Yuzhou Zhuo

Cinnabar (ZS) is a commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but its clinical application is limited owing to mercury (Hg) related toxicity. This study aimed to explore the kidney toxic and related mechanisms of ZS combined with sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃). Eighty specific-pathogen-free (SPF) male Kunming (KM) mice were randomly divided into ten groups: control (0.5% CMC-Na), HgS (50 mg·kg^− 1), ZhuShaAnShenWan (ZSASW) (600 mg·kg^− 1), Hg(NO₃)₂ (1.2 mg·kg^− 1), cinnabar-L(ZS-L) (50 mg·kg^− 1), cinnabar-H (ZS-H) (200 mg·kg^− 1), Na₂SeO₃ (1 mg·kg^− 1), ZS-Na₂SeO₃ (50 mg/kg-1 mg·kg^− 1), HgS-Na₂SeO₃ (50 mg·kg^− 1-1 mg·kg^− 1) and ZSASW-Na₂SeO₃ (600 mg·kg^− 1-1 mg·kg^− 1). All mice received intragastric administration once daily for 30 consecutive days. Kidney contents of Hg, selenium (Se) and other trace elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and related detection instruments. Kidney histopathological lesions, cell apoptosis and serum levels of creatinine (Cre), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid (UA) were detected to assess renal injury. The results demonstrated that the kidney cell apoptosis rate higher in Na₂SeO₃ (P < 0.05) and ZS-H groups (P < 0.05) than in ZS-L and ZS-Na₂SeO₃ combination groups. Serum kidney function indexes were obviously increased in HgS-Na₂SeO₃, Na₂SeO₃ groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The mercury content in the kidneys of the ZS-H group was 10.51 µg·g^− 1, ZS-L group was 7.99 µg·g^− 1, while that of the ZS-Na₂SeO₃ group was 3.43 µg·g^− 1. Inorganic mercury exhibited stronger kidney accumulation capacity than ZS and ZSASW. The toxic effect of ZS is not equivalent to that of inorganic mercury. The content of Hg in kidney was positively correlated with the dose. Co-administration of Na₂SeO₃ and ZS could lower kidney mercury accumulation. This could result from suppressed intestinal Hg absorption or formation of inert in-vivo complexes. Relevant component interactions should be fully considered when evaluating the safety and toxicity of ZS.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) processing is a cultural treasure of the Chinese nation. The vinegar-quenched processing method of mineral medicine is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine theory. Fluoritum is a commonly used clinical drug in Chinese medicine. Its microstructure and chemical composition will change after vinegar quenching, which will reduce its toxicity and enhance its efficacy. However, the study of chemical composition changes during vinegar quenching is insufficient. The purpose of our study is to compare the chemical composition in differences of fluoritum vinegar processed products from the aspects of microstructure, content of main and trace elements, content of organic elements. The microstructure, content of carbon and nitrogen elements, main and trace elements of fluoritum were observed by thermal field emission scanning, energy spectrum, organic element analyzer, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The results showed that the particles of vinegar quenched water flying fluoritum processing product became more finer and uniform than other processing product (RSD = 18.9%). The contents of carbon and nitrogen in the vinegar quenched water flying fluoritum processing products are 0.185% and 0.028%, and their contents are increased by nearly 4 and 5 times than fluoritum raw product, respectively. There was no significant change in CaF₂ content in different fluoritum processing products (RSD = 1.61%), but the iron content has nearly doubled. The trace elements in fluoritum show that the contents of different trace elements in fluoritum are very different (RSD = 230%). The elements whose content increased significantly after the vinegar quenched water flying were Li, V, Zn, Ga, Cr (RSD = 80%,RSD = 84.2%,Zn content has never been detected to 11.3 μg.g^-1, RSD = 62.3%, RSD = 51.3%). The elements content with decreased are Tl, W (RSD = 25.4%, RSD = 79.5%). The vinegar quenched water flying processing method can be listed as the best processing method for fluoritum because it can make the fluoritum particles smaller and more uniform, increase the content of organic matter and remove toxic and harmful metal elements. The decrease of grain size, the increase of contents of carbon, nitrogen and iron and the decrease of toxic elements Tl, W and U may be the important reasons for the enhancement of efficiency and reduction of toxicity of fluoritum vinegar-quenched processing.

The Youjiang metallogenic province (YMP) is a famous ore-concentrating area in South China, known for its substantial Carlin-type gold deposits, antimony deposits, and mercury deposits. Previous studies have yielded conflicting views regarding the ages of mineralization in this area, particularly regarding the occurrence of Yanshanian versus Indosinian ore-forming events during the Mesozoic era. To resolve these discrepancies, this study utilized in situ LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating on carbonate minerals from the Lannigou Carlin-type Au deposit, the Lanmuchang Hg-(Tl) deposit, and the Sixiangchang Hg deposit to accurately determine their mineralization ages. Our results indicate that the three deposits formed at 137 ± 9 Ma, ~97 Ma, and 454 ± 21 Ma, respectively. By integrating previously reported geochronological data, we propose that the low-temperature Au-As-Sb-Hg-Tl deposits in the YMP were formed during two major periods, Late Triassic and Late Jurassic to Cretaceous, with the latter being more prevalent. Additionally, there was a Paleozoic hydrothermal mercury mineralization event at the northeastern edge of this region. These newly acquired data significantly enhance our understanding of multistage, low-temperature mineralization events in the YMP. Our study also demonstrates that in situ carbonate U-Pb dating is an excellent method for investigating the timing of low-temperature mineralization events.