Search Results (1,261)

Background/Objectives: Traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM), comprising traditional Korean medicine (TKM), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and Japanese Kampo, is increasingly recorded in electronic health records, and sharing these data depends on interoperability standards. Yet, TEAM concepts rest on conceptual foundations differing from those of biomedical standards. Prior reviews examined traditional medicine’s own systems, not how TEAM concepts fit into mainstream biomedical standards. This review examined how TEAM concepts have been mapped or modeled into international health informatics standards. Methods: Following JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines with a Population, Concept, and Context framework, we searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and IEEE Xplore for English reports from January 2016 to March 2026, with gray literature and citation searching. Screening was conducted by a single reviewer with senior verification and a 10% inter-rater reliability check. Findings were synthesized descriptively by functional category and clinical object type. Results: Of 16,763 records, 10 studies (2017 to 2026) were included; seven addressed TCM, three TKM, and none Kampo. Terminology work predominated, most often SNOMED CT, UMLS, and MeSH. The OMOP Common Data Model was the only data model, and no exchange standard such as HL7 FHIR appeared. Representability followed a gradient by clinical object type: acupuncture points anchored directly to terminologies, whereas only 1 of 260 ICD-11 Chapter 26 patterns had a SNOMED CT equivalent. Symptoms and disorders fit only partially, and compound herbal medicines required extension or decomposition. Most studies supplemented standards locally, and none of their additions were incorporated into a released standard. Conclusions: The work identified here has centered on establishing shared meaning rather than moving data between systems, and because supplementation stays external, the same gaps recur. Because the search covered only English-language, internationally indexed reports, these findings, including the absence of Kampo, reflect internationally visible work rather than the full literature published in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese national databases. Priorities are upstreaming TEAM content, encoding it in exchange standards, and building dedicated content for patterns. Full article

Astragalus membranaceus (AM) has been reported to support immune function, but its epigenetic mechanism on immune restoration of cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression remains unclear. To evaluate the recovery of immune function, we assessed the injury of splenic pathology, cytokines levels in serum, proportional changes in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, and the recall response of Hspx-specific T cell. In addition, to define the underlying epigenetic regulatory mechanism, we measured the expression levels of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b) and the methylation status of the Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (Cpt1a) gene. The results showed that the crude extract of AM repaired the immunosuppression induced by CTX. This is reflected in the alleviation of splenic pathological injury, the elevated proportions of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, and the increased levels of serum IL-2 and IFN-γ. The crude extract of AM also enhanced the recall response of Hspx-specific CD8⁺ T cells; that is, the frequencies of the resulting IL-2⁺ and IFN-γ⁺ cells were significantly higher than those in the CTX + Vaccine group. All these results indicate that the adaptive immune response induced by the crude extract of AM is significantly enhanced. On the other hand, AM crude extract reversed the CTX-induced downregulation of Dnmt3a mRNA and restored CpG methylation of Cpt1a gene to a level comparable to the vaccine group at molecular level. Consistent with the elevated CpG methylation, CTX-induced upregulation of Cpt1a mRNA was also reduced. These findings reveal that AM extract enhances the antigen-specific functional recall responses of CD8⁺ T cells in immunosuppressed mice were associated with Cpt1a gene methylation, thereby establishing a translational link between traditional herbal medicine and modern epigenetics. Full article

Cold hypersensitivity in hands and feet (CHHF) affects 20–52% of East Asian populations, is more prevalent in women, and is managed with vasodilators in Western medicine or herbal therapies in traditional East Asian medicine. This study was conducted to compare the pharmacological characteristics of two heat-clearing (HCHs, Scutellariae Radix and Coptidis Rhizoma) and two blood-tonifying (BTHs, Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Paeoniae Radix Alba) herbs used for CHHF. Candidate herbs were selected based on herbology classifications, PubMed searches, and the Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline for CHHF. A total of 61 active compounds and 323 corresponding protein targets with CHHF were retrieved from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP), standardized via UniProt, and intersected with CHHF-related genes from GeneCards. Protein–protein interaction networks were constructed, core targets identified, and functional enrichment analyses performed using Reactome databases. A total of 166 herb–CHHF common targets were identified, including 24 shared across all four herbs. HCHs were primarily enriched in hemostasis-, immune-, and signaling-related pathways, whereas BTHs were associated with immune regulation, metabolism, and neuronal modulation. Notably, Scutellariae Radix and Paeoniae Radix Alba showed substantial overlap in enriched pathways. These findings suggest that HCHs and BTHs may be associated with distinct yet potentially relevant molecular mechanisms in CHHF. However, because the present analysis was conducted at the single-herb level, these findings cannot be directly generalized to the clinical use of multi-herb formulas and should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating. Full article

Species belonging to the genus Seseli have long been known to be used as herbal remedies in traditional medicine for various purposes such as colds, inflammation, pain, and gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, in this study, the flower parts of Seseli transcaucasicum (Schischk.) Pimenov & Sdobnina were extracted using methanol and acetone to investigate their phytochemical composition and antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. For this purpose, total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH free radical scavenging activity (RSA), phenolic component (PCs) profile, volatile component composition, antimicrobial effect, and cytotoxic potential on the HT29 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line were evaluated. When the results were examined, HPLC analysis of phenolic components revealed that both extracts contained particularly high levels of rosmarinic acid, catechin, and quercetin. Among these, rosmarinic acid was detected in the highest amount, with 15.195 mg/g in the methanol extract and 14.929 mg/g in the acetone extract. The volatile components of this plant were determined by GC-MS, and a total of 29 volatile compounds were identified. Among these, β-pinene (220.792 mg/kg), Δ3-carotene (81.898 mg/kg), α-sedrene (63.331 mg/kg), elixen (44.535 mg/kg), sabinene (40.822 mg/kg), and D-limonene (38.422 mg/kg) were identified as the most dominant compounds. It was observed that the methanol extract had a higher total phenolic content (77.389 ± 1.389 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract) and higher free radical scavenging activity (40.933 ± 0.067 mg trolox equivalent/g extract) compared to the acetone extract. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans strains were used to determine the antimicrobial activities of plant extracts, and moderate inhibitory effects were observed against these microorganisms. The highest antimicrobial activity was determined by the 16 mm inhibition zone created against S. aureus by the methanol extract at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. The cytotoxic activity of the plant was determined by measuring its dose-dependent antiproliferative effect on HT29 cells. When the difference between solvents was examined, it was observed that the acetone extract at a concentration of 500 µg/mL reduced cell viability by 18.03%, while the methanol extract at the same concentration reduced viability by 30.56%. According to the results, S. transcaucasicum is rich in phenolic and terpenic compounds and exhibits antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic effects. Therefore, this plant species is considered a promising resource for the development of naturally occurring biologically active compounds. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ephedrae Herba (EH) is widely used in traditional East Asian medicine, but safety concerns regarding its adverse events remain. This study aimed to investigate EH-associated adverse events using clinical pharmacovigilance data and to perform exploratory in silico analyses to propose potential molecular mechanisms underlying these adverse events. Methods: A disproportionality analysis was performed using individual case safety reports from the Korea Adverse Event Reporting System database. EH-containing products were compared with other herbal medicine products using reporting odds ratios (RORs), proportional reporting ratios, and information components. Network pharmacology identified adverse event-related genes and pathways, and protein–protein interaction networks were constructed. Molecular docking predicted direct adverse event-associated targets of ephedrine and compared mechanisms with control compounds (aconitine and spinosin). Results: Four adverse-event signals were detected in the primary analysis: sleep disorder, dry mouth, insomnia, and palpitations. Sensitivity analysis identified four signals, with three (dry mouth, insomnia, and palpitations) consistent across both analyses; constipation emerged only in the sensitivity analysis. Conclusions: Adverse event-associated network analysis predicted key pathways: Neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, Pathways of neurodegeneration, and Dopaminergic synapse. Molecular docking predicted that ephedrine may act on downstream signaling mechanisms shared by neurotransmitter systems, including the dopaminergic system, distinct from control compounds. Full article

The BMP2-Smad signaling pathway serves as a central regulator of osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, rendering it a promising target for the discovery of osteogenic agents from natural sources. Nonetheless, direct BMP2-binding ligands derived from complex herbal extracts remain poorly characterized. In the present study, surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based target fishing against BMP2, in conjunction with UPLC-Q-TOF-MS identification, was employed to screen for bioactive ligands from Periploca forrestii, a traditional Miao medicinal plant used for bone-related conditions. Six caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, namely neochlorogenic acid (NCA), 3-O-caffeoyl-4-O-sinapoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid (CA), cryptochlorogenic acid (CCA), isochlorogenic acid B (IB), and isochlorogenic acid C (IC), were captured as direct BMP2-binding ligands. All six compounds promoted osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in MC3T3-E1 Subclone 14 cells, with IB displaying the strongest binding affinity and bioactivity. Mechanistically, IB failed to rescue the osteogenic suppression induced by the BMP type I receptor inhibitor LDN-193189, indicating its dependence on BMP signaling. In an LPS-induced inflammatory model, IB significantly reversed the downregulation of key proteins in the BMP2-Smad pathway (p-Smad1, Smad4, and Runx2) and osteogenic marker genes (Osterix, COL1A1, and OCN), demonstrating its capacity to restore osteogenic function under compromised conditions. Collectively, these findings establish that caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, particularly IB, function as BMP2-targeting osteogenic constituents of P. forrestii that activate BMP2-Smad signaling to promote osteoblast differentiation, thereby offering a pharmacological basis for the development of natural product-derived osteogenic agents. Full article

Fever is one of the most common health conditions traditionally treated with medicinal plants in rural communities, yet comprehensive documentation of antipyretic ethnomedicinal knowledge in northeastern Thailand remains limited. This study presents a focused ethnobotanical analysis of medicinal plants used for fever treatment in Yasothon Province, northeastern Thailand, and assesses informant agreement regarding their antipyretic use using the fidelity level (FL). Ethnomedicinal data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and guided field walks with 108 informants from nine districts between April 2024 and February 2026, and records related to fever treatment were extracted for detailed analysis. Voucher specimens were collected and taxonomically verified. A total of 129 medicinal plant species belonging to 108 genera and 46 families were recorded. Fabaceae was the most represented family, while native species predominated (83.72%). Trees constituted the largest growth form (45.74%), and wild plants accounted for 62.02% of all recorded species. Roots were the most frequently used plant part (39.53%), and decoction was the principal preparation method (93.02%). Twenty-five species exhibited an FL value of 100%. These findings highlight the richness of traditional antipyretic knowledge in Yasothon Province and provide a useful baseline for the preservation of biocultural heritage and for future ethnopharmacological research on medicinal plants used in fever treatment. Full article

Recurrent vaginal disorders remain a significant clinical challenge despite available antimicrobial and hormonal therapies. Therefore, natural, probiotic, and biological intravaginal preparations have been investigated as locally delivered adjunctive or supportive approaches for infectious, inflammatory, and atrophic vaginal conditions, with growing attention to how dosage form, mucosal retention, drug release, and patient acceptability influence clinical utility. This structured narrative review of 119 studies across six databases synthesizes clinical evidence for phytochemical-based and biological intravaginal preparations, organized into five formulation categories: creams and gels, suppositories and vaginal tablets, douches and washes, probiotic preparations, and combined phytochemical–biological preparations. Across formulation types, creams and gels were associated with application convenience and local symptom relief, whereas suppositories and vaginal tablets offered longer mucosal contact, dosing precision, and sustained exposure. Herbal intravaginal preparations were the most diverse, encompassing traditional medicine-derived creams, gels, suppositories, tablets, washes, and fumigation-based approaches. Among these, Zataria multiflora- and Sophora flavescens-based formulations were supported by comparatively consistent clinical signals. Probiotic preparations provided an important microbiome-directed model, whereas combined phytochemical–biological preparations remained preliminary. These findings support moving beyond active ingredient selection toward intravaginal formulation optimization. However, heterogeneity in formulations, comparators, outcome measures, and follow-up durations limited direct comparisons across studies. Full article

Gastrodia elata Bl. (GE), a representative medicine–food homology material, requires appropriate processing prior to food application to meet established medicinal quality standards. However, the effects of different traditional processing methods on its quality attributes remain insufficiently elucidated. In this study, three representative processing methods, steaming, moistening, and bran-frying, were systematically compared to evaluate their impact on the structural, compositional, and flavor characteristics of GE. The results demonstrated that processing markedly altered both the physical structure and chemical composition of GE. Moistening caused minimal disruption to the native tissue architecture and largely preserved the free-water distribution pattern. Notably, gastrodin and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol contents reached 0.38% and 4.16%, respectively, the highest among all treatments, while the overall flavor profile remained closest to that of fresh GE. In contrast, bran-frying induced pronounced dehydration and structural densification, with volatile compounds and differential metabolites accounting for 72.83% and 41.01%, respectively. This treatment also exhibited elevated levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and protein. Steaming, by comparison, promoted starch gelatinization and water redistribution, shifting the flavor profile from a delicate herbal note toward enhanced umami, floral, and mildly roasted characteristics. Overall, these findings reveal that processing-induced structural remodeling and changes in water state play critical roles in regulating the quality attributes of GE. By integrating structural characterization, water-state analysis, and multi-omics data, this study provides a systematic understanding of the formation of GE quality attributes under different processing methods, offering a theoretical basis for quality control and process optimization. Full article

Citrus plants are vital, globally distributed medicinal and edible homologous resources with a long application history in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and modern functional food industries. Representative Citrus-derived medicinal and edible herbs including Citri reticulatae pericarpium (Chenpi), Citri grandis exocarpium (Huajuhong), Aurantii fructus immaturus (Zhishi), Aurantii fructus (Zhiqiao), and Citri reticulatae semen (Juhe) possess rich bioactive components and diverse pharmacological activities, laying a solid material foundation for their dual food and medicinal applications. This review systematically summarizes the traditional empirical processing and modern innovative processing technologies of typical Citrus medicinal and edible homologous herbs, and elaborates the dynamic variations in core phytochemicals induced by different processing methods and parameters. Combined with modern phytochemistry and pharmacological research, the core chemical transformation mechanisms during processing, including hydrolysis, oxidation, polymerization and isomerization, are clarified, scientifically interpreting the TCM processing theory of “processing modulates herbal efficacy”. Meanwhile, the current research limitations of Citrus processing research have been analyzed. On this basis, future research directions are proposed, aiming to provide systematic theoretical support and practical technical guidance for the standardized processing, quality optimization, rational utilization and industrial upgrading of Citrus medicinal and edible homologous resources, and promote the cross-integrated development of TCM processing theory and modern food science and pharmacology. Full article

This study investigated the extracts and bioactive constituents of the aerial parts of Polygonum aviculare L., a well-known traditional medicine for inflammation and diuresis, through bioactivity-guided investigation and molecular docking analysis. Solvent extracts demonstrated significant antioxidant, anti-α-glucosidase, and anti-inflammatory activities, supporting their value for further pharmacological investigation. Among the isolated compounds, gallic acid (1), quercetin (3), myricetin (4), avicularin (6), and isorhamnetin (7) exhibited excellent antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay (SC₅₀ ≤ 6.50 μM) and were stronger than the positive control BHT (SC₅₀ = 36.99 μM). Kaempferol (9) (IC₅₀ of 4.50 µM) demonstrated the highest α-glucosidase inhibition, surpassing that of the clinically used acarbose (IC₅₀ = 519.7 µM). Additionally, gallic acid and quercetin demonstrated significantly stronger NO inhibition than apigenin, while kaempferol showed comparable activity (IC₅₀ = 15.06 ± 1.50 μM vs. 16.08 ± 1.86 μM for apigenin). Molecular docking analyses supported favorable interactions between the active compounds and α-glucosidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Kaempferol reduced the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and was associated with increased KLF4 and Arg-1 expression and decreased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and IκBα, suggesting a potential role in promoting an anti-inflammatory M2-like macrophage phenotype. Structure–activity relationship analysis indicated that flavonoid aglycones and specific hydroxylation patterns contribute to the observed biological activities. Collectively, these findings identify quercetin and kaempferol as highly active constituents of P. aviculare and support their potential for further pharmacological investigation. Full article

Irinotecan is a first-line medication for metastatic colorectal cancer. It is known that irinotecan-induced delayed diarrhea is closely related to metabolic processes in the human body. In particular, the synergies of multiple metabolic enzymes/transporters mediate the transport/regeneration of intestinal SN38. This efficient metabolite derived from irinotecan not only exerts robust cytotoxic effects, but also extends contact duration with the intestinal wall during enterohepatic circulation. These factors further affect the intestinal microenvironment, including intestinal flora disorder, intestinal immune dysregulation, and intestinal barrier impairment, which ultimately causes the occurrence of delayed diarrhea. At present, dose adjustment of irinotecan and combining drugs are common measures for clinical use. However, these regimens have shown limited therapeutic efficacy and face the risk of chemotherapy failure. Numerous studies have shown that herbal medicines and derived phytochemicals may also be promising complementary treatments. The characteristics of multi-target regulation of herbs are very suitable for the intervention strategy of complex diseases with multiple pathogenic links. This review focuses on the development of irinotecan-induced delayed diarrhea. We generalized the complex pathogenesis in detail and summarized relevant potential drugs and clinical agents. Special attention was paid to the feasibility of traditional Chinese medicine treatment. This will help expand medication regimens for irinotecan-related diarrhea and provide a reference for the development of precision drugs. Full article

Wolfiporia extensa (Peck) Ginns (WE) is a fungus widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Its four medicinal parts, Poria (WP), Rubra Poria (RP), Poriae Cutis (PC), and Poria Cum Pini Radix (PPR), are prescribed for distinct therapeutic purposes; however, their quality standards and pharmacological differences remain unclear. This study established reliable quality markers and compared the neuroprotective activities of four medicinal parts of WE. Seven triterpenoids were quantified using validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assays, while monosaccharide profiles were analyzed using 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone-HPLC. The International Commission on Illumination L*a*b* colorimetry and chemometric models were used for authentication. The neuroprotective effects of aqueous extracts were assessed in SH-SY5Y, BV-2, and HOG cell models. Network pharmacology was used to predict compound–target pathway relationships. The content of poricoic acid A (PAA) was the highest in PC; the content of pachymic acid (PA) was the highest in RP; whereas dehydrotumulosic acid (DTUA) was enriched in WP. WP demonstrated the highest mannose and galactose content. The water extract of WP reduced H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, whereas the PC extract alleviated L-α-lysophosphatidylcholine-induced injury in human oligodendroglioma cells. Network analysis identified PA, PAA, and poricoic acid B (PAB) as candidate bioactive compounds involved in neuroprotective effects. The PA/PAB ratios of ≥10, 1–9, and ≤1 were used to identify WP, RP, and PC, respectively. L* values of >80, 55–79, and <55 effectively discriminated WP, RP, and PC, respectively. This integrative study identified chemical and functional quality markers and demonstrated distinct neuroprotective profiles in different parts of WE, supporting their standardized and rational application in traditional medicine and nutraceuticals. Full article

Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a simple natural phenolic acid widely distributed in plants. It is recognized as an active constituent of numerous traditional herbal medicines and serves as an important metabolic intermediate of polyphenolic compounds such as anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins. At present, PCA production relies on plant extraction and microbial fermentation. Among these, microbial fermentation has emerged as an attractive approach for industrial development owing to its process controllability, environmentally benign nature, and potential for high productivity. This review systematically summarizes the major pharmacological properties of PCA, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-aging, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities. It further highlights the therapeutic potential of PCA in the prevention and management of various chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and hypertension. Furthermore, this review summarizes the representative microbial biosynthetic pathways for PCA and discusses recent progress in metabolic engineering strategies aimed at enhancing its microbial production. These strategies include reinforcing precursor supply, redirecting metabolic flux toward the shikimate pathway, blocking PCA degradation routes, relieving intracellular feedback regulation, improving host tolerance, and optimizing fermentation processes to achieve higher PCA productivity and yield. Finally, the major bottlenecks limiting PCA biomanufacturing are discussed, and prospective directions for future research are proposed. Full article

Hosta ventricosa, also known as blue plantain lily, is an important traditional herbal medicinal and ornamental plant in China. Prior to this study, no virus has been reported to infect H. ventricosa plants. Based on RNA-seq, transmission electron microscopy, and RT-PCR analyses, we have demonstrated that the H. ventricosa plant showing leaf chlorosis, mottle, mosaic, and crinkling symptoms was co-infected with hosta virus X (HVX) and a novel luteovirus, which we tentatively named hosta ventricosa luteovirus (HVLV). The genome of HVLV is a 5723 nt long, positive-sense, and single-stranded RNA with seven open reading frames (ORFs). Phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid (aa) sequence of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) revealed that HVLV is clustered within the genus Luteovirus. The HVLV RdRp shares 9.75–45.17% aa sequence identity with the 14 closely related luteoviruses. The P1–2 and P3–5 proteins of HVLV were identified as potential viral pathogenicity determinants through the PVX heterologous expression in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Moreover, P2, P5 and P3–5 proteins of HVLV have been found to exhibit RNA silencing suppression activities. Additionally, we have successfully constructed an infectious cDNA clone of HVLV and uncovered that this infectious cDNA clone can infect N. benthamiana plants through agroinfiltration. These findings have expanded our understanding of luteoviruses and their host range. Full article