Single Herb Research Articles

Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease Via the Regulation of the Gut Microbiota With Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is caused by a variety of factors, and one of the most important factors is gut microbiota dysbiosis. An imbalance in the gut mincrobiota have been shown to change the concentrations of lipopolysaccharide and short-chain fatty acids. These microorganisms synthesize substances that can influence the levels of a variety of metabolites and cause multiple diseases through the immune response, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism pathways. Furthermore, these metabolic changes promote the formation of β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Thus, the microbiota-gut-brain axis plays an important role in AD development. In addition to traditional therapeutic drugs such as donepezil and memantine, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have also showed to significantly decrease the severity of AD symptoms and suppress the underlying related mechanisms. We searched for studies on the effects of different herbal monomers, single herbs, and polyherbal formulas on the gut microbiota of AD patients and identified the relevant pathways through which the gut microbiota affected AD. We conclude that improvements in the gut microbiota not only decrease the occurrence of inflammatory reactions but also reduce the deposition of central pathological products. Herbal monomers have a stronger effect on improving of central pathology. Polyherbal formulas have the most extensive effect on the gut microbiota in patients with AD. Among the effects of formulas, the anti-inflammatory effect is the most essential and is also the main concern regarding the use of TCMs in treating AD from the viewpoint of the gut microbiota. We hope that this review will be helpful for providing new ideas for the clinical application of TCMs in the treatment of AD.

The crucial component(s) of Guizhi Fuling Wan in inhibiting endometriosis development

Ethnopharmacological relevanceEndometriosis is a common gynecological disorder that manifests as chronic pelvic pain and subfertility. Guizhi Fuling Wan (GFW), which contains five herbs, was first described in Chinese canonical medicine to treat qi stagnation and circulation. Although the inhibition of endometriosis by GFW has been previously demonstrated, its efficacy could potentially be improved by adjusting the dose of each component. AimThis study aimed to examine the relative importance of herbs in endometriosis treatment. Materials and methodsEndometriosis was induced in C57BL/6NCrlBltw mice, followed by treatment with H2O, GFW, all individual herbs of GFW, and GFW with sequential deletion of a single herb for 28 days. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were performed to examine the expression of inflammatory and apoptotic markers. ResultsThe endometriosis-inhibiting effect of GFW was reduced by deletion of either Guizhi or Fuling. Guizhi, Fuling, or Taoren alone also inhibit the development of endometriosis. The reduction in intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) by GFW was attenuated by deletion of Guizhi, Fuling, or Taoren, whereas either Guizhi or Fuling alone decreased ICAM-1 expression. The deletion of either Guizhi or Fuling diminished the enhancement of caspase-3 by GFW, whereas caspase-3 expression was elevated by either Guizhi or Fuling alone. ConclusionDeletion of either Guizhi or Fuling attenuated the inhibition of endometriosis development, while either Guizhi or Fuling alone maintained the endometriosis-inhibiting effect of GFW. Consistent with the description in the canonical literature of traditional Chinese medicine, this study revealed that Guizhi and Fuling are the most crucial components of GFW in treating endometriosis, as they are the emperor drugs of this formula, whereas Taoren is a minister drug.

On review on herbal drug and drug interactions

Herbal drugs are defined as any form of a plant or plant product that contains a single herb or combinations of herbs that are believed to have complementary effects. Although they are considered to be safe, because they are natural, they may have various adverse effects, and may interact with other herbal products or conventional drugs. These interactions are especially important for drugs with narrow therapeutic indices. Concurrent use of herbs may mimic, magnify, or oppose the effect of drugs. Plausible cases of herb-drug interactions include: bleeding when warfarin is combined with ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), garlic (Allium sativum), dong quai (Angelica sinensis), or danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza); mild serotonin syndrome in patients who mix St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) with serotonin-reuptake inhibitors; decreased bioavailability of digoxin, theophylline, cyclosporin, and phenprocoumon when these drugs are combined with St John’s wort; induction of maniain depressed patients who mix antidepressants and Panax ginseng; exacerbation of extrapyramidal effects with neuroleptic drugs and betel nut (Areca catechu); increased risk of hypertension when tricyclic antidepressants are combined with yohimbine (Pausinystalia yohimbe); potentiation of oral and topical corticosteroids by liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra); decreased blood concentrations of prednisolone when taken with the Chinese herbal product xaio chai hu tang (sho-saiko-to); and decreased concentrations of phenytoin when combined with the Ayurvedic syrup shankhapushpi. Anthranoid-containing plants (including senna [Cassia senna] and cascara [Rhamnus purshiana]) and soluble fibres (including guar gum and psyllium) can decrease the absorption of drugs.

Effect of SiHuangQingXinWan on Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced pneumonia: mechanistic insights.

Due to the high mortality rate and increasing severity of antibiotic resistance, there is a growing interest in new treatments for Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP)-induced pneumonia. Research has shown that the single herbs of SiHuangQingXinWan (SHQXW) are effective in treating pneumonia caused by KP. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway has garnered attention for its potential role in the management of bacterial infections. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-pneumonia effect of SHQXW and to investigate its mechanism of action. The potential plant metabolites and molecular targets of SHQXW in the context of pneumonia were determined through ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass-spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) and bioinformatics analysis. The therapeutic effect of SHQXW was evaluated in a KP-induced pneumonia murine model with imipenem/cilastatin as a positive control. Transcriptomics and non-targeted metabolomics were carried out to unveil potential mechanisms and targets for anti-pneumonia effects. Additionally, an in-depth exploration on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was conducted in this study. A total of 24 potential plant metabolites and 285 SHQXW-pneumonia-related targets selected by Homo sapiens were identified in this study. The tested doses of SHQXW significantly reduced mortality, improved body weight, decreased the lung index, reduced the bacterial load, and alleviated lung pathological damage in the KP-induced pneumonia murine model (p < 0.05). Notably, 1.3g/kg/day of SHQXW provided the most effective protective outcome. Furthermore, SHQXW demonstrated the ability to suppress the production of inflammatory factors such as IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-3, IL-6, IL-12p70, G-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, KC, and TNF-α. Analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic data revealed that SHQXW could modulate inflammation-related signaling pathways (TNF, HIF-1, NF-κB, and PI3K/AKT) and metabolites to regulate pulmonary inflammation. Additional experiments using RT-qPCR and western blotting indicated that SHQXW may exert anti-inflammatory effects by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. The findings indicate that SHQXW effectively reduces inflammation in mice with KP-induced pneumonia by modulating inflammatory signaling pathways and metabolites, rather than by directly inhibiting the growth of KP. This study introduces a novel treatment approach for KP-induced pneumonia and presents a new outlook on drug development.

From Ayurveda to Global Practices: A Review on Polyherbal Formulations for Depression Management in Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies

This review summarizes various polyherbal formulations investigated for antidepres-sant activity in preclinical and clinical studies. Ayurveda, an alternative medical system from India, employs both single herbs and polyherbal formulations to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Evidence suggests that whole herb extracts can be more potent than isolated compounds. Poly-herbal formulations, combining multiple herbs with various active compounds, aim to maximize therapeutic effects and safety. This review compiles data from published research to provide in-sights for future studies and potential development of effective, marketable antidepressant for-mulations derived from natural sources.

Complementary Chinese Herbal Medicine Treatment is Associated with a Reduction of Surgical Rate in Patients with Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding: A Propensity-Score Matched Cohort Study.

Many patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) seek traditional medicine consultations. This study intended to investigate the association of complementary Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) with the surgery rate in patients with DUB in Taiwan. We enrolled 43,027 patients with newly diagnosed DUB (ICD-9-CM codes 626.8) from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan during the period of 1997 to 2010. Among them, 38,324 were CHM users, and 4703 did not receive CHM treatment. After performing a 1:1 propensity-score match based on patients' age (per 5 years), comorbidities, conventional drugs, childbirth status, duration from the diagnosis year of DUB and index year, there were an equal number (n=4642) of patients in the CHM cohort and non-CHM cohort. The outcome measurement was the comparison of incidences of surgical events, including hysterectomy and endometrial ablation, in the two cohorts before the end of 2013. CHM users had a lower incidence of surgery than non-CHM users (adjusted HR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.22-0.33). The cumulative incidence of surgery was significantly lower in the CHM cohort during the follow-up period (Log rank test, p < 0.001). A total of 146 patients in the CHM cohort (4.99 per 1000 person-years) and 485 patients in the non-CHM cohort (20.19 per 1000 person-years) received surgery (adjusted HR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.22-0.33). CHM also reduced the risk of surgery in DUB patients with or without comorbidities. Regardless of childbirth status or whether patients took NSAIDs, tranexamic acid or progesterone, fewer patients in the CHM cohort underwent surgery than in the non-CHM cohort. The most commonly prescribed single herb and formula were Yi-Mu-Cao (Herba Leonuri) and Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San, respectively. The real-world data revealed that CHM is associated with a reduced surgery rate in DUB patients. This information may be provided for further clinical investigations and policy-making.

Chemical detection and analysis of Astragalus-Cassia twig drug pair using UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS and HPLC-UV methods

The classic Astragalus-Cassia twig drug pair has a long history of proven efficacy. However, a fewer studies on material basis of the Astragalus and Cassia twig decoction (ACD) was researched at present. The method of UPLC-Q-TOF-MS for classifying and identifying the main chemical components of ACD was established and the differences in composition between single decoction and co-decoction were compared by using HPLC-UV. The therapeutic role of ACD on type 2 diabetes (T2D) rats was investigated. Thirty-five compounds were resolved from the ACD. Fifteen compounds were deduced from the decoction of Astragalus, whereas nine compounds were identified from Cassia twig. Pairing of herbs make a significant effect on the chemical composition of herbal decoction. ACD can play a more obvious role in alleviating the symptoms of T2D rats, compared to the application of single herb.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Focus on Selenium and Antioxidant Phytochemicals.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is not only the most frequent autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), but it also has a significant impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and it has been variably associated with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Even though its pathogenesis is still incompletely understood, oxidative stress is believed to play an important role. Hypothyroidism related to later stages of HT can be treated with levothyroxine substitution therapy; various approaches such as selenium supplementation and iodine-restricted diets have been proposed as disease-modifying treatments for earlier stages, and even thyroidectomy has been suggested for refractory cases of painful HT. Nevertheless, many patients still report suboptimal HRQoL, highlighting an unmet medical need in this area. The concepts and approaches of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating HT are not broadly known in the West. Here, we provide an overview of TCM for HT, including combinations of TCM with selenium. We encompass evidence from clinical trials and other studies related to complex TCM prescriptions, single herbs used in TCM, and phytochemicals; wherever possible, we delineate the probable underlying molecular mechanisms. The findings show that the main active components of TCM for HT have commonly known or presumed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which may account for their potential utility in HT. Further exploring the practices of TCM for HT and combining them with evidence- and mechanism-based approaches according to Western standards may help to identify new strategies to alter the clinical course of the disease and/or to treat patients' symptoms better and improve their HRQoL.

Application of network pharmacology in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of digestive system diseases.

With the general improvement in living standards in recent years, people's living habits, including their dietary habits, have changed. More people around the world do not follow a healthy diet, leading to an increase in morbidity and even mortality due to digestive system diseases, which shows an increasing trend every year. The advantage of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating digestive system diseases is evident. Consequently, the mechanisms of action of single Chinese herbs and compound Chinese medicines have become the focus of research. The research method of the network pharmacology system was highly consistent with the holistic concept of TCM, and provided a new perspective and theoretical basis for basic research on digestive system diseases. This article summarizes the common databases currently used in research on TCM. It also briefly introduces the basic methods and technologies of network pharmacology studies. It also summarizes the advancements of network pharmacology technology through a comprehensive literature search on PubMed. Based on this analysis, we further explored the role of TCM in treating digestive system diseases, including chronic gastritis, gastric cancer, ulcerative colitis, and liver cirrhosis. This study provides new ideas and references for treating digestive system diseases with TCM in the future and serves as a reference for relevant researchers.

Assessment of Proximate, Vitamins, In Vitro Antioxidant, and Functional Properties of Some Polyherbal Formulations as Prospective Botanical Candidates for Pharmaceutical Applications

Study’s Novelty/Excerpt This study evaluates the combined effects of Turmeric, Coriander, and Mint (TCM) leaves on nutritional, functional, and antioxidant properties in polyherbal formulations, showing their superior glucose absorption capacity and antioxidant activity compared to single herbs. The research highlights a significant nutritional shift in the TCM formulation, providing evidence for its enhanced efficacy in nutraceutical applications. These findings show the potential of TCM as a novel botanical candidate for safe and effective pharmaceutical development. Full Abstract Conventional drugs have numerous side effects, toxicity, and microbial resistance, making them unsafe for consumption. Polyherbal formulations are popular due to their potency, low cost, clinical efficacy, safety, and success in chronic conditions. The study aims to evaluate the proximate, vitamin, functional, and antioxidant activity of polyherbal formulations of Turmeric, Coriander, and mint (TCM) leaves as potential botanical candidates for pharmaceutical screening. Thus, addressing these issues and improving access to drugs for individuals by focusing on polyherbal formulations (PHF) is a potential solution. All analyses conducted were determined according to standard assay guidelines. The proximate analysis shows no significant difference among the formulations (p &gt; 0.05), with TCM showing a nutritional profile shift because of the combination of the herbs rather than single herbs. In the vitamin composition, Vitamin A displays a pattern among the formulations, with TC and CM showing higher values than TM and TCM, which are, in turn, better than the single herbs. Vitamin C fluctuates across the formulations. TM displays higher, while T shows the lowest. Vitamin E content remains relatively stable among the formulations with a difference from the single herbs. In the functional properties, GAC displays notable variations among the formulations. TCM exhibits the highest GAC at 14.7 %, indicating its superior ability to absorb glucose. TC, CM, TM, and the single herbs show a comparatively lower GAC value. WAC also varies among the formulations. TCM displays lower WAC compared to TC, TM and CM. The single herbs show the lowest WAC. OAC shows intriguing trends across the formulations. TCM and TC exhibit similar OAC, while CM shows a slightly higher OAC, and TM displays better than single herbs, showing no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05). In the antioxidant Activity, TCM shows lightly higher scavenging activity in 40, 80 and 120 mg/mL concentrations than other formulations. The outcome of this study has led us to conclude that employing safe combinations of these herbal formulations for the production of nutraceuticals is recommended.

Identification of antidepressant constituents from Xiangfu-chuanxiong herbal medicine pair via spectrum-effect relationship analyses, molecular docking and corticosterone-induced PC12 cells

Herbal medicine pair, composed of two single herbs, is a relatively fixed minimum prescription unit in the traditional Chinese medicine's formula and has special significance in clinic. The combination of Xiangfu (the rhizoma of Cyperus rotundus L, XF) and Chuanxiong (the rhizoma of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort, CX) has been recoded as an herbal medicine pair XF-CX in the Yuan Dynasty (1347 CE) of China and widely used in traditional Chinese medicine formula, including Chaihu Shugan San, which has been clinically used for treatment of depression. However, the optimal ratio of the XF-CX herbal medicine pair and its antidepressant constituents are still unclear. Herein, the antidepressive-like effects of XF-CX herbal medicine pairs with different ratios of XF and CX (2:1, 1:1, 1:2) were evaluated using behavioral despair animal models in mice, and then its potential antidepressant constituents were recognized by spectrum-effect relationship analyses. Finally, the potential antidepressant constituents of the XF-CX herbal medicine pair were validated by molecular docking with glucocorticoid receptor and corticosterone (CORT)-induced PC12 cell injury model. The results indicated that different ratios of XF-CX pairs had antidepressive-like effects, and the XF-CX (2:1) exhibited a more significant effect. Thirty-two potential antidepressant constituents in the XF-CX herbal medicine pair were screened out from the spectrum-effect relationship combined molecular docking analyses. Among them, senkyunolide A, cyperotundone, Z-ligustilide, and levistilide A were validated to have protective effects against CORT-induced injury in PC12 cells. Our findings not only obtained the optimal ratio of XF-CX in the herbal medicine pair for the treatment of depression but also its potential antidepressant constituents, which will benefit in elucidating the mechanism of action and promoting the application of the herbal medicine pair in the clinic.

Biological network comparison identifies a novel synergistic mechanism of Ginseng Radix-Astragali Radix herb pair in cancer-related fatigue

Ethnopharmacological relevanceGinseng Radix and Astragali Radix are commonly combined to tonify Qi and alleviate fatigue. Previous studies have employed biological networks to investigate the mechanisms of herb pairs in treating different diseases. However, these studies have only elucidated a single network for each herb pair, without emphasizing the superiority of the herb combination over individual herbs. Aim of the studyThis study proposes an approach of comparing biological networks to highlight the synergistic effect of the pair in treating cancer-related fatigue (CRF). MethodsThe compounds and targets of Ginseng Radix, Astragali Radix, and CRF diseases were collected and predicted using different databases. Subsequently, the overlapping targets between herbs and disease were imported into the STRING and DAVID tools to build protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and analyze enriched KEGG pathways. The biological networks of Ginseng Radix and Astragali Radix were compared separately or together using the DyNet application. Molecular docking was used to verify the predicted results. Further, in vitro experiments were conducted to validate the synergistic pathways identified in in silico studies. ResultsIn the PPI network comparison, the combination created 89 new interactions and an increased average degree (11.260) when compared to single herbs (10.296 and 9.394). The new interactions concentrated on HRAS, STAT3, JUN, and IL6. The topological analysis identified 20 core targets of the combination, including three Ginseng Radix-specific targets, three Astragali Radix-specific targets, and 14 shared targets. In KEGG enrichment analysis, the combination regulated additional signaling pathways (152) more than Ginseng Radix (146) and Astragali Radix (134) alone. The targets of the herb pair synergistically regulated cancer pathways, specifically hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway. In vitro experiments including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot demonstrated that two herbs combination could up-regulate HIF-1α signaling pathway at different combined concentrations compared to either single herb alone. ConclusionThe herb pair increased protein interactions and adjusted metabolic pathways more than single herbs. This study provides insights into the combination of Ginseng Radix and Astragali Radix in clinical practice.

Management of Essential Hypertension (Ucharaktachap) - A Pilot Study

Hypertension is the most common lifestyle disorder today. Hypertension may be a chronic and sometimes asymptomatic medical condition during which systemic blood pressure is elevated beyond normal. Fewer than half of those with hypertension are conscious of their condition and lots of others are Modern treatment modalities are effective for the management of hypertension but pose human beings to their unwanted complications on their long-term use. The conventional antihypertensive drugs have many adverse effects &amp; are not well tolerated which led to non-compliance, switching &amp; discontinuation of treatment. There is no direct description of HTN in Ayurveda but based on its clinical presentation and similarity between pathogenesis factors for hypertension can be correlated with Raktadhatugata Vata (Vatpradhan) and it is considered as Tridoshaja Vyadhi. Treatment for hypertension in Ayurveda on the idea of Balancing all three Doshas. So Nidan Parivarajan, proper dietary habits, Yoga, Meditation along with Ayurvedic herbs can be beneficial for balancing the state of mind, maintaining as well as reducing blood pressure. Ayurveda has various classical formulations and single herbs having Hridya, Kaphahara, Vatahara, Balya, Raktaprasadana, etc. properties which are safe and cost-effective too. In present study Nitya Virechana Karma has been selected as Shodhana measure, to trump over offending Tridosas, as Virechana has also been equally effective in Rakta vitiation. In the present study Shamana remedy (Amritanagaradi Kashayam) has been selected taking in to view the aspect of the preventive, curative and also Dosha Pratyanic effect of Shamana Yoga drugs.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of multi-components in normal and stomach cold syndrome rats after oral administration of Zingiberis Rhizoma − Jujubae Fructus herb pair and its single herb extracts by UHPLC-MS/MS

The Zingiberis Rhizoma − Jujubae Fructus herb pair (ZJHP) is a classic herb pair in traditional Chinese medicine. The herb pair shows the effect of dispelling cold, harmonizing the middle and improving gastrointestinal function, and is widely used for patients with stomach cold syndrome (SCS), stomachache and anemofrigid cold. The gingerols, shogaols, flavonoids and triterpenic acids are the important bioactive ingredients of ZJHP. However, few pharmacokinetic studies have been investigated in vivo for the above compounds. To comprehend the kinetics of active components and promote their curative application, a fast and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was established for simultaneous determination of 12 analytes in normal and SCS rats in this study. The results showed that the pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax, Tmax, t1/2z, MRT0-t, AUC0-t and AUC0-∞) in SCS model were significantly different from those in normal rats. In addition, the pharmacokinetics of rats given ZJHP were also varied from single herb oral administration, especially in model condition. These results indicated that the in vivo processes of the above analytes changed under pathological conditions and the compatibility of the herb pair could significantly influence the absorption of active components, which might provide an insight and further supports for the clinical application of ZJHP.

Ferroptosis: a new mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine for treating ulcerative colitis.

This review summarizes the experimental studies on the targeted regulation of ferroptosis by TCM and its impact on UC in recent years, aiming to provide theoretical basis for the prevention, treatment, and further drug development for UC. Ferroptosis disrupts antioxidant mechanisms in intestinal epithelial cells, damages the intestinal mucosa, and participates in the pathological process of UC. TCM acts on various pathways such as Nrf2/HO-1 and GSH/GPX4, blocking the pathological progression of ferroptosis in intestinal epithelial cells, inhibiting pathological damage to the intestinal mucosa, and thereby alleviating UC. The diverse array of TCM single herbs, extracts and herbal formulas facilitates selective and innovative research and development of new TCM methods for targeting UC treatment. Although progress has been made in studying TCM compound formulas, single herbs, and extracts, there are still many issues in clinical and basic experimental designs, necessitating further in-depth scientific exploration and research.

Research progress on clinically effective single preparations of traditional Chinese medicine

The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) single preparation refers to the innovative TCM made from the whole or the effective part(including the effective ingredient) extract of a TCM single herb by modern technology. They have a long history of applications, definite effects and few side effects. It is an indispensable part of the research of innovative TCM. In recent years, with the optimization of national policies, the development of TCM single preparation shows a positive trend. However, because of the imbalance in the composition ratio, the need for expansion of indications, the need for further basic research, and the low conversion rate of existing patent achievements in universities and institutes, the TCM single preparation still has significant development space. In this review, we analyze and study the current situation, characteristics and difficulties of TCM single preparation, as well as relevant clinical application, basic research, industrialization and patent application information through statistical analysis of TCM single preparations in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which helps to provide direction for the development and research of single preparation of TCM.

Exploring the chemical compositions of Fufang Yinhua Jiedu granules based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with multistage intelligent data annotation strategy

Fufang Yinhua Jiedu granules (FYJG) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) compound formulae preparation comprising ten herbal drugs, which has been widely used for the treatment of influenza with wind-heat type and upper respiratory tract infections. However, the phytochemical constituents of FYJG have rarely been reported, and its constituent composition still needs to be elucidated. The complexity of the natural ingredients of TCMs and the diversity of preparations are the major obstacles to fully characterizing their constituents. In this study, an innovative and intelligent analysis strategy was built to comprehensively characterize the constituents of FYJG and assign source attribution to all components. Firstly, a simple and highly efficient ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF MSE) method was established to analyze the FYJG and ten single herbs. High-accuracy MS/MS data were acquired under two collision energies using high-definition MSE in the negative and positive modes. Secondly, a multistage intelligent data annotation strategy was developed and used to rapidly screen out and identify the compounds of FYJG, which was integrated with various online software and data processing platforms. The in-house chemical library of 2949 compounds was created and operated in the UNIFI software to enable automatic peak annotation of the MSE data. Then, the acquired MS data were processed by MS-DIAL, and a feature-based molecular networking (FBMN) was constructed on the Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) to infer potential compositions of FYJG by rapidly classifying and visualizing. It was simultaneously using the MZmine software to recognize the source attribution of ingredients. On this basis, the unique chemical categories and characteristics of herbaceous plant species are utilized further to verify the accuracy of the source attribution of multi-components. This comprehensive analysis successfully identified or tentatively characterized 279 compounds in FYJG, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, saponins, alkaloids, lignans, and phenylethanoids. Notably, twelve indole alkaloids and four organic acids from Isatidis Folium were characterized in this formula for the first time. This study demonstrates a potential superiority to identify compounds in complex TCM formulas using high-definition MSE and computer software-assisted structural analysis tools, which can obtain high-quality MS/MS spectra, effectively distinguish isomers, and improve the coverage of trace components. This study elucidates the various components and sources of FYJG and provides a theoretical basis for its further clinical development and application.

Considering traditional Chinese medicine as adjunct therapy in the management of chronic constipation by regulating intestinal flora.

Chronic constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. Due to changes in diet, lifestyle, and the aging population, the incidence of chronic constipation has increased year by year. It has had an impact on daily life and poses a considerable economic burden. Nowadays, many patients with chronic constipation try to seek help from complementary and alternative therapies, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is often their choice. The intestinal flora play an important role in the pathogenesis of constipation by affecting the body's metabolism, secretion, and immunity. Regulating the intestinal flora and optimizing its composition might become an important prevention and treatment for chronic constipation. TCM has unique advantages in regulating the imbalance of intestinal flora, and its curative effect is precise. Therefore, we reviewed the relationship between intestinal flora and chronic constipation as well as advances in research on TCM as adjunct therapy in the management of chronic constipation by regulating intestinal flora. Some single Chinese herbs and their active ingredients (e.g., Rheum palmatum, Radix Astragalus, and Cistanche deserticola), some traditional herbal formulations (e.g., Jichuan decoction, Zengye decoction, and Zhizhu decoction) and some Chinese patent medicines (e.g., Maren pills and Shouhui Tongbian capsules) that are commonly used to treat chronic constipation by regulating intestinal flora are highlighted and summarized. Moreover, some external forms of TCM, and especially acupuncture, have also been found to improve intestinal movement and alleviate constipation symptoms by regulating intestinal flora. We hope this review can contribute to an understanding of TCM as an adjunct therapy for chronic constipation and that it can provide useful information for the development of more effective constipation therapies.

Treatment of neuropathic pain by traditional Chinese medicine: An updated review on their effect and putative mechanisms of action.

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common chronic pain with heterogeneous clinical features, and consequent lowering of quality of life. Currently, although conventional chemical drugs can effectively manage NP symptoms in the short term, their long-term efficacy is limited, and they come with significant side effects. In this regard, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a promising avenue for treating NP. Numerous pharmacological and clinical studies have substantiated the effectiveness of TCM with multiple targets and mechanisms. We aimed to outline the characteristics of TCM, including compound prescriptions, single Chinese herbs, active ingredients, and TCM physical therapy, for NP treatment and discussed their efficacy by analyzing the pathogenesis of NP. Various databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database, were searched. We focused on recent research progress in NP treatment by TCM. Finally, we proposed the future challenges and emerging trends in the treatment of NP. TCM demonstrates significant clinical efficacy in NP treatment, employing multi-mechanisms. Drawing from the theory of syndrome differentiation, four types of dialectical treatments for NP by compound TCM prescriptions were introduced: promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis; promoting blood circulation and promote Qi flow; warming Yang and benefiting Qi; soothing the liver and regulating Qi. Meanwhile, 33 single Chinese herbs and 25 active ingredients were included. In addition, TCM physical therapy (e.g., acupuncture, massage, acupoint injection, and fumigation) also showed good efficacy in NP treatment. TCM, particularly through the use of compound prescriptions and acupuncture, holds bright prospects in treating NP owing to its diverse holistic effects. Nonetheless, the multi-targets of TCM may result in possible disadvantages to NP treatment, and the pharmacological mechanisms of TCM need further evaluation. Here, we provide an overview of NP treatment via TCM, based on the pathogenesis and the potential therapeutic mechanisms, thus providing a reference for further studies.

TIME TO THINK “BOTSIMILAR”

Dear Reader, Ever since the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) was notified in the US in 1994, discussion on botanicals for wellness continues. Botanicals to be used for providing wellness health benefits opened up a large market for consumer benefits. Nations like India and China who have long documented history of safe use (HoSU) of botanicals started to explore the US market for supplements. Botanical products, mostly single herb based and their extracts formulated as tablets, capsules, liquids and in some cases food formats such as granules, powders, became the focus of innovations. Till 2016, India did not have any regulations for Nutraceuticals or Supplements. The industry innovated through the acquisition of traditional Ayurvedic licenses for such products. Bolstered by government support, which propelled regulatory amendments, allowing products to be labelled according to the destination country regulations, thereby driving growth in this sector