A vs. G), respectively. However, no statistically significant impact of rs2057482 or rs1957757 on risk of GC was found. The GMDR model indicated a statistically significant two-dimensional model combination (including rs11549467 and H. pylori infection). The selected model had testing balanced accuracy of 0.60 and the best cross-validation consistencies of 10/10 (p = 0.0107). Compared with H. pylori infection negative participants with rs11549467-GG genotype, H. pylori positive participants with the rs11549467-GA genotype had the highest GC risk, the OR (95% CI) was 3.04 (1.98-4.12).The rs11549467-A allele and rs11549467-GA genotype was associated with increased GC risk. Additionally, the gene-environment interaction between HIF-1α-rs11549467 and H. pylori infection was also correlated with an increased risk of GC.

TP-PROFILE: Monitoring the Thermodynamic Structure of the Troposphere over the Third Pole

Ground-based microwave radiometers (MWRs) operating in the K- and V-bands (20–60 GHz) can help us obtain temperature and humidity profiles in the troposphere. Aside from some soundings from local meteorological observatories, the tropospheric atmosphere over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) has never been continuously observed. As part of the Chinese Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP), the Tibetan Plateau Atmospheric Profile (TP-PROFILE) project aims to construct a comprehensive MWR troposphere observation network to study the synoptic processes and environmental changes on the TP. This initiative has collected three years of data from the MWR network. This paper introduces the data information, the data quality, and data downloading. Some applications of the data obtained from these MWRs were also demonstrated. Our comparisons of MWR against the nearest radiosonde observation demonstrate that the TP-PROFILE MWR system is adequate for monitoring the thermal and moisture variability of the troposphere over the TP. The continuous temperature and moisture profiles derived from the MWR data provide a unique perspective on the evolution of the thermodynamic structure associated with the heating of the TP. The TP-PROFILE project reveals that the low-temporal resolution instruments are prone to large uncertainties in their vapor estimation in the mountain valleys on the TP.

Астрология как сакральное экологическое знание в тибетской буддийской традиции

Introduction. The identification of specific responses generated by religious traditions to present-day global challenges actualizes the rethinking of astrology as a traditional understanding of the world structure and influence of natural forces on man in Tibetan Buddhism. Goals. The study attempts an evaluation of astrology as a form of sacred knowledge in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition from the perspective of understanding its principles of ecology. Materials and methods. To facilitate this, the work employs a systematic approach of cultural anthropology according to which sacred astrological knowledge is viewed as an integral element to the specified religious tradition. The paper focuses on The White Beryl: A Treatise on [Tibetan] Astrology by Desi Sangye Gyatso, as well as works by modern Tibetan astrologers. Results. Tibetan astrology arose from integrated Indian, Chinese and ancient Tibetan ideas about the influence of natural elements on human life, and is a required tool in Tibetan medicine. Those ideas are based on some esoteric premises of the Buddhist Kalachakra Tantra which articulates the relationship between external natural cycles and internal human energy ones, as well as suggests methods of restoring the latter’s balance. In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, sacred astrological knowledge is widely popular both in cult practices and non-religious activities. Astrologers draw prediction and natal charts, calculate favorable periods for rituals, healing practices, harvesting, weddings, funerals, etc. The three Lamrim-derived motives — to improve this lifetime, gain liberation from samsaric suffering, achieve enlightenment for the sake of universal well-being — may accordingly direct the intentions of Buddhists toward the use of sacred astrological knowledge to solve problematic situations, identify oneself, understand others, restore the balance of external and internal cycles. With due account of that followers of Tibetan Buddhism are basically oriented to altruism and rationalism, the paper presumes astrology can be considered a form of sacred knowledge instrumental in understanding (and implementing) principles of ecology. Restoration of balance in man-nature interaction through the rational use of astrological knowledge for the common good predetermines the sacredness of ecological knowledge in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Modulation of glycolipid metabolism in T2DM rats by Rubus irritans Focke extract: Insights from metabolic profiling and ERK/IRS-1 signaling pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) plays a crucial role in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, influencing apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation. It connection to the insulin (INS) signaling cascade and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been established. Rubus irritans Focke, an indispensable herb in Chinese Tibetan medicine for diabetes mellitus treatment, lacks a comprehensive understanding of its effects and pharmacological mechanisms in T2DM. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to elucidate the effects of Rubus irritans Focke extract (Rife) on a T2DM rat model, exploring its impact on glycemic and lipid metabolism, histopathological changes, and its potential targeting of the extracellular regulated protein kinase/insulin receptor substrate-1 (ERK/IRS-1) signaling pathway. Materials and methodsA T2DM rat model was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection (40 mg/kg) in high-fat diet-fed (HFD) male Wistar rats. Rife and metformin (Met) were administered for 4 weeks, and glycemic, lipid metabolism indices, and histopathological changes were assessed. Protein expression of ERK, IRS-1 in rat liver tissues was examined to evaluate the impact on the ERK/IRS-1 pathway. ResultsRife reducing hepatic ERK and IRS-1 protein expression in T2DM rats. Untargeted metabolomics identified 13 potential biomarkers and 4 differential metabolic pathways related to glycolipid metabolism disorders. ConclusionsRife demonstrated improved glycolipid metabolism in T2DM rats by inhibiting the ERK/IRS-1 related signaling pathway and influencing multiple metabolic pathways. This study provides valuable insights into the potential therapeutic mechanisms of Rife in the context of T2DM.

Research progress on bioactive constituents and pharmacological effects of Tibetan medicine Sinopodophylli Fructus

Sinopodophylli Fructus is a traditional medicine used by the Tibetan people. It is known for its ability to regulate menstruation and promote blood circulation. Presently, bioactive constituents that have been isolated and identified from Sinopodophylli Fructus mainly include 15 lignans(e.g., podophyllotoxin, deoxypodophyllotoxin, and 4'-demethylpodophyllotoxin) and 20 flavonoids(e.g., quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin). These components exhibit pharmacological effects such as anticancer, antibacterial, and lipid-lowering activities. Additionally, Sinopodophylli Fructus contains other components such as proteins, fatty acids, polysaccharides, vitamins, amino acids, and trace elements. According to the relevant literature reports in China and abroad, this article reviewed the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Sinopodophylli Fructus, aiming to provide references for the development and rational clinical application of this medicinal resource.