Tibetan Medicine Research Articles (Page 1)

Impacts of 60Co-γ irradiation on physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of Tibetan medicine Pazhu powder (PP)

Fructus Amomi Rotundus, Fructus Galangae, Semen Alpiniae Katsumadai and Semen Myristicae comparison of traditional medicinal uses, phytoconstituents, bioactivities.

Sinopodophyllum hexandrum ("Taoerqi") is a traditional Tibetan medicine used for treating inflammation and arthralgia, but its therapeutic basis against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. This study aimed to identify its active anti-RA fraction, analyse its chemical composition, and explore its mechanisms of action. Using a CFA-induced arthritis rat model, the dichloromethane fraction of S. hexandrum (SHD) was evaluated for anti-RA activity. UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS identified 57 compounds, mainly prenylated flavonoids and arylnaphthalene lignans. Network pharmacology predicted their targets, and in vitro assays on TNF-α-induced fibroblast-like synoviocytes confirmed the anti-RA effects of 15 isolates. Enzyme inhibition, molecular docking, surface plasmon resonance, and Western blot validated their interactions with TNF-α and JAK1. Oral administration of SHD significantly reduced paw swelling and neutrophil infiltration in RA rats. These findings suggest that prenylated flavonoids and arylnaphthalene lignans are key active components exerting anti-RA effects, respectively, via TNF-α and JAK1 inhibition, highlighting their potential for further drug development.

Myristica fragrans (M. fragrans) , is a species within the Myristicaceae family and the Myristica genus. It is an evergreen tree plant native to Maluku and the Banda Islands. Nutmeg (dried kernel of M. fragrans) could be used not only as a spice but also as a valuable medicinal herb used in traditional ethnomedicines, including Ayurvedic medicine, Tibetan medicine, Mongolian medicine, and Chinese medicine. From previous studies, it has been found that its chemical components are lignans, neolignans, volatile oils, and other chemical components. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that nutmeg extract and its chemical constituents possessed a wide range of pharmacological activities such as neurological and digestive pharmacological effects as well as cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, potential anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant activities, and other pharmacological effects, which are closely related to its rich ethnomedical uses. There were more studies on the pharmacological activities and chemical constituents of nutmeg, but few studies had been carried out in terms of incorporating the experience of traditional medicine and systematic quality control studies. Based on botanical books, Chinese classic texts, medical monographs and a cademic search engines (Pubmed, Web of Science, CNKI, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library), this paper reviewed various aspects of nutmeg, such as its basic source, traditional use, chemical Components, pharmacological activities and mechanism of action as well as quality control, with a view to laying a foundation for the study of the potential pharmacological activities and quality control of nutmeg and providing a theoretical basis for the further development of nutmeg.

Qi-Sai-Er-Sang-Dang-Song decoction inhibits pyroptosis and inflammation in THP-1 cells and alleviates rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting the NLRP3-pyroptosis signaling pathway.

Siweixizangmaoru decoction attenuates collagen-induced arthritis via gut microbiota-dependent SCFA restoration and immunomodulation.

BackgroundThe Tibetan medicine Ershiwuwei Guijiu Pill (EWGP), a classic Tibetan medicine prescription for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) in the Qinghai–Tibet region, has attracted extensive attention due to its curative effects on gynecological diseases. However, its chemical ingredients and molecular mechanism are still unclear.Aim of the studyTo analyze the chemical constituents and effective serum chemical metabolites of EWGP and to explore the molecular mechanism of EWGP in treating PMOP through network analysis and experimental validation.MethodsThe ethanol extract of EWGP and its drug-containing serum were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS), and the chemical constituents were analyzed and identified. SwissTarget prediction was used to predict the corresponding potential target genes of the identified chemical components. Thereafter, a visualization network of the components and corresponding targets was constructed with Cytoscape software. Moreover, a specific disease database for animals was used to search and filter for osteoporosis (OP) targets, and a drug-disease target protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. Cytoscape 3.7.0 was used for visualization and cluster analysis, and R Studio was used for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. AutoDock Tools were applied for molecular docking of the serum metabolites and specific target proteins. The potential mechanism of EWGP in preventing and treating PMOP was predicted by network pharmacology analysis and was experimentally studied and verified in vivo and in vitro.ResultsA total of 199 chemical substances were identified in the ethanol extract, and 11 were found in the serum. A total of 419 predicted targets and 128 target genes related to osteoporosis were screened. There were 16 common targets identified between the predicted targets and OP genes. Following the enrichment analysis, 16 KEGG signaling pathways and 63 GO biological process items were identified. The results of molecular docking showed that the main active compounds may be Protopine, Hetisine, Piperine, Visaminol, Boldine, and Trigonelline, and the specific targets may be CYP17A1, ESR2, MAPK14, and the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The results of cell and animal experiments showed that EWGP may improve bone metabolism via estrogen and calcium signaling pathways regulated by estrogens and calcium ions.ConclusionsEWGP contains multiple herbal drugs and treats PMOP through multiple targets and signaling pathways. We preliminarily tested the chemical compounds of EWGP, especially in the serum, to determine the chemical metabolites of EWGP and revealed the molecular mechanism of EWGP in preventing and treating PMOP; moreover, we used computer-virtual molecular docking and experiments for preliminary verification of the core targets of network pharmacology analysis.

IntroductionQiwei Tiexie Pill (QWTX) is a Tibetan medicine formulation containing processed iron powder that requires systematic safety evaluation. This study aimed to assess the acute toxicological mechanisms of QWTX and its key mineral component, processed iron powder.MethodsAn integrative approach combining histopathological examination, serum biochemistry, and multi-platform metabolomics (1H NMR and LC-MS) was employed to evaluate toxicological responses in Sprague-Dawley rats following 7-day oral administration.ResultsWhile both treatments preserved hepatic structural integrity without inducing hepatotoxicity, significant renal effects were observed in a dose- and formulation-dependent manner. High-dose processed iron powder caused moderate renal histopathological alterations, primarily vascular changes and hemorrhage, alongside metabolic disruptions in both liver and kidney. QWTX, despite inducing significant metabolic perturbations at high dose, maintained normal renal architecture, indicating a protective effect conferred by its herbal components. Metabolomic and biochemical analyses revealed systemic metabolic reprogramming across four interdependent physiological domains: energy metabolism characterized by TCA cycle impairment and enhanced BCAA catabolism; oxidative stress evidenced by glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation; nitrogen metabolism showing a “hepato-renal disconnect”; and neuroendocrine regulation with widespread hormone pathway dysregulation.DiscussionQWTX demonstrated a superior safety profile compared to processed iron powder alone, particularly in preserving renal structure and mitigating iron‐associated nephrotoxicity. However, high‐dose QWTX still triggered significant oxidative and metabolic stress, underscoring the importance of dose optimization in clinical use. These findings provide a systems‐level understanding of the acute toxicological profile of QWTX and processed iron powder, supporting the traditional principles of herbal‐metal synergy in Tibetan medicine while highlighting the need for long-term safety studies to evaluate cumulative mineral exposure and chronic metabolic effects.

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIn 2023, the classic work of Tibetan medicine, the Four Medical Tantras, was successfully inscribed on the Memory of the World Register. The As⋅ṭāga Hṛdaya Saṃhitā was also introduced to Tibet in the 10th century A.D. and translated into Tibetan. Although many scholars at home and abroad have shown interest in the historical exchange between the two texts, no quantitative and objective comparative research results have yet been published.Aim of the studyThis study aims to reveal and compare the use of diets, medicinal materials and preparations as therapeutic means in the Four Medical Tantras and the As⋅ṭāga Hṛdaya Saṃhitā, and to explore their historical exchanges between these two traditional medical system.Materials and methods① Data mining: Relevant information on diets, medicinal materials, and preparations was extracted from the Four Medical Tantras and the As⋅ṭāga Hṛdaya Saṃhitā, and entered into a Microsoft Excel 2010 table to establish the datasets, respectively. ② Statistical analysis: IBM SPSS statistics 27.0, SPSS Modeler 18.0 and Gephi 0.9.2 were used to analyze the contents of diets, medicinal materials, and preparations, such as frequency, association rules, and complex networks. ③ Comparative study: The Mann-Whitney test, a non-parametric method, and the intuitive comparison method were used to analyze the similarities and differences in terms of therapeutic means of diets, medicinal materials, and preparations documented in the Four Medical Tantras and the As⋅ṭāga Hṛdaya Saṃhitā.Results① Foods: The Four Medical Tantras document 153 kinds, categorized into five major types, mainly meat. The As⋅ṭāga Hṛdaya Saṃhitā documents 392 types, categorized into six major types, mainly vegetables. There are 49 shared food types between the two texts. ② Drinks: The Four Medical Tantras document 65 kinds, categorized into three major types. The As⋅ṭāga Hṛdaya Saṃhitā documents 81 kinds, categorized into five major types (including more sugar cane- and sesame oil-based types), and includes South Asian specialty drinks such as yellow cow urine, camel urine, and elephant urine. Among them, 18 drink types are shared. ③ Medicinal materials: The Four Medical Tantras document 1,115 species, mainly animal-based medicines, with 388 recorded efficacies classified into 17 disease types. The As⋅ṭāga Hṛdaya Saṃhitā documents 762 species, mainly plant-based, with 40 recorded efficacies classified into 30 disease types. Among them, 227 medicinal materials are shared, with 21 overlapping recorded efficacies. ④ Preparations: The Four Medical Tantras document 2,678 types, with combinations following the principle of “coolness in warmth, and warmth in coolness,” reflecting Tibetan medical characteristics. The As⋅ṭāga Hṛdaya Saṃhitā documents 2,240 types, commonly using pepper, ghee, and honey, embodying Ayurveda’s principle of “combining food and medicine” and reflecting its characteristics approach to medication.ConclusionThis study found both differences and commonalities in their therapeutic content. The both texts differ markedly in the total amount and classification of therapeutic content, with particularly striking differences in dietary types and sources of medicinal materials, reflecting the different ecological and cultural characteristics of the Tibetan Plateau and South Asia. At the same time, there is a partial overlap between the both texts, such as 9.9% of foods, 14.1% of drinks, and 13.8% of medicinal materials are shared, with a 48% similarity in their recorded efficacies. These findings provide an empirical basis for understanding the similarities and differences between Tibetan medicine and the Ayurvedic medical system, and open new perspectives for comparative studies of traditional medicine.

Rhodiola tangutica (maxim.) S. H. Fu protects blood-retinal barrier in hypoxia-induced retinal injury rats by down-regulating HIF-1α/eNOS/NO pathway.

Abietane diterpenoid with diverse structures and multi-functional neuroprotective effects from Salvia castanea.

Ershiwuwei Shanhu pills alleviates cerebral ischemia injury in rats by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress through GRP78/XBP1/CHOP pathway.

Extraction, separation, structure identification and anti-inflammatory activity of polysaccharides from Lamiophlomis Rotata.

Integration of heart-on-a-chip and metabolomics for understanding the toxicity-attenuating effect of ethnomedicinal processing.

Siwei Jianghuang Decoction mitigates diabetic nephropathy by suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis via the inhibition of the NOX-4/NF-κB/MCP-1 pathway.

Sophormodines D—K, matrine-type alkaloids with anti-HBV activity from the seeds of Tibetan medicine Sophora moorcroftiana

Acorus calamus, a traditional Tibetan medicine with potential antiviral activity but undefined mechanisms, was studied for its anti-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) mechanisms using network pharmacology and molecular docking, given RSV’s substantial disease burden and lack of specific therapies. The primary active compounds were identified and analyzed through a literature search, the PubChem database, and the SwissADME. Relevant targets were sifted through the SwissTargetPrediction platform, OMIM, and GeneCards databases. Common targets underwent enrichment analysis using Disease Ontology (DO), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Molecular docking and GEO datasets were used for further analysis. Among the screened data, 268 targets were associated with Acorus calamus compounds and 1633 with RSV. KEGG analysis of the shared targets revealed potential therapeutic roles via the PI3K–Akt and JAK–STAT signaling pathways. Molecular docking results demonstrated that CCND1, EGFR, and SRC exhibited relatively lower binding energies with compounds in comparison to other proteins, suggesting better interactions, and GEO-derived RSV datasets further validated CCND1’s significance. This study demonstrates Acorus calamus’s anti-RSV activity and its potential mechanism, providing a theoretical foundation for the effective active ingredients of Acorus calamus targeting CCND1 as a strategy to combat RSV infection.

BackgroundSophora moorcroftiana (Benth.) Baker is a perennial shrub endemic to the Tibetan Plateau. Its seeds are traditional Tibetan medicine for treating jaundice, hepatitis, purulent tonsillitis, diphtheria, and parasitosis.Aim of the studyThe aim of this research is to explore the possible processes by which the 70% ethanol extract of S. moocroftiana seeds (SMS) imparts healing effects in NAFLD what is done by simulating the disease state of NAFLD via the creation of a lipid accumulation model in HepG2 cells induced by FFA, and a NAFLD model in C57BL/6J mice induced by HFD.Materials and methodsThe experiment used HFD fed C57BL/6J mice to establish a NAFLD model, which was divided into a control group, HFD model group, different doses of SMS groups, and a Silymarin group. Were used in the experiment. SMS could improve lipid accumulation, reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response, which confirmed the improvement effect of SMS on NAFLD. The protective mechanism of SMS on HepG2 cell lipid accumulation model was further verified by qRT-PCR, WB, ELISA, and other methods.ResultsIn vitro and in vivo experiments showed that SMS could inhibit ROS and TXNIP dissociation, regulate NLRP3/caspase 1/GSDMD pathway to inhibit pyroptosis, and reduce the release of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-18, and IL-1β, thereby improving the symptoms of lipid accumulation and oxidative stress. These results suggest that SMS can improve NAFLD via regulating pyroptosis.ConclusionSMS has promising therapeutic potential in NAFLD management by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis via ROS/TXNIP pathway in hepatocytes.

Yellow mushrooms (Floccularia luteovirens), which grow in high-altitude regions, are a component of traditional Tibetan medicine and have high nutritional value. In this study, the basic quality indices and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of yellow mushrooms with different cap opening stages were determined. The volatile compounds (VOCs) were determined by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technology. The results demonstrated that as the degree of cap opening increased, both the weight of individual mushrooms and their respiratory intensity exhibited an upward trend. However, there was no significant difference in firmness, and the color change was not obvious. A total of 99 VOCs were detected in yellow mushrooms. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) successfully differentiated the three groups of yellow mushrooms based on VOCs, indicating the presence of differentially volatile organic compounds (DVOCs) among the groups. Further, through orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), venn diagram and K-means cluster analysis, the intergroup DVOCs and the specific high-abundance DVOCs were obtained. It revealed the differences in VOCs of yellow mushrooms with different cap opening stages, providing theoretical data for further exploring the quality changes of yellow mushrooms during storage and the traceability of their origin.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-15137-y.

The Fragment of Dunhuang Ancient Tibetan Moxibustion Therapy contains rich content on fire moxibustion therapy of Tubo-period Tibetan medicine, characterized by distinctive clinical features of Tibetan acupuncture and strong regional attributes. This paper systematically reviews the relevant materials on moxibustion in the Fragment and summarizes the findings as follows: Tibetan fire moxibustion mainly uses mugwort as the material, and terms like "fine mugwort", "broad bean" and "sheep dung pellet" refer to the size of the moxa cone. The number of moxa cones used is predominantly odd numbers, usually ranging from 5 to 21. The main indications for fire moxibustion cover internal medicine, external medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, and various pain syndromes. The therapy advocates for treating acute conditions and heat syndromes with moxibustion. The manuscript also records detailed contraindications, including time-based and seasonal taboos. Moxibustion is applied to both local and distal acupoints, reflecting the therapeutic concept of treating both proximal and distal regions. Furthermore, it documents simple and practical acupoint localization methods such as surface anatomical markers, proportional bone measurement, finger measurement, and hand-span measurement. Compared with contemporaneous Chinese medical moxibustion techniques, the moxibustion methods recorded in this Fragment are rich in content and present unique Tibetan theoretical characteristics. It provides valuable data and evidence for the excavation, application, and further research of Tibetan acupuncture and moxibustion.