Chinese Herbal Medicine Research Articles

Cinnamaldehyde Regulates the Migration and Apoptosis of Gastric Cancer Cells by Inhibiting the Jak2/Stat3 Pathway.

Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality all around the world. Because of its poor prognosis and low survival rate, the treatment of gastric cancer has received extensive attention. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is the main single active component of the Chinese herbal medicine cinnamon, which has a variety of pharmacological effects. The inhibitory effect of CA on the growth of some tumor cells has been proven, but its therapeutic effect on gastric cancer has rarely been reported. Through network pharmacology, bioinformatics methods, and molecular docking technology, we predicted the interaction targets of CA and gastric cancer. Moreover, we found that apoptosis is an important mode of action of CA on gastric cancer cells. Subsequently, we validated it in gastric cancer cell lines cultured in vitro. The results showed that in the presence of CA, the Jak2/Stat3 pathway was inhibited, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax decreased, and the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells was promoted in a concentration-dependent. In conclusion, CA can promote the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting the activity of the Jak2/Stat3 pathway, which may achieve the effect of treating gastric cancer.

Study on the uptake of Gastrodin in the liver

BackgroundGastrodin is the active monomer of the Chinese herb Rhizoma Gastrodiae with the largest quantity of active components. Gastrodin is commonly used in the treatment of central nervous system disorders such as headaches and epilepsy due to its sedating and hypnotic properties. Its pharmacological mechanism and clinical application have been extensively explored due to its low toxicity. MethodsTo investigate the molecular mechanism of hepatic uptake of Gastrodin in rats, animals were randomly assigned to three groups: control group, rifampicin (RIF) group, and adrenalone (ADR) group. Blood samples were collected through the cardiac puncture 90, 180, and 300 min after injection, respectively. Rats were sacrificed 300 min after administration, and liver tissue was collected. Gastrodin concentration was determined by HPLC, and the Kp value was calculated. ResultsAfter administering the inhibitors of organic cation transporters (OCTs) and organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs), the KP values in the experimental groups were significantly lower compared to the blank control group (P < 0.05). ConclusionsThese findings imply that Gastrodin may be a substrate for both OCTs and OATPs.

Study on the fourof Pfaffia glomerata based on the metabolomics technology and comparison of Dangshen () in the equivalent substitution prescription.

To explore the four Qiof Pfaffia glomerata (PG) and endow this foreign folk herb with the properties of Chinese medicine, make it Chinese medicinal and localized, and could be used as a Chinese medicine. The normal group, six cold herb groups, six hot herb groups, six cool herb groups, PG prescription group (PGPG), and Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis) prescription group (CPPG) were prepared with corresponding concentrations of water extracts, these herb extracts were administered by gavage to Sprague-Dawley rats, and the 12 h urine at night on the 29th day of the SD rats in each group were collected, Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer system was used to analyze them, the best discriminant models for the medicinal properties of cold-hot and cold-cool were set up, so as to the medicinal properties of PGPG, CPPG and PG were predicted. Based on the Progenesis QI, Human Metabolome Database, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, MetaboAnalyst 5.0 database, we enriched metabolic pathway and classification mechanism of medicinal properties of cold-cool Chinese herbs and the molecular mechanism of PG prescription. We established a best model of cold-hot herbal discrimination in the positive ion mode, then the probability that PGPG was predicted cold property was 88.9%. Furthermore, a model of cold-cool herbal discrimination was established, then the probability of PGPG containing the cool property was 77.8%. In addition, typical cold and cool herbs mainly affected nine biomarkers such as tyrosine-proline, (R)-3',7-Dihydroxy-2',4'-dimethoxyisoflavane in rats. The regulation trend of PGPG on markers was basically as same as the cool herbs and mainly involved in regulating the two pathways of cytochrome P450 and purine metabolism. The results showed PGPG had a cool medicinal property as same as CPPG, and the regulation trend of PGPG on markers was consistent with cool herbs. Therefore, the medicine properties PG and CP should be consistent, and the Traditional Chinese Medicine property of PG was predicted to be neutral.

Therapeutic potential of Chinese medicinal herbs stimulating osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a common and complex chronic metabolic disease with an increasing incidence rate, which has markedly increased the human health burden worldwide. The predominant cause of OP is an imbalance between osteoblasts (OB) and osteoclasts (OC). Studies on the correlation between bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and OP have indicated that BMSCs-induced OB differentiation is an important pathway for bone tissue renewal. Chinese medicinal herbs have been used for centuries to treat various types of OPs because they are safer and more effective. The in vivo and in vitro experiments have confirmed that these herbs or their primary phytochemicals may exert therapeutic effects by stimulating BMSCs differentiation, which restores OB and OP balance, inhibits adipocyte differentiation, exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, regulates the immune system, etc. This review summarizes the research on how Chinese medicinal herbs or their primary phytochemicals treat OP by stimulating BMSC differentiation and provides a scientifically reliable basis and perspective for their future clinical application.

Clinical comparative efficacy and therapeutic strategies for the Hashimoto's thyroiditis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Ethnopharmacological relevanceVitamin D (VD), selenium preparations (Se), and thyroid hormone replacement therapy are commonly used to treat Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). Increasing evidence suggests that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an effective therapeutic strategy in the treatment of HT. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of commonly-used drugs for HT. Materials and methodsA literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Chinese China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Clinical Trial Registry (Chi CTR), China Science and Technology Journal Database (the VIP), Wanfang Database, and China Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2022. The outcomes included TPOAb, TgAb, TSH, FT3, FT4, and adverse events. Our study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023449705). ResultsSixty trials and 4719 participants were included, comparing 16 treatments: VD, Se, LT-4, Se + LT-4, HM, placebo + LT-4, HM + LT-4, Se + myolnositol, Se + VD, HM + Se, mannan peptide, LT-4+prednisone, Methimazole, Methimazole + HM, Tapazole + Propranolol, and placebo. We found that Chinese herbal medicine has significant effect vs. LT-4 [MD 0.10, 95 % confidence interval 0.02 to 0.50]) and LT-4+placebo [MD 0.10, 95 % confidence interval 0.01 to 0.77]) in reducing TPOAb. Although receiving LT-4+prednisone was not statistically significant, the treatment ranking showed that this combination therapy had the highest probability of reducing TPOAb levels (72.8 %). In addition, the effect of Se plus LT-4 was not statistically significant; however, the treatment ranking showed that this combination therapy had the highest probability (78.6 %) of reducing TgAb levels, followed by HM (64.0 %). Reports on side effects have mainly focused on the digestive and cardiovascular systems. ConclusionOur analyses showed that HM alone or in combination with other treatments for patients with HT can improve the side effects of other drugs, enhance efficacy, and maybe the most effective option for treating HT. However, there still need further verified using high-quality evidence.

Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Protects Primary Cardiomyocytes Against Radiation-Induced Myocardial Injury via the p38 Pathway.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS), which is extracted from a Chinese medicinal herb, possesses many pharmacologic functions, such as coronary dilation, anti-inflammatory properties, and antiapoptotic and antioxidant effects. It remains unknown whether STS can protect cardiomyocytes injured after radiation therapy. An in vitro Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat neonatal cardiomyocyte system was established. Primary cardiomyocytes (PCMs) from neonatal SD rats were isolated under sterile conditions. PCM cells were divided into a control group (0 Gy/hour) and 5 experimental radiation therapy groups (0.25 Gy/hour, 0.5 Gy/hour, 1 Gy/hour, 2 Gy/hour, and 4 Gy/hour). Cell viability, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage rate, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) activities were recorded separately in each group after 7 days of culture. Western blot was used to detect the levels of p38, caspase-3 protein, and X protein (BAX) associated with B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) in PCMs. X-rays inhibited cell growth, decreased cell viability, and induced an oxidative stress response in PCMs. STS and SB203580 (the inhibitor of P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway) alleviated X-ray-induced damage to PCMs. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that X-rays increased the cTnT level. STS and SB203580 ameliorated the X-ray-induced increase in cTnT leakage. X-rays enhanced the expression of p38/p-p38 and caspase-3 while reducing the expression of Bcl-2/BAX in PCMs, as demonstrated by western blotting. STS and SB203580 mitigated the changes in protein expression triggered by X-ray radiation. In conclusions, STS was shown to exert significant cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in PCMs by inhibiting the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Influence of composition changes of Strobilanthes cusia bioactive compounds induced by the hydrolysis and condensation of indican on pathogen biofilm

Strobilanthes cusia is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb containing indole alkaloids, key bioactive components responsible for its pharmacological effects. However, there has been limited research regarding S. cusia compositional impact on antimicrobial properties. This study centered around the hydrolysis and oxidative condensation reactions of indican, aiming to investigate the influence of its intermediate, indoxyl, on pathogenic bacteria growth and biofilm formation. A notable inhibitory effect of indoxyl on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation was found. High-performance liquid chromatography and transmission electron microscopy confirmed that indoxyl disrupted the membrane structure of biofilm cells, causing a disturbance in cellular redox balance. These findings suggest that the oxidative reaction of indoxyl within cells could be a prominent factor affecting cell viability. Simultaneously, a portion of indoxyl oxidized externally to form indigo, which did not affect intracellular activities but rather disrupted the biofilm structure. The concept of “compositional changes” enriches the understanding of antimicrobial properties of S. cusia, offering novel approaches for effectively inhibiting pathogenic microorganisms.

A review of tanshinone compounds in prostate cancer treatment.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant epithelial tumors in men worldwide. PCa patients are initially sensitive to chemotherapy, but patients in the advanced stages of PCa eventually develop resistance, leaving them with limited therapeutic options. Therefore, it is very important to screen new drugs for treating PCa. Salvia miltiorrhiza is a common Chinese herbal medicine used in some Asian countries. It has many functions and is widely used to treat a variety of diseases, including heart diseases and cancers. For the past few years, research has shown that liposoluble constituents of tanshinones (TANs), including cryptotanshinone, TAN IIA, dihydrotanshinone I, and TAN I, exhibit good anticancer activity in PCa. In this study, we review the progress of TAN compounds (cryptotanshinone, TAN IIA, dihydrotanshinone I, and TAN I) in treating PCa over the past decade. These compounds can act on the same molecular mechanisms, as they have a very similar structure; they are also found to work slightly differently in PCa. According to current studies, compared with other TAN compounds, TAN IIA appears to hold more potential for treating PCa. The toxicity, side effects or biodistribution of Salvia miltiorrhiza and these four TANs need to be confirmed with further research. Findings obtained in this study may provide important information for the potential clinical application of cryptotanshinone, TAN IIA, dihydrotanshinone I, and TAN I in the treatment of PCa.

Synthesis of novel hydrophilic celastrol nanoformulation by entrapment within calcium phosphate nanoparticle and study of its antioxidant activity against neurotoxin-induced damage in human neuroblastoma cells

Celastrol, a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii, is considered as one of the top-five natural medicinal compounds with high antioxidant property. However, celastrol has poor aqueous solubility and thereby low bioavailability, restricting its clinical application as drug. To overcome this problem, we nanonized celastrol by entrapping it within hydrophilic nanocarrier – calcium phosphate nanoparticle. The synthesized calcium phosphate celastrol nanoparticle (CPCN) had average size of 35 nm, spherical shape, significant stability with (−) 37 mV zeta potential, celastrol entrapment efficiency around 75 % and low celastrol release kinetics spanning over 7 days, as measured by different techniques like FESEM, AFM, DLS, and spectrophotometry. Studies on the antioxidant potency of CPCN by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy depicted that the toxicity developed in human neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y by treatment with the selective neurotoxin MPP+ iodide (N-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide) got reduced by pretreatment of the cells with CPCN. Determination of cellular ROS content, depolarization level of mitochondrial membrane potential, cell cycle analysis and nuclear damage in MPP+-exposed cells demonstrated that CPCN had about 65 % more antioxidant efficacy over that of bulk celastrol. Thus, the nanonization process transformed hydrophobic celastrol into hydrophilic CPCN, having high potentiality to be developed as an effective antioxidant drug.

Mechanistic study of fructus aurantii (Quzhou origin) in regulating ileal reg3g in the treatment for NASH

BackgroundNon-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a critical stage in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by obvious inflammation and fibrosis. Because of its high incidence rate and serious consequences, NASH is becoming a global health problem. The influence of endotoxin translocation on NASH is receiving attention. As a traditional Chinese herb that effectively improves hepatic inflammation, Fructus Aurantii (Quzhou origin, FAQ) is widely used in the clinical treatment of NASH. However, the intervention mechanism of FAQ on reg3g and related endotoxin translocation remains unclear. AimTo study the mechanism of the impact by which ileal regenerating family member 3 gamma (reg3g) deficiency and subsequent endotoxin translocation impact the progression of NASH; To elucidate the efficacy and mechanism of FAQ in the treatment of NASH. MethodsClinical serum, ileal tissue, and dynamic NASH model-related analyses collectively confirmed that reg3g is a pivotal gene associated with NASH. Reg3g−/− mice were used to assess the impact of reg3g on liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis, as well as the underlying mechanism involved. In vitro studies elucidated the regulatory effects of FAQ on reg3g, intestinal barrier function, and intestinal permeability. Subsequently, the efficacy of FAQ was investigated in NASH mouse models. Pathological examinations combined with Western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and multiplex immunohistochemical (mIHC) analyses were used to evaluate the effects of FAQ on mucosal repair and barrier function. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 4 (FD-4) experiments, coupled with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and chromogenic LAL endotoxin assay were used to confirm intestinal permeability and endotoxin translocation. The results of WB and mIHC reflected the levels of endotoxin recruitment and M1 macrophage polarization in the liver. Parameters such as body weight, transaminases, and cholesterol were utilized to assess the metabolic effects of FAQ. ResultsDecreased expression of reg3g was associated with the progression of NASH. Ileal deficiency in reg3g resulted in damage to the intestinal barrier and permeability, leading to the recruitment of endotoxins via the 'gut-liver' axis to the liver, causing the polarization of M1 macrophages, release of inflammatory factors, excessive inflammation, and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), leading to fibrosis. FAQ significantly upregulated ileal reg3g expression and the expression of intestinal barrier-related proteins tight junction protein 1 (ZO-1) and occludin (OLCN) in mice (p < 0.05), thereby improving intestinal barrier function and permeability. Reduced intestinal permeability led to decreases in endotoxins entering the bloodstream and accumulating in the liver (p < 0.05). The expression of CD68 suggested reduced polarization of M1 macrophages. Expression levels of actin alpha 2, smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related proteins also decreased, indicating improved liver fibrosis. ConclusionFAQ ameliorates NASH by upregulating the expression of reg3g. The upregulation of reg3g contributes to the repair of the intestinal barrier and permeability, reducing the recruitment of endotoxins and subsequent polarization of M1 macrophages, excessive inflammation, and fibrosis.

Geraniin from the methanol extract of Pilea mongolica suppresses LPS-induced inflammatory responses by inhibiting IRAK4/MAPKs/NF-κB/AP-1 pathway in HaCaT cells

The skin acts as a vital barrier, shielding the body from external threats that can trigger dryness, itching, and inflammation. Pilea mongolica, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, holds promise for various ailments, yet its anti-inflammatory properties remain understudied. This study aimed to explore the potential anti-inflammatory effects of the methanol extract of P. mongolica (MEPM) and its underlying molecular mechanisms and active compounds in LPS-stimulated human keratinocytes. MEPM treatment, at concentrations without cytotoxicity, significantly decreased NO productions and the iNOS, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels in LPS-induced HaCaT cells. Moreover, MEPM suppressed IRAK4 expression and phosphorylation of JNK, ERK, p38, p65, and c-Jun, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory effects of MEPM result from the inhibition of IRAK4/MAPK/NF-κB/AP-1 signaling pathway. Through LC/MS/MS analysis, 30 compounds and 24 compounds were estimated in negative and positive modes, respectively, including various anti-inflammatory compounds, such as corilagin and geraniin. Through HPLC analysis, geraniin was found to be present in MEPM at a concentration of 18.87 mg/g. Similar to MEPM, geraniin reduced iNOS mRNA expression and inhibited NO synthesis. It also decreased mRNA and protein levels of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-α, and inhibited IRAK4 expression and the phosphorylation of MAPKs, NF-κB, and AP-1 pathways. Therefore, it can be inferred that the anti-inflammatory effects of MEPM are attributable to geraniin. Thus, MEPM and its active compound geraniin are potential candidates for use in natural functional cosmetics.

Phytochemical Research and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Ethanol Extract from Anoectochilus Roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl.

Anoectochilus roxburghii is a well-known and valuable traditional Chinese herb due to various medicinal and functional benefits. In-depth investigation is necessary to discover active ingredients and expand its application. In this study, four new compounds (1-4) along with ten known compounds (5-14) were isolated from the ethanol extract of A.roxburghii. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation. The isolates were screened for their inhibitory activities on the production of NO in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Among them, compounds 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity through inhibiting the release of NO.

Paeoniflorin Promotes Ovarian Development in Mice by Activating Mitophagy and Preventing Oxidative Stress.

During the development of animal organs, various adverse stimuli or toxic environments can induce oxidative stress and delay ovarian development. Paeoniflorin (PF), the main active ingredient of the traditional Chinese herb Paeonia lactiflora Pall., has protective effects on various diseases by preventing oxidative stress. However, the mechanism by which PF attenuates oxidative damage in mouse ovaries remains unclear. We evaluated the protective effects of PF on ovaries in an H2O2-induced mouse oxidative stress model. The H2O2-induced mouse ovarian oxidative stress model was used to explore the protective effect of PF on ovarian development. Histology and follicular development were observed. We then detected related indicators of cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy in mouse ovaries. We found that PF inhibited H2O2-induced ovarian cell apoptosis and ferroptosis and promoted granulosa cell proliferation. PF prevented oxidative stress by increasing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression levels. In addition, the autophagic flux of ovarian cells was activated and was accompanied by increased lysosomal biogenesis. Moreover, PF-mediated autophagy was involved in clearing mitochondria damaged by H2O2. Importantly, PF administration significantly increased the number of primordial follicles, primary follicles, secondary follicles, and antral follicles. PF administration improved ovarian sizes compared with the H2O2 group. The present study suggested that PF administration reversed H2O2-induced ovarian developmental delay and promoted follicle development. PF-activated mitophagy is crucial for preventing oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial quality.

The issue and abolition of the Interim Regulations on Chinese Medicine Shops and Western Pharmacy Registration in the period of the Republic of China

The Interim Regulations on Chinese Medicine Shops and Western Pharmacy Registration issued by the Shanghai Bureau of Illegal Drugs in 1922, required that Chinese medicine shops in Shanghai area be audited, registered and pay registration fees. This regulation was abolished along with the dissolution of the Shanghai Bureau of Illegal Drugs in 1925. The Interim Regulations on Chinese Medicine Shops and Western Pharmacy Registration drove people, to some extent, to attach the importance and awareness of Chinese medicine and its administration. While it had some problems, such as improper intention and unclear concepts in the period of the Republic of China, a sound system for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) administration had not been established. It confirmed that Chinese materia medica has its unique knowledge system and development form, therefore, should not be uniformly administered as Western medicine. It indicated that TCM pharmacy administration should have a reasonable system and channels to promote the development of the Chinese materia medica industry.

Plant-Derived Chinese Herbal Hydrogel Microneedle Patches for Wound Healing.

Several natural Chinese herbal medicines have demonstrated considerable potential in facilitating wound healing, while the primary concern remains centered around optimizing formulation and structure to maximize their efficacy. To address this, a natural microneedles drug delivery system is proposed that harnesses gelatinized starch and key Chinese herbal ingredients-aloe vera and berberine. After gelatinized and aged in a well-designed mold, the starch-based microneedles are fabricated with suitable mechanical strength to load components. The resulting Chinese herbal hydrogel microneedles, enriched with integrated berberine and aloe, exhibit antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and fibroblast growth-promoting properties, thereby facilitating wound healing in the whole process. In vivo experimental results underscore the notable achievements of the microneedles in early-stage antibacterial effects and subsequent tissue reconstruction, contributing significantly to the overall wound healing process. These results emphasize the advantageous combination of traditional Chinese medicine with microneedles, presenting a novel strategy for wound repair and opening new avenues for the application of traditional Chinese medicine.

Evaluating the therapeutic effects of NiaoDuQing particles on chronic kidney disease based on real world study.

NiaoDuQing Particle is the first Chinese herbal medicine approved by the China Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of chronic kidney disease. It has been used in clinical practice in China for over twenty years. However, there is limited literature reporting on the long-term therapeutic effects of NiaoDuQing Particles on chronic kidney disease patients. This research aimed to comprehensively assess the therapeutic effect of NiaoDuQing Particles (NDQP) on chronic kidney disease patients based on clinical data analysis. This study was carried out on a total of 148 participants diagnosed with different types of chronic kidney disease. Demographics information, chronic kidney disease classification and chronic kidney disease diganostic indicators were collected and analyzed before and after NiaoDuQing Particles treatment for 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months respectively. In all 148 patients, mean eGFR value was increased after NiaoDuQing Particles treatment for up to 18 months, and was statistically significant at month 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 (P< 0.05). Mean uric acid value was decreased after NiaoDuQing Particles treatment for up to 18 months, and was statistically significant at month 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 (P< 0.05). Mean urea nitrogen value was decreased after NiaoDuQing Particles treatment for up to 18 months and was statistically significant at month 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 (P< 0.05). While mean creatinine value was decreased after NiaoDuQing Particles treatment for up to 18 months and was statistically significant at month 6 (P< 0.05). NiaoDuQing Particles could maintain the stable state of chronic kidney disease patients for up to 18 months especially in improving diagnostic indicators like eGFR, uric acid and urea nitrogen.

Comprehensive Comparison of Three Different Medicinal Parts of Eupatorium lindleyanum DC. Using the RRLC-Q-TOF-MS-Based Metabolic Profile and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Eupatorium lindleyanum DC. (EL) is a traditional Chinese herb known for its phlegm-reducing, cough-relieving and asthma-calming properties. It is widely used for treating cough and bronchitis. However, preliminary experiments have revealed wide variations in the composition of its different medicinal parts (flowers, leaves and stems), and the composition and efficacy of its different medicinal parts remain largely underexplored at present. In this study, non-targeted rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with a quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF-MS)-based metabolomics approach was developed to investigate the differences in the chemical composition of different medicinal parts of EL. We identified or tentatively identified 9 alkaloids, 11 flavonoids, 14 sesquiterpene lactones, 3 diterpenoids and 24 phenolic acids. In addition, heatmap visualization, quantitative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-PDA) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) showed particularly high levels of sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids and phenolic acids in the flowers, such as eupalinolide A and B and chlorogenic acid, among others. The leaves also contained some flavonoid sesquiterpene lactones and phenolic acids, while the stems were almost absent. The findings of in vitro activity studies indicated that the flowers exhibited a notable inhibitory effect on the release of the inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6, surpassing the anti-inflammatory efficacy observed in the leaves. Conversely, the stems demonstrated negligible anti-inflammatory activity. The variations in anti-inflammatory activity among the flowers, leaves and stems of EL can primarily be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, phenolic acids and sesquiterpene lactones in both the flowers and leaves. Additionally, the flowers contain a higher concentration of these active components compared to the leaves. These compounds mediate their anti-inflammatory effects through distinct biochemical pathways. The results of this study are anticipated to provide a scientific basis for the rational and effective utilization of EL resources.

Exploring the potential mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine Fuzi on aplastic anemia based on UHPLC-MS/MS method combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking

To reveal the potential mechanism of the effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine Fuzi on Aplastic anaemia (AA) according to the network pharmacology approach and molecular docking. According to Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), 146 chemical ingredients of Fuzi were obtained. By SwissADME online system analysis, a total of 55 compounds such as Magnoflorine, Scutellarein, Luteolin and Gingerol may be the main active components of Fuzi and 145 common targets related to AA were predicted. 17 targets such as MAPK1, AKT1 and GRB2 were considered as hub targets. KEGG and GO enrichment analysis obtained 122 signalling pathways and 950 remarkable results. These results suggested that Fuzi exerted pharmacological effects on AA mainly by regulating PI3K-Akt, MAPK and JAK-STAT signalling pathways and epithelial cell proliferation, cell differentiation, regulate energy production and other biological processes. Meanwhile, molecular docking results showed that the hub targets had good binding ability with the main active ingredients.

A detection method of Saposhnikovia divaricata seed vigor based on near-infrared spectral feature extraction

Saposhnikovia divaricata is an important Chinese herbal medicine, the rapid detection of seed vigor is of great significance and practical value for the breeding selection and cultivation production of Saposhnikovia divaricata varieties. It was difficult to solve the problem of rapid testing technology of Saposhnikovia divaricate seed of the shortcomings of traditional chemical testing methods, such as cumbersome operation, time-consuming, easy to cause seed damage, and so on. In this paper, a rapid method for detecting seed vigor was processed for the Saposhnikovia divaricata based on near-infrared spectral feature extraction. First, 612 sets of near-infrared spectral data were obtained using a Fourier transform near-infrared spectrometer, and randomly divided into a calibration set and prediction set according to the ratio of 3:1. Then, the spectral data were preprocessed by the multivariate scatter correction method (MSC), the successive projection algorithm (SPA) was used to extract the feature wave numbers of spectral data. A total of 5 feature wave numbers were selected from the original 1845 wave numbers, with a streamlining rate of 99.73 %. Finally, a detection method of seed vigor was constructed based on the radial basis function neural network (RBF) with 5 feature wave numbers as input data. A network structure of the model MSC-SPA-RBF is of type 5-48-3, the accuracy of seed vigor detection was 99.0 %, and the detection time was 0.0033 s. The result indicates that the established model is a fast, non-destructive, and accurate method for detecting seed vigor of Saposhnikovia divaricata, which provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the rapid detection of Saposhnikovia divaricata seed vigor.

Evaluation of Chinese herbal medicine's neuroprotective effects: Regulation for neurological disorders

Chinese herbal medicine is a type of medicine composed of plants unique to China, which has been found to have significant neuroprotective effects in recent years. The research on its neuroprotective mechanism has become a hot topic. At present, neuroprotective mechanisms have been found to be closely related to balancing ion channels, inhibiting apoptosis of nerve cells and promoting nerve growth. In this work, we summarize the recent progress of research on neuroprotective mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine and the existing clinical trials.The significance of this study is not only to summarize its therapeutic mechanism, but also to improve the status of Chinese herbal medicine at the international level. It is hoped that more international scholars will join in the research of Chinese herbal medicine.