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Textual research on the composition of the Maimendong Decoction in Classic of the Golden Chamber and Jade Sheath
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026, 49(5): 623-628
Published: 14 April 2026
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The Maimendong Decoction from the Classic of the Golden Chamber and Jade Sheath is a lesser-known classical prescription. According to the existing fine edition (the CHEN Shijie edition), its composition includes six Chinese medicinal herbs: radix ophiopogonis, pinelliae rhizoma, radix ginseng, radix glycyrrhizae, oryzae semen, and fructus jujubae, which is completely identical to Maimendong Decoction in the Synopsis of Golden Chamber. However, the processing method and post-prescription notes for Maimendong Decoction in the extant Classic of the Golden Chamber and Jade Sheath do not conform to the editorial conventions established by the Song Dynasty editors, indicating that it is not the original form after their revision. Further research reveals possible reasons for this discrepancy: the prescription for Maimendong Decoction in the Classic of the Golden Chamber and Jade Sheath was already lost by the time CHEN Shijie obtained a handwritten copy in 1712 during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. When CHEN Shijie published the Classic of the Golden Chamber and Jade Sheath, he supplemented it based on the Maimendong Decoction from the DENG Zhen edition of the Synopsis of Golden Chamber. Analysis of the administration method and formula characteristics of the Maimendong Decoction supplemented by CHEN Shijie shows that the supplemented formula does not seem to correspond appropriately to the disease it purportedly treats. Through textual, it is concluded that the composition of Maimendong Decoction in the Classic of the Golden Chamber and Jade Sheath should be consistent with the Maimendong Decoction "for treating relapse due to overexertion" recorded in medical texts such as Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, Book to Safeguard Life Arranged according to a Classified Pattern, and New Book of Pediatrics. Its composition includes radix ophiopogonis, fructus jujubae, herba lophatheri, radix glycyrrhizae, and oryzae semen. Further analysis combining the original text passage and the formula composition defines its clinical application. It is proposed that this formula is suitable for treating "relapse of cold damage" characterized by external pathogenic heat and internal deficiency of both fluids and qi. Its pattern is primarily marked by fever, accompanied by manifestations such as scant qi and a sense of exhaustion, emaciation, dry mouth, intense thirst, fatigue, reluctance to speak, scanty coating of the tongue, and thin weak pulse.

Open Access Original Article Issue
Effects of an immunosuppressive active component of Periplocae Cortex (Periploca sepium Bge.) on positive selection of thymocytes in vitro
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2018, 5(2): 161-167
Published: 28 March 2018
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Objective

To determine the effect of an immunosuppressive active component (periploside A) isolated from the stem bark of Periplocae Cortex (Periploca sepium Bge.), a Chinese medicinal herb used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis for centuries in China, on positive selection of thymocytes in vitro.

Methods

Female C57BL/6 mice at 6 weeks of age were housed in specific pathogen-free conditions. Double-positive thymocytes from C57BL/6 mice were induced into positive selection in vitro with or without periploside A treatment. Cell viability and expression of CD69, CD4, and CD8 were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

Flow cytometric examination of thymocyte populations revealed that the percentage of CD8+ single-positive thymocytes was decreased by periploside A upon differentiation induced by an anti-CD3 antibody. However, the percentage of CD4+ single-positive thymocytes was decreased by periploside A upon differentiation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ionomycin. Expression of CD69 plays a major role in prohibiting differentiation of thymocytes. Treatment with periploside A decreased CD69 expression in thymocytes.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that periploside A influences positive selection of thymocytes in vitro.

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