Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Research Articles

Dehydroevodiamine Ameliorates Neurological Dysfunction After Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice via Regulating the SIRT1/FOXO3a/Bim Pathway

BackgroundTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI) poses a considerable public health challenge, resulting in mortality, disability, and economic strain. Dehydroevodiamine (DEDM) is a natural compound derived from a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Prior studies have substantiated the neuroprotective attributes of this compound in the context of TBI. Nevertheless, a comprehensive comprehension of the exact mechanisms responsible for its neuroprotective effects remains elusive. It is imperative to elucidate the precise intrinsic mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective actions of DEDM. PurposeThe aim of this investigation was to elucidate the mechanism underlying DEDM treatment in TBI utilizing both in vivo and in vitro models. Specifically, our focus was on comprehending the impact of DEDM on the Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) / Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3a) / Bcl-2-like protein 11 (Bim) pathway, a pivotal player in TBI-induced cell death attributed to oxidative stress. Study design and methodsWe established a TBI mouse model via the weight drop method. Following continuous intraperitoneal administration, we assessed the neurological dysfunction using the Modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS) and behavioral assay, followed by sample collection. Secondary brain damage in mice was evaluated through Nissl staining, brain water content measurement, Evans blue detection, and Western blot assays. We scrutinized the expression levels of oxidative stress-related indicators and key proteins for apoptosis. The intricate mechanism of DEDM in TBI was further explored through immunofluorescence, Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), dual-luciferase assays and western blotting. Additionally, we further investigated the specific therapeutic mechanism of DEDM in an oxidative stress cell model. ResultsThe results indicated that DEDM effectively ameliorated oxidative stress and apoptosis post-TBI, mitigating neurological dysfunction and brain injury in mice. DEDM facilitated the deacetylation of FOXO3a by up-regulating the expression of the deacetylase SIRT1, consequently suppressing Bim expression. This mechanism contributed to the alleviation of neurological injury and symptom improvement in TBI-afflicted mice. Remarkably, SIRT1 emerged as a central mediator in the overall treatment mechanism. ConclusionsDEDM exerted significant neuroprotective effects on TBI mice by modulating the SIRT1/FOXO3a/Bim pathway. Our innovative research provides a basis for further exploration of the clinical therapeutic potential of DEDM in the context of TBI.

Processed Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua attenuates postpartum depression in rat model by regulating monoamines and hormones

BackgroundPolygonatum cyrtonema Hua is a traditional Chinese medicinal food herb which can regulate the liver and Qi, nourish the heart and blood, moisten the lungs and nourish the kidneys with the potential to treat emotional diseases. However, few studies have explored the effects of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua on postpartum depression. Therefore, we investigated whether processed Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua could improve postpartum depression in rat models by regulating monoamines and hormones. MethodsFemale Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into normal control (0.9%Nacl), Sham operation (0.9%Nacl), postpartum depression model (0.9%Nacl), fluoxetine (2.5 mg/kg Fluoxetine), low, medium and high dose of processed Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (2.5 g/kg, 5 g/kg, 10 g/kg) groups. Rats in these groups received drug intervention, and then subjected to Open-field test and Forced swimming test. Brain tissues and serum samples were collected and used to quantify levels of monoamines, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and serum Estradiol. The status of neuronal cells in hippocampus 1 region was examined through hematoxylin-eosin staining, whereas expression of estrogen receptor α and β was detected by immunohistochemistry. ResultsRats in the model group showed decreased mobility time, the disorder of neuronal cells in hippocampus 1 area, and decreased concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine in brain tissue, norepinephrine and estradiol in serum as well as estrogen receptor α and β expression. They also exhibited increased adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosterone and corticotropin releasing hormone in serum. However, the treatment with processed Polygonatum cyrtonem Hua or fluoxetine reversed the above abnormalities. ConclusionThe H group showed significant improvement in postpartum depression in rats, and processed Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua can be used as a developing drug for the prevention or treatment of depression.

Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification Reveal the Regulatory Mechanism of Chuanbeimu in Treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disorder in pulmonology. Chuanbeimu (CBM) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb for treating COPD and has been widely utilized in clinical practice. However, the mechanism of CBM in the treatment of COPD remains incompletely understood. This study aims to investigate the underlying therapeutic mechanism of CBM for COPD using network pharmacology and experimental approaches. Active ingredients and their targets were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. COPD-associated targets were retrieved from the GeneCards database. The common targets for CBM and COPD were identified through Venn diagram analysis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and disease-herb-ingredient-target networks were constructed. Subsequently, the results of the network pharmacology were validated by molecular docking and in vitro experiments. Seven active ingredients and 32 potential targets for CBM were identified as closely associated with COPD. The results of the disease-herb-ingredient-target network and PPI network showed that peimisine emerged as the core ingredient, and SRC, ADRB2, MMP2, and NOS3 were the potential targets for CBM in treating COPD. Molecular docking analysis confirmed that peimisine exhibited high binding affinity with SRC, ADRB2, MMP2, and NOS3. In vitro experiments demonstrated that peimisine significantly upregulated the expression of ADRB2 and NOS3 and downregulated the expression of SRC and MMP2. These findings indicate that CBM may modulate the expression of SRC, ADRB2, MMP2, and NOS3, thereby exerting a protective effect against COPD.

Analysis of metabolic differences between Jiaosu fermented from dendrobium flowers and stems based on untargeted metabolomics

Dendrobium officinale is an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb containing bioactive polysaccharides and alkaloids. This study characterized metabolite differences between jiaosu (fermented plant product) from Dendrobium flowers versus stems using untargeted metabolomics. The jiaosu was fermented by mixed fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified 476 differentially expressed metabolites between the two Jiaosu products. Key results showed downregulation of flavonoid metabolism in Dendrobium Stems Edible Plant Jiaosu (SEP) but increased flavonoid synthesis in Dendrobium Flowers Edible Plant Jiaosu (FEP), likely an antioxidant response. SEP displayed upregulation of lignin metabolites with potential antioxidant properties. The findings demonstrate significant metabolite profile differences between SEP and FEP, providing the basis for developing functional jiaosu products targeting specific health benefits.

Novel insight into the therapeutical potential of flavonoids from traditional Chinese medicine against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a major contributor to poor prognosis of ischemic stroke. Flavonoids are a broad family of plant polyphenols which are abundant in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and have beneficial effects on several diseases including ischemic stroke. Accumulating studies have indicated that flavonoids derived from herbal TCM are effective in alleviating CIRI after ischemic stroke in vitro or in vivo, and exhibit favourable therapeutical potential. Herein, we systematically review the classification, metabolic absorption, neuroprotective efficacy, and mechanisms of TCM flavonoids against CIRI. The literature suggest that flavonoids exert potential medicinal functions including suppressing excitotoxicity, Ca2+ overloading, oxidative stress, inflammation, thrombin's cellular toxicity, different types of programmed cell deaths, and protecting the blood-brain barrier, as well as promoting neurogenesis in the recovery stage following ischemic stroke. Furthermore, we identified certain matters that should be taken into account in future research, as well as proposed difficulties and opportunities in transforming TCM-derived flavonoids into medications or functional foods for the treatment or prevention of CIRI. Overall, in this review we aim to provide novel ideas for the identification of new prospective medication candidates for the therapeutic strategy against ischemic stroke.

Biological Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula and Herbs in Treating Diseases from the Perspective of Cold and Hot

Abstract Cold and Hot syndrome, also known as “ZHENG” in Mandarin, is a fundamental theory in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and plays a pivotal role in the differentiation of diseases in TCM. Diseases are treated with varying formulas according to the specific syndrome differentiations in TCM. A way of the principles followed in TCM medical strategy is “cold herbs for hot syndrome, and hot herbs for cold syndrome.” Therefore, from the perspective of cold/hot syndrome, we summarizes the present research regarding the characteristics and mechanisms of cold/hot herbs (including herbs with cool and warm properties) in digestive system diseases, respiratory diseases, and autoimmune diseases, among others. As novel technologies have advanced, various methods, such as those based on network target, machine learning, and deep learning, have emerged to reveal the mechanisms underlying cold/hot syndrome and cold/hot herbs. With the help of these technologies, it has been found that cold and hot herbs, as well as formulae with cold or hot intentions, have similarities and differences in the treatment of these diseases. In conclusion, cold and cool may have stronger antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects, whereas hot and warm herbs may specifically enhance immune regulation. With the assistance of advancing data algorithms, uncovering the mechanisms of cold/hot herbs may accelerate and provide a new research paradigm for further achieving precision in TCM.

Integrated network analysis and experimental verification of the mechanisms employed by Compound Jixuecao Decoction to improve endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in chronic renal failure

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCompound Jixuecao Decoction (CJD) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine prescribed in China to treat chronic renal failure (CRF). Previous studies have shown that CJD affects cell apoptosis and proliferation. However, the mechanism of its renal protective action has not been characterized. Aim of the studyTo explore the mechanism(s) underlying the effect of CJD on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and apoptosis in the treatment of CRF using network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and in vivo studies. Materials and methodsThe compounds comprising CJD were extracted from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database. A Swiss target prediction database and similarity integration approach were employed to identify potential targets of these components. The GeneCards and DisGeNET databases were used to identify targets associated with CRF, apoptosis, and ERS. The STRING database was employed to analyze the protein–protein interactions (PPIs) associated with drug–disease crossover. A chemical composition-shared target network was established, and critical pathways were identified through gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses. The Protein Data Bank database was used to search key proteins, while molecular docking and dynamics simulations were performed between the top four CJD active ingredients and proteins involved in apoptosis and ERS in CRF. Subsequent in vivo studies using a 5/6 nephrectomy rat model of CRF were performed to verify the findings. ResultsThe 80 compounds identified in CJD yielded 875 target genes, of which 216 were potentially related to CRF. PPI network analysis revealed key targets via topology filtering. Enrichment analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation results suggested that CJD primarily targets mitofusin-2 (MFN2), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2), BAX, protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) during CRF treatment. In vivo, CJD significantly increased the abundance of MFN2, BCL2, and significantly reduced the abundance of BAX, PERK, CHOP proteins in kidney tissues, indicating that CJD could improve apoptosis and ERS in CRF rats. ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that CJD effectively delays CFR through modulation of the MFN2 and PERK–eIF2α–ATF4–CHOP signaling pathways.

Enhanced Knowledge Distillation for Advanced Recognition of Chinese Herbal Medicine.

The identification and classification of traditional Chinese herbal medicines demand significant time and expertise. We propose the dual-teacher supervised decay (DTSD) approach, an enhancement for Chinese herbal medicine recognition utilizing a refined knowledge distillation model. The DTSD method refines output soft labels, adapts attenuation parameters, and employs a dynamic combination loss in the teacher model. Implemented on the lightweight MobileNet_v3 network, the methodology is deployed successfully in a mobile application. Experimental results reveal that incorporating the exponential warmup learning rate reduction strategy during training optimizes the knowledge distillation model, achieving an average classification accuracy of 98.60% for 10 types of Chinese herbal medicine images. The model boasts an average detection time of 0.0172 s per image, with a compressed size of 10 MB. Comparative experiments demonstrate the superior performance of our refined model over DenseNet121, ResNet50_vd, Xception65, and EfficientNetB1. This refined model not only introduces an approach to Chinese herbal medicine image recognition but also provides a practical solution for lightweight models in mobile applications.

Integrative transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals the discrepancy in the accumulation of active ingredients between Lycium barbarum cultivars.

The combined analysis of transcriptome and metabolome provided molecular insight into the dynamics of multiple active ingredients biosynthesis and accumulation across different cultivars of Lycium barbarum. Lycium barbarum L. has a high concentration of active ingredients and is well known in traditional Chinese herbal medicine for its therapeutic properties. However, there are many Lycium barbarum cultivars, and the content of active components varies, resulting in inconsistent quality between Lycium barbarum cultivars. At present, few research has been conducted to reveal the difference in active ingredient content among different cultivars of Lycium barbarum at the molecular level. Therefore, the transcriptome of 'Ningqi No.1' and 'Qixin No.1' during the three development stages (G, T, and M) was constructed in this study. A total of 797,570,278 clean reads were obtained. Between the two types of wolfberries, a total of 469, 2394, and 1531 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in the 'G1 vs. G10,' 'T1 vs. T10,' and 'M1 vs. M10,' respectively, and were annotated with Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) orthology identifiers. Using these transcriptome data, most DEGs related to the metabolism of the active ingredients in 'Ningqi No.1' and 'Qixin No.1' were identified. Moreover, a widely targeted metabolome analysis of the metabolites of 'Ningqi 1' and 'Qixin 1' fruits at the maturity stage revealed 1,135 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) in 'M1 vs. M10,' and many DEMs were associated with active ingredients such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and so on. We further quantified the flavonoid, lignin, and carotenoid contents of the two Lycium barbarum cultivars during the three developmental stages. The present outcome provided molecular insight into the dynamics of multiple active ingredients biosynthesis and accumulation across different cultivars of Lycium barbarum, which would provide the basic data for the formation of Lycium barbarum fruit quality and the breeding of outstanding strains.

Brusatol's anticancer activity and its molecular mechanism: a research update.

Brusatol (BT) is a quassinoid compound extracted from Brucea javanica that is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Brusatol possesses biological and medical activity, including antitumor, antileukemia, anti-inflammatory, antitrypanosomal, antimalarial, and antitobacco mosaic virus activity. To summarize and discuss the antitumor effects of BT and its mechanisms of actions, we compiled this review by combining the extensive relevant literature and our previous studies. We searched and retrieved the papers that reported the pharmacological effects of BT and the mechanism of BT antitumor activity from PubMed until July 2023. Numerous studies have shown that BT is a unique nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibitor that acts on various signaling pathways and has good antitumor properties. Brusatol shows great potential in cancer therapy by inhibiting cell proliferation, blocking the cell cycle, promoting tumor cell differentiation, accelerating tumor cell apoptosis, inducing autophagy, suppressing angiogenesis, inhibiting tumor invasion and metastasis, and reversing multidrug resistance. This review summarizes recent updates on the antitumor activity and molecular mechanisms of BT and provides references for future development and clinical translation of BT and its derivatives as antitumor drugs.

Effects of Weeding Frequency on the Yield and Quality of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch in an Arid and Semi-Arid Area of Northwest China

Weeds interfere with agricultural production activities worldwide and have a very serious impact on agriculture and animal husbandry. Identifying a safe and reliable weed control strategy may increase the yield and production net income, and improve crop quality. Licorice is one of the most popular traditional Chinese herbal medicines and has been used for over 2000 years in China. Liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid are crucial active ingredients. A field experiment was carried out to explore the effects of weeding frequency on the yield and quality of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch in an arid and semi-arid area of northwest China. The experiment consisted of seven treatments: (1) no weeding, marked as WF0, and (2)–(7) artificial weeding using a hoe once every 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after emergence, marked as WF1, WF2, WF4, WF6, WF8 and WF10, respectively. We found that a higher weeding frequency resulted in greater plant height, photosynthesis, yield and quality. The highest yield was obtained when the WF1 treatment was applied, while the cost of weeding was high among all treatments. The concentrations of liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid were increased by 53.24% and 36.57%, with the highest nitrogen metabolism enzymatic activities and quality observed when the WF4 treatment was applied. The WF4 treatment resulted in the largest increase in the net income among all treatments in both growing seasons, with respective increases of up to 71.39% and 78.81%. These findings suggest that weeding once every four weeks could be an effective and sustainable measure to control weeds in an arid and semi-arid area.

Celastrol promotes apoptosis of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells by targeting HSDL2

Objective: Celastrol is a pentacyclic triterpenoid extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Tripterygium wilfordii. This study aims to provide a scientific basis for the rational development and use of celastrol in breast cancer. Method: A quantitative chemical biology approach was used to investigate the protein targets and molecular mechanisms of celastrol in breast cancer cells. Results: Low-concentration celastrol exerted an anti-tumor effect by directly binding to hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-like 2 (HSDL2) and inhibiting its expression. Moreover, the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2-associated X (BaX), increased, the level of the anti-apoptotic protein, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), decreased, and the rate of apoptosis increased. After the transfection of cells with si-HSDL2, the apoptosis rate was similar to that observed after the administration of celastrol. However, apoptosis was reversed by the overexpression of HSDL2. Furthermore, our mass spectrometry (MS) data indicated a relationship between HSDL2 and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. We also found that the expression of HSDL2 was directly related to the degree of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Conclusion: Celastrol may promote apoptosis by suppressing the HSDL2/MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

Preparation and characterisation of baicalin magnesium and its protective effect in ulcerative colitis via gut microbiota-bile acid axis modulation

BackgroundScutellaria baicalensis Georgi is a well-known herb in traditional Chinese medicine that is frequently prescribed for various gastrointestinal conditions, including ulcerative colitis (UC). Its primary active constituent, baicalin, has poorly water solubility that reduces its efficacy. PurposeTo enhance the aqueous solubility of baicalin by optimising its extraction process. We compared the modulatory effects of isolated water-soluble baicalin and water-insoluble baicalin on UC, and delved deeper into the potential mechanisms of water-soluble baicalin. MethodsWe successfully extracted a more hydrophilic baicalin directly from an aqueous S. baicalensis Georgi extract through the process of recrystallisation following alcoholic precipitation of the aqueous extract obtained from S. baicalensis Georgi, eliminating the need for acid additives. This specific form of baicalin was conclusively identified by UV, IR, atomic absorption spectroscopy, elemental analysis, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and ESI-HRMS. We subsequently compared the regulatory effects of baicalin on UC before and after optimisation, employing 16S rDNA sequencing, bile acid-targeted metabolomics, and transcriptome analysis to elucidate the potential mechanism of water-soluble baicalin; and the key genes and proteins implicated in this mechanism were verified through RT-PCR and western blotting. ResultsA new form of baicalin present in the aqueous solution of S. baicalensis Georgi was isolated, and its structural characterisation showed that it was bound to magnesium ions (baicalin magnesium) and exhibited favorable water solubility. Baicalin magnesium offers enhanced therapeutic benefits over baicalin for UC treatment, which alleviated the inflammatory response and oxidative stress levels while improving intestinal mucosal damage. Further investigation of the mechanism revealed that baicalin magnesium could effectively regulate bile acid metabolism and maintain intestinal microecological balance in UC mice, and suppress the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α signalling pathways, thereby playing a therapeutic role. ConclusionsBaicalin magnesium has good water solubility, which solves the bottleneck problem of water insolubility in the practical applications of baicalin. Moreover, baicalin magnesium exhibits therapeutic potential for UC significantly better than baicalin.

Selection and validation of reference genes for RT-qPCR in ophiocordyceps sinensis under different experimental conditions.

The Chinese caterpillar mushroom, Ophiocordyceps sinensis (O. sinensis), is a rarely medicinal fungus in traditional chinese herbal medicine due to its unique medicinal values, and the expression stability of reference genes is essential to normalize its gene expression analysis. In this study, BestKeeper, NormFinder and geNorm, three authoritative statistical arithmetics, were applied to evaluate the expression stability of sixteen candidate reference genes (CRGs) in O. sinensis under different stress [low temperature (4°C), light treatment (300 lx), NaCl (3.8%)] and different development stages (mycelia, primordia and fruit bodies) and formation of morphologic mycelium (aeriasubstrate, hyphae knot mycelium). The paired variation values indicated that two genes could be enough to accurate standardization exposed to different conditions of O.sinensis. Among these sixteen CRGs, 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) and beta-Tubulin (β-TUB) showed the topmost expression stability in O.sinensis exposed to all conditions, while glutathione hydrolase proenzym (GGT) and Phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) showed the least expression stability. The optimal reference gene in different conditions was various. β-TUB and Ubiquitin (UBQ) were identified as the two most stable genes in different primordia developmental stage, while phosphoglucomutase (PGM) with elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α) and 18S rRNA with UBQ were the most stably expressed for differentially morphologic mycelium stages and different stresses, respectively. These results will contribute to more accurate evaluation of the gene relative expression levels in O.sinensis under different conditions using the optimal reference gene in real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis.

Dahuang-Wumei decoction protects against hepatic encephalopathy in mice: Behavioural, biochemical, and molecular evidence

BackgroundDisturbance of the blood‒brain barrier (BBB) and associated inflammatory responses are observed in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and can cause long-term complications. Dahuang-Wumei decoction (DWD) is a renowned traditional Chinese herbal medicine with a long history of clinical use and has been widely employed as an effective treatment for hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Despite its established efficacy, the precise mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of DWD have not been fully elucidated. PurposeThe present study aimed to comprehensively explore the potential effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of DWD on HE through an integrated investigation that included both in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsIn the present study, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and thioacetamide (TAA) were used to establish an HE model in mice. The therapeutic effects of DWD on liver injury, fibrosis, brain injury, behaviour, and consciousness disorders were evaluated in vivo. C8-D1A and bEnd.3 cells were used to construct a BBB model in vitro. The effects of DWD on proinflammatory factor expression, BBB damage and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway were detected in vivo and in vitro. ResultsOur results showed that DWD can improve liver injury and fibrosis and brain damage and inhibit neurofunctional and behavioural disorders in mice with HE. Afterwards, we found that DWD decreased the levels of proinflammatory factors and suppressed BBB disruption by increasing the levels of junction proteins in vivo and vitro. Further studies verified that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may play a pivotal role in mediating the inhibitory effect of DWD on HE. ConclusionThese results demonstrated that DWD can treat HE by preventing BBB disruption, and the underlying mechanisms involved were associated with the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the inhibition of inflammatory responses.

Three-tiered authentication of herbal traditional Chinese medicine ingredients used in women's health provides progressive qualitative and quantitative insight.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal products are increasingly used in Europe, but prevalent authentication methods have significant gaps in detection. In this study, three authentication methods were tested in a tiered approach to improve accuracy on a collection of 51 TCM plant ingredients obtained on the European market. We show the relative performance of conventional barcoding, metabarcoding and standardized chromatographic profiling for TCM ingredients used in one of the most diagnosed disease patterns in women, endometriosis. DNA barcoding using marker ITS2 and chromatographic profiling are methods of choice reported by regulatory authorities and relevant national pharmacopeias. HPTLC was shown to be a valuable authentication tool, combined with metabarcoding, which gives an increased resolution on species diversity, despite dealing with highly processed herbal ingredients. Conventional DNA barcoding as a recommended method was shown to be an insufficient tool for authentication of these samples, while DNA metabarcoding yields an insight into biological contaminants. We conclude that a tiered identification strategy can provide progressive qualitative and quantitative insight in an integrative approach for quality control of processed herbal ingredients.

The Tanshinones (Tan) Extract From Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge Induces ROS-Dependent Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer via AKT Hyperactivation-Mediated FOXO3/SOD2 Signaling.

Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) is a commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer to relieve the symptom of "blood stasis and toxin accumulation." Tanshinones (Tan), the main lipophilic constituents extracted from the roots and rhizomes of SM, have been reported to possess anticancer functions in several cancers. But the mechanism of how the active components work in pancreatic cancer still need to be clarified. In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Tan in pancreatic cancer and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The viabilities of PANC-1 and Bxpc-3 cells were determined by MTT assay, after treatment with various concentrations of Tan. The apoptotic cells were quantified by annexin V-FITC/PI staining and DAPI staining assays. The expression of relative proteins was used western blotting. Tumor growth was assessed by subcutaneously inoculating cells into C57BL/6 mice. Our experiments discovered that Tan effectively suppressed pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Mechanistically, we propose that Tan enhances intracellular ROS levels by activating the AKT/FOXO3/SOD2 signaling pathway, ultimately leading to apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. In vivo assay showed the antitumor effect of Tan. Tan, a natural compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza, was found to effectively suppress pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and promote apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we propose a positive feedback loop mechanism. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular pathways driving pancreatic cancer progression.

Advances in traditional Chinese herbal medicine and their pharmacodynamic mechanisms in cancer immunoregulation: a narrative review.

The cancer-immunity cycle (CIC) is defined as a series of progressive events that cause an anticancer immune response leading to the killing of the cancer cell. The concept of CIC has important guiding significance for the clinical and basic tumor immunotherapy research. As one of the methods of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has shown unique advantages in multitarget and multipathway immune regulation. However, the tumor immune circulation targeted by CHM is generally unclear at present. To provide reference for future clinical and basic research, we systematically reviewed the existing literature on CHM (including CHM monomers, CHM compounds, and CHM patent medicines) and the mechanisms related to its efficacy. We searched the PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases for relevant Chinese-language and English-language literature published from January 1988 to October 2022. The literature was screened manually at three levels: title, abstract, and full text, to identify articles related to CHM and their mechanism of regulating tumor immunity. By further classifying the CIC, it was confirmed that CHM can regulate the activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages and promote the presentation of tumor antigens. Meanwhile, CHM can also reverse tumor-immune escape by enhancing T-cell proliferation and infiltration. In addition, CHM can also enhance the antitumor ability of the body by regulating the killing process of tumor cells. The theory of a CIC is of guiding significance to regulating tumor immunity via CHM.

Ultrasound-assisted Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction of Flavonoids from Scutellariae Radix and Evaluation of their Bioactivities In Vitro

Background: Scutellariae Radix, one of the most widely used herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine, exhibits various biological activities due to its chemical components, which stand out for a number of flavonoids. In this study, Ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction (UAATPE) was employed for the first time to obtain a high extraction rate and high purity of flavonoids from Scutellariae Radix. Methods: The Box-Behnken response surface method (RSM) was utilized to optimize the extraction conditions with the application of the new aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) composed of ethanol and ammonium sulfate. The major influence factors, including ethanol concentration, ammonium sulfate concentration, liquid-to-solid ratio, sonication time, and extraction temperature, were investigated by the single-factor experiment. The compositional characterization of flavonoids was characterized with HPLC-UV. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to research the surface morphology of raw material. Furthermore, the bioactivities of the extract obtained by UA-ATPE were studied in vitro. Results: The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: the ethanol content was 26.12% (w/w), the ammonium sulfate content was 20.02% (w/w), the liquid-to-solid ratio was 40 mL/g, the sonication time was 5 min with the ultrasonic power of 250 W, and the operating process was performed at room temperature. Compared with the traditional extraction methods, UA-ATPE exhibited higher extraction efficiency and better extraction selectivity. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging tests showed that enriched products possessed strong antioxidant activity. Conclusion: The study confirmed that the developed method of UA-ATPE could be used as an efficient, eco-friendly, and low-consumption method for the extraction and purification of flavonoids from Scutellariae Radix.

Natural herb wormwood-based microneedle array for wound healing.

Artemisia argyi, commonly known as wormwood, is a traditional Chinese herbal food and medicine celebrated for its notable antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This study explores a novel delivery method for wormwood, aiming for more convenient and versatile applications. Specifically, we present the first investigation into combining wormwood with microstructures to create a microneedle (MN) patch for wound healing. The wormwood microneedle (WMN) patch is formulated with milled wormwood sap, calcium carbonate, and sodium hyaluronate. The addition of 0.3% (w/v) sodium hyaluronate enhances the mechanical strength of the WMN patch. Pectin, derived from wormwood, is combined with calcium carbonate to create a gelatinous and solidified substance. The WMN patch exhibits a well-defined shape and sufficient mechanical strength to penetrate the epidermis, as confirmed by our results. In vitro experiments demonstrate the biocompatibility of the WMN patch with fibroblasts and highlight its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, the patch facilitates collagen deposition at the wound site. In an excisional rat model, the WMN patch significantly accelerates the wound closure rate compared to the control group. Our findings suggest that the WMN patch has the potential to serve as a natural treatment for wound healing. Additionally, this approach can be extended to other biologically active substances with similar physiochemical characteristics in future applications.