Search Results (194)

Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson is a species of Umbelliferae plants, and it is one of China’s traditional medicinal herbs, widely distributed in China owing to its strong adaptability in fields. In this article, the research progress on the taxonomy, distribution, cultivation techniques, active components, analysis methods, antibacterial and insecticidal properties, and ecological applications of C. monnieri was reviewed. The main active components in C. monnieri are coumarins (mainly osthole) and volatile compounds, exhibiting multiple pharmacological effects, e.g., anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and immune-regulating effects. Some modern analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC-MS, and UPLC-QTOF-MS) have enabled more precise detection and quality control of these chemical components in C. monnieri. The specific active constituents in C. monnieri (e.g., coumarins and volatile components) exhibit significant inhibitory effects against various pathogenic fungi and insect pests. Simultaneously, the resources provided during its flowering stage (e.g., pollen and nectar) and the specific volatiles released can repel herbivorous insect pests while attracting natural enemies, such as ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies, thereby enhancing ecological control of insect pests in farmland through a “push–pull” strategy. Additionally, C. monnieri has the ability to accumulate heavy metals, e.g., Zn and Cu, indicating its potential value for ecological restoration in agroecosystems. Overall, C. monnieri has medicinal, ecological, and economic value. Future research should focus on regulating active-component synthesis, improving our understanding of ecological mechanisms, and developing standardized cultivation systems to enhance the applications of C. monnieri in modernized traditional Chinese medicine and green agriculture production. Full article

Cornus officinalis is a valuable traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) plant species with both therapeutic and ornamental attributes. It is widely used in TCM prescriptions to nourish the liver and kidneys and constitutes a critical component of numerous classical formulas. In recent years, the large-scale cultivation of this medicinal plant has been expanded in Xixia County, Henan Province, China. Field investigations have revealed widespread brown leaf spot, accompanied by reductions in yield and quality. In this study, symptomatic leaves were collected for pathogen isolation. Tissue isolations consistently yielded a Colletotrichum fungus, and morphology combined with multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (the internal transcribed spacer, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, chitin synthase, actin, and β-tubulin) identified the pathogen as Colletotrichum siamense. Pathogenicity assays (conducted by either wounding and inoculating detached leaves with a mycelium plug or spraying a conidium suspension on healthy potted plants) reproduced field symptoms, and the pathogen was re-isolated, thereby fulfilling Koch’s postulates. In vitro fungicide assays showed that carbendazim, tebuconazole, and prochloraz were highly effective against the pathogen, providing preliminary information for chemical management. This is the first documentation of C. siamense causing leaf anthracnose on C. officinalis and provides a basis for developing targeted control strategies to mitigate disease impacts and preserve yield and quality. Full article

A molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor was developed for the selective and sensitive detection of glyphosate in Traditional Chinese Medicine samples. An excellent conductive hierarchical porous carbon substrate made from sodium alginate and ammonium chloride co-carbonization was used to build the sensor. The molecularly imprinted polymer layer was systematically designed using Density Functional Theory calculations, which identified nicotinamide as the optimal functional monomer. A deep eutectic solvent was utilized as an effective green eluent for template removal. Under optimized conditions, the sensor demonstrated a wide linear detection range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M with an exceptionally low detection limit of 8.8 × 10⁻¹⁰ M. The sensor exhibited satisfactory reproducibility (RSD = 3.35%, n = 6), repeatability (RSD = 5.0% over 6 cycles), and robust stability (retaining >90% initial response after 10 days). The sensor displayed satisfactory recovery rates of 94.47–112.23% and RSD values ranging from 1.37–3.01% when applied to real traditional Chinese medicine samples, thereby confirming its accuracy and practical utility for glyphosate residue analysis in complex matrices. This study introduces an effective sensing platform that integrates rational design principles with environmentally friendly synthesis strategies for quality control in traditional medicine applications. Full article

Cancer pain seriously damages the quality of life of patients, and its management urgently needs new strategies with both efficacy and safety. This review deeply analyzes the clinical limitations of WHO’s third-order analgesic strategy in cancer pain management, especially emphasizes the unique value of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in synergy and reduction in adverse reactions, and summarizes the network interaction of related drugs through the regulation of multi-target analgesic mechanisms such as inflammatory factors, ion channels, neurotransmitters, and even glial cells and osteoclast activity in the tumor microenvironment. Building on this foundation, the article systematically analyzed the clinical advantages and limitations of drug delivery systems (DDS): oral sustained and controlled drug delivery system, mucosal drug delivery system (MDDS), transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS), and intrathecal targeted drug delivery (ITDD) in the treatment of cancer pain for the first time. The development prospects of new DDS: microneedles, disposable intrathecal drug delivery, and nano-drug delivery system (NDDS) in cancer pain were summarized in detail. Looking ahead, research into the analgesic mechanisms of drugs holds promise for providing a theoretical foundation for cancer pain management. Collaborative strategies integrating Chinese and Western medicine, coupled with precision delivery technologies, are expected to advance more efficient and safer pain control, offering new approaches and methods for achieving superior pain management outcomes. Full article

Chrysanthemum, a traditional medicinal and edible plant, possesses diverse health-promoting properties attributed to its rich profile of bioactive compounds. However, the intrinsic quality, influenced by the composition of fundamental components like starch and lignin, varies significantly across different cultivars and origins. This study establishes a comprehensive phytochemical profile of 12 representative Chinese chrysanthemum cultivars by systematically quantifying their starch and lignin contents. Furthermore, it develops and validates a novel, low-cost rapid detection method for starch utilizing smartphone-based colorimetry. The starch content, determined by a colorimetric anthrone-sulfuric acid assay, ranged from 2.68 to 18.69 g/100 g, while the lignin content, measured via the acetyl bromide digestion followed by UV spectrophotometry at 280 nm, varied from 4.21 to 13.63 g/100 g, revealing substantial inter-cultivar differences. For starch analysis, a low-cost, immediate, general-purpose, and high-throughput (LIGHt) smartphone-based colorimetry was implemented. Standard curves constructed from both absorbance and the LIGHt assay demonstrated excellent linearity (R² > 0.99). The method’s performance was evaluated under different lighting conditions and across various smartphone models. The UV spectrophotometry condenses lignin quantification to a single 30-min digestion–reading cycle, bypassing the two-day Klason protocol and increases efficiency greatly. The work successfully provides a foundational component analysis and validates a portable, high-throughput framework for on-site quality control of plant-based products, demonstrating the strong potential of smartphone-based colorimetry for rapid starch detection and a complementary laboratory-scale lignin assay. Full article

In China, the concept of Medicine and Food Homology (MFH) is deeply rooted in the ancient practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Nonetheless, challenges persist regarding the low levels of bioactive compounds and limited absorption efficiency associated with MFH, as well as the potential toxic side effects of certain MFH substances. Probiotic fermentation emerges as a promising strategy to address these issues, as it can effectively transform and enhance the active components of MFH through specific metabolic processes. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the interactions between MFH and probiotics, the pharmacological benefits of probiotic-fermented MFH, the development of efficient probiotic fermentation systems, and the quality control measures necessary for MFH fermentation. Furthermore, the article discusses the challenges and future directions for MFH fermentation. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and synthetic biology techniques holds the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and efficacy of probiotic-fermented MFH. In conclusion, this article offers an in-depth examination of the potential for probiotic-fermented MFH to contribute to the modernization of TCM. Full article

Microfluidics enables precise manipulation of scarce Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) samples while accelerating analysis and enhancing sensitivity. Device-level structures explain these gains: staggered herringbone and serpentine mixers overcome low-Reynolds-number constraints to shorten diffusion distances and reduce incubation time; flow-focusing or T-junction droplet generators create one-droplet–one-reaction compartments that suppress cross-talk and support high-throughput screening; “Christmas-tree” gradient generators deliver quantitative dosing landscapes for mechanism-aware assays; micropillar/weir arrays and nanostructured capture surfaces raise surface-to-volume ratios and probe density, improving capture efficiency and limits of detection; porous-membrane, perfused organ-on-a-chip architectures recreate apical–basolateral transport and physiological shear, enabling metabolism-aware pharmacology and predictive toxicology; wax-patterned paper microfluidics (µPADs) use capillary networks for instrument-free metering in field settings; and lab-on-a-disc radial channels/valves exploit centrifugal pumping for parallelised workflows. Framed by key performance indicators—sensitivity (LOD/LOQ), reliability/reproducibility, time-to-result, throughput, sample volume, and sustainability/cost—this review synthesises how such structures translate into value across TCM quality/safety control, toxicology, pharmacology, screening, and delivery. Emphasis on structure–function relationships clarifies where microfluidics most effectively closes gaps between chemical fingerprints and biological potency and indicates practical routes for standardisation and deployment. Full article

Mycotoxins commonly contaminate grains and traditional Chinese medicinal materials, posing serious health risks to humans and animals. To address this issue, a magnetic microporous organic network (MMON) was synthesized via an in situ growth method and Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling for the simultaneous adsorption of seven mycotoxins, followed by UPLC-MS/MS detection. The optimized MMON featured a high surface area, uniform micropores, and rapid magnetic separation within 5 s. Structural and compositional analyses confirmed its tailored architecture, while DFT calculations revealed a pore confinement effect, π–π stacking, and hydrophobic interactions as the primary adsorption mechanisms. A magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) method using 8 mg of MMON achieved adsorption equilibrium within 10 s in 5 mL of a 4 mg/L mycotoxin standard solution. The material maintained over 95% efficiency across ten reuse cycles at a low cost. Under optimal conditions, an MSPE-UPLC-MS/MS method with a low detection limit (0.002–0.15 μg/L), wide linear range (0.01–100.0 μg/L), large enrichment factor (20.1–21.9), low adsorbent dosage, and short extraction time was developed. The determination of mycotoxins in complex grain-based foods and herbal products was also realized with recoveries of 81.32% to 116.10%. This work offers a rapid, cost-effective, and high-throughput approach for mycotoxin detection, supporting quality control in food and herbal product safety. Full article

Background: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a prevalent and debilitating urological condition affecting approximately 2–10% of men globally, with a substantial impact on quality of life, productivity, and healthcare utilization. Despite the availability of multiple pharmacological options, their comparative efficacy remains uncertain. This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of pharmacological interventions for CP/CPPS based on the NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar was conducted from database inception to January 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing pharmacological therapies with placebo. The primary outcome was a mean reduction in NIH-CPSI total score, with a clinically meaningful improvement defined as a ≥6-point reduction. Pooled mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models, and risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Results: Alpha-blockers demonstrated the most consistent benefit (MD: −5.13; 95% CI: −6.87 to −3.39; Low certainty), followed by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) (MD: −3.14; 95% CI: −5.38 to −0.90; Low certainty) and analgesics (MD: −2.47; 95% CI: −4.24 to −0.70; Low certainty). In contrast, antibiotics (MD: −2.45; 95% CI: −5.53 to 0.64; Very Low certainty), pollen extracts (MD: −2.56; 95% CI: −10.83 to 5.71; Very Low certainty), and other agents such as botulinum toxin A and anticonvulsants (MD: −6.94; 95% CI: −19.79 to 5.91; Very Low certainty) did not achieve statistical significance. The certainty for all interventions was downgraded from High due to risk of bias and substantial heterogeneity (I² > 75%). Funnel plot asymmetry suggested potential publication bias; however, Egger’s test did not confirm statistical significance (p = 0.626). Conclusions: Among available pharmacological options, alpha-blockers and TCM provide the most reliable symptom improvement in men with CP/CPPS, while analgesics offer modest benefit. Antibiotics, pollen extracts, and other agents show inconsistent or non-significant effects. The high heterogeneity and generally low certainty of evidence reflect variability in study quality and populations, underscoring the need for rigorously designed, standardized future trials to guide patient-centered therapy selection. Full article

The root of Zanthoxylum nitidum is used in traditional Chinese medicine, whereas its leaves remain an under-exploited resource rich in essential oil (EO). By integrating cytological, analytical–chemical, and chemometric approaches, we have dissected the ontogeny of secretory cavities and the temporal accumulation of EO in Z. nitidum leaves for the first time. Cytological analyses revealed marginal-tooth-slit secretory cavities consisting solely of a spherical domain formed via a schizogenous mechanism. The EO yield followed a unimodal trajectory, peaking at growth stages ZN-2 and ZN-3. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling identified 60 constituents; sesquiterpenoids reached maximal abundance at ZN-3, whereas monoterpenoids predominated at ZN-2. Second-derivative Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra exhibited pronounced stage-specific differences, and hierarchical cluster analysis coupled with principal component analysis reliably discriminated developmental stages based on their chemical fingerprints. These findings provide a robust cytological and analytical framework for quality control and rational utilization of Z. nitidum leaves, laying the groundwork for their full medicinal exploitation. Full article

Objective: Allergic rhinitis (AR) continues to adversely affect the life quality of a substantial patient population, highlighting the necessity for enhanced treatment modalities. Our research utilized licorice extract (LE) in nasal irrigation for managing this condition, with its therapeutic efficacy gauged against traditional saline nasal irrigation (SNI) through clinical trials. Additionally, the study incorporated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles, measuring not just subjective symptom relief but also the objective shifts in lung meridian electrical conductance (MEC), to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the treatment’s effectiveness. Methods: Based on our previous laboratory and animal studies, we developed an LE solution and applied it through nasal irrigation to treat AR. In a one-month controlled trial, 60 patients with AR received either licorice nasal irrigation (LNI) or SNI daily. We assessed treatment efficacy by subjective questionnaire scores (Total Nasal Symptom Score [TNSS] and 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test [SNOT-22]) and objective lung MEC analysis. Result: In the trial, 30 participants were randomly allocated to each group, and 28 individuals in the LNI group and 24 in the SNI group finished the study without any side effects. The LNI group had better improvements in sneezing, nasal itchiness, and rhinorrhea, along with a greater overall TNSS reduction. On the SNOT-22, the LNI group scored better across most nasal and extra-nasal symptoms, sleep, and physiological and psychosocial well-being. Participants were sorted into low, normal, and high lung MEC subgroups. After treatment, those in the LNI group normalized their lung MEC levels in both the low and high subgroups, which was not observed in the SNI group. Conclusions: LNI markedly improves symptoms in patients with AR, enhancing their quality of life. This treatment method, integrating Western and TCM practices, also normalizes abnormal lung MEC values following therapy. It offers a method of objectively validating the effectiveness of treatments based on TCM theories. Full article

Background: Qishen granule (QSG) is a widely prescribed herbal formula for the treatment of chronic heart failure. The mechanisms of action of QSG have been clarified; however, the effective substances remain unclear. This lack of clarity hinders quality control and the consistency of the clinical efficacy of QSG. Methods: In the present study, an integrated strategy for an efficacy- and in vivo exposure-oriented study involving metabolite profiling, molecular docking, in vitro bioassays, and in vivo pharmacokinetics was proposed for investigating the potentially effective components of QSG. Results: In total, 101 prototypes/metabolites were preliminarily identified and characterized by UHPLC-Q TOF-MS/MS. Molecular docking of the absorbed constituents with targeted proteins suggested that 49 potential components were highly related to chronic heart failure (CHF). Then, the effectiveness of these potential compounds was verified by the oxygen glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R)-induced H9c2 cell model. As a result, 14 active components were screened, and their median effective concentration (EC₅₀) was calculated and utilized to generate the weight coefficient for the bioeffect of each constituent. By exploring the kinetic parameters of the active compounds in a pharmacokinetic study, the exposure levels of these pharmacologically active compounds were determined by area under the curve (AUC_0→∞) calculations. Finally, by calculating the effect–constituent index (ECI) for each compound, five key active components (cryptochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid C, salvianolic acid B, and neochlorogenic acid), which possess both pharmacological activities and higher exposure levels, were revealed to be the key effective substances of QSG. Conclusions: This study is the first to combine pharmacological activities with in vivo exposure for investigating the effective components of QSG. The identification of key active components provides a foundation for improving the quality control of QSG in clinics. The efficacy- and in vivo exposure-oriented integrated method could provide reliable references for other traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Full article

In the regulatory market, it is not uncommon for ginseng radix et rhizoma (GR) to be adulterated with panacis quinquefolii radix (PR). Amid the digital transformation, this study puts forward a new method for the identification of GR adulterated with PR. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) was used to detect multiple batches of GR and PR to obtain mass spectrometry data. The common ions were isolated from multiple batches of GR and PR, serving as GR and PR’s “ion matrices”. Furthermore, GR and PR’s “ion matrices” were used to eliminate intersecting ion data to extract the top-100 ions as GR and PR “matrix identity cards” (MICs). Then, GR and PR’s MICs were employed as a reference for identification, yielding contrast credibility (CC) as feedback. The results indicated that leveraging the MICs of GR and PR enables efficient and precise digital identification of the two herbs: pure GR showed CC ≥ 95% when matched with GR MIC (≤2% with PR MIC), pure PR showed CC ≥ 93% with PR MIC (≤3% with GR MIC), and non-parametric analysis confirmed significant differences between groups (p < 0.01). Even in 5% PR-adulterated samples, CC ranged from 24% to 28% (avg. 25.8%) when matched with PR MIC, leading to a 26% adulteration detection threshold. Moreover, two adulterated batches were identified among ten GR blind samples, which was consistent with verification via PR-specific pseudo-ginsenoside F₁₁. This research is practically valuable for distinguishing between GR and PR, combating adulteration, and reinforcing GR quality management. It also informs the digital identification of GR via UPLC-QTOF-MS and “MICs”, contributing to the digital quality control of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Full article

Background: Shancigu is a traditional Chinese medicine which is effective at clearing heat, detoxifying, dissipating masses, and resolving nodules. It consists of the dried pseudobulbs of orchids such as Cremastra appendiculata, or Pleione yunnanensis. To deeply understand the differences in the compositional and pharmacological active compounds in Shancigu, this study employed widely targeted metabolomics to analyze differential metabolites between two Shancigu species, C. appendiculata and P. yunnanensis. Methods: In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to qualitatively, quantitatively, and differentially analyze the metabolites of C. appendiculata and P. yunnanensis. Results: Metabolite profiling identified 2890 compounds across 13 classes. Within these, 687 metabolites showed significant differential abundance (23.76% total), including 331 upregulated and 356 downregulated compounds. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed these differential metabolites primarily concentrated in stilbenoid biosynthesis (types I and II) and flavonoid aglycone biosynthesis. The most highly expressed metabolites in the Cremastra group were L-tyrosine, dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde-xylose-glucoside, while in the Pleione group, the most abundant metabolites were 3,5-dihydroxy-2’-methoxy-4-methylbibenzyl, Shancigusin F and aloifol I. C. appendiculata preferentially accumulates flavonoids and phenolic acids whereas P. yunnanensis favors terpenoid and nucleotide derivative production. Conclusions: This study identifies key differential metabolites in C. appendiculata and P. yunnanensis, providing basic data for the overall evaluation and breeding of Shancigu, laying a foundation for further quality control and precise medication of Shancigu. Full article

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (A. macrocephala), a medicinal plant extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine, is greatly susceptible to root rot under continuous monoculture, leading to serious yield and quality losses. To develop a sustainable control strategy, we isolated the endophytic bacterium Bacillus velezensis (B. velezensis) Amzn015 from healthy A. macrocephala plants and assessed its biocontrol efficacy and underlying mechanisms. In vitro assays showed that Amzn015 significantly inhibited Fusarium oxysporum and other phytopathogenic fungi by disrupting hyphal morphology and reducing spore viability. Pot experiments confirmed its effectiveness in reducing disease incidence and promoting plant growth. Mechanistically, Amzn015 induced reactive oxygen species accumulation and upregulated key defense responsive genes involved in salicylic acid, jasmonic acid/ethylene, and phenylpropanoid signaling pathways. The findings imply that Amzn015 synchronously activates systemic acquired resistance and induced systemic resistance in A. macrocephala. This dual activation contributes to enhanced immunity and plant vigor under pathogen challenge. Our findings offer fresh perspectives on the biocontrol potential of endophytic B. velezensis Amzn015 and support its application as an eco-friendly agent for managing root rot in medicinal crops. Full article