Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Unveiling the molecular mechanisms of Zhuang medicine in liver cancer treatment: From Active ingredient screening to diosgenin-mediated targeted regulation","authors":"Hui Jia ,&nbsp;Zepeng Liu ,&nbsp;Zhiyong Yi ,&nbsp;Chaofeng Wu ,&nbsp;Chang Liu ,&nbsp;Peiting Yan ,&nbsp;Kaijun Gu ,&nbsp;Jiansong Liao ,&nbsp;Min Luo ,&nbsp;Lei Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100782","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100782","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Zhuang medicine has long been used for the clinical management of liver cancer (LC); however, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain largely unelucidated. This study aimed to identify bioactive compounds within Zhuang medicine formulations and investigate their potential mechanisms of action against LC.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in LC were identified using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. High-frequency, robust herbs employed in LC treatment were screened utilizing established network pharmacology approaches, and their primary active ingredients were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. LC-associated gene datasets were integrated from GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), PharmGKB, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), and DrugBank databases. Key candidate genes were pinpointed through the integration of Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis. Molecular docking simulations using AutoDock software assessed potential interactions between the identified active ingredients and their putative targets. The therapeutic effects of diosgenin, a prioritized compound, were further validated through <em>in vitro</em> experiments utilizing Hepa1-6 murine hepatoma cells.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Screening identified ten frequently prescribed Zhuang herbs and eight core active ingredients. Molecular docking analyses revealed that diosgenin exhibits favorable binding affinity with key targets CAT, NR1I2 (PXR), and NR3C2 (MR). In vitro validation demonstrated that diosgenin dose-dependently and significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of Hepa1-6 cells. Furthermore, Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses confirmed that diosgenin treatment significantly reduced the expression levels of metastasis-associated proteins MMP2 and vimentin, as well as the proliferation marker PCNA.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study provides a systematic investigation into the potential active ingredients and molecular mechanisms underpinning Zhuang medicine's efficacy against liver cancer. Our findings strongly implicate diosgenin as a promising therapeutic candidate for LC and establish a crucial theoretical foundation for the further development of anticancer agents derived from Zhuang medicinal resources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100782"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147421377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Component identification and ameliorative effect of amyloid-β-induced toxicity in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans of Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu pills","authors":"Xin Wang,&nbsp;Jie Yang,&nbsp;Hong-Fen Jiang,&nbsp;Yi-Nan Yang,&nbsp;Mi-Na Yang,&nbsp;Li-Jia Ye,&nbsp;Miao Zhang,&nbsp;Zhan-Xin Zhang,&nbsp;Jian-Ye Dai,&nbsp;Dong-Qing Fei","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100784","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100784","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia which burdens patients’ family and society heavily. However, no effective cure for AD was proposed. Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu pills (EZP) is a kind of traditional Tibetan medicine formulation with a wide range of clinical uses. An increasing number of research demonstrates that EZP possesses neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect, suggesting that EZP could be a potential candidate against AD. This study was conducted with the aim to identify the components in the water extract of EZP (WE-EZP) and validate the effect of WE-EZP against amyloid-β (Aβ) induced toxicity in transgenic <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em> (<em>C. elegans</em>) AD model.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We evaluated the effect against Aβ-induced toxicity of six EZP extracts using the <em>C. elegans</em> AD‐like model CL4176 and CL2355. To investigate the impact on Aβ expression, transgenic worms CL2006 and qRT-PCR were applied. Network pharmacology was utilized to find out the possible mechanism and qRT-PCR was used for validation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>By screening from six extracts of EZP, the WE-EZP showed prominent effect in delaying Aβ-induced paralysis within the range of 1–6 mg/mL. This effect was further identified in CL2355. WE-EZP treatment significantly reduced the number of amyloid deposits in a dose-dependent manner and decreased the expression level of Aβ mRNA. Analysis of network pharmacology indicated that EZP may alleviate Aβ-induced toxicity by regulating antioxidant system and autophagy. Further study showed that WE-EZP may exert effect against Aβ-induced toxicity by up-regulating <em>daf-16, skn-1,</em> and <em>bec-1.</em></div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In conclusion, this study provided experimental evidence supporting the neuroprotective potential of WE-EZP against Aβ toxicity, primarily through the modulation of stress-response and autophagy pathways. Further investigations are warranted to identify the precise bioactive compounds and to validate the efficacy in mammalian models.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100784"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147421394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vitex negundo L.: A comprehensive exploration of its phytochemistry, pharmacological attributes and molecular docking insights","authors":"Naveeta Kotia ,&nbsp;Rachna Verma ,&nbsp;Reshma Sinha","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100762","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100762","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div><em>Vitex negundo</em> L. is a widely distributed medicinal plant especially in many Asian countries like India (Nirgundi) and China (Chinese Pinyin). In the ethno-botanical realm, it offers an expansive array of medicinal attributes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The literature search was conducted using key words ‘<em>Vitex negundo</em>’ or ‘Chaste tree’, ‘phytochemicals’, ‘pharmacology’ or ‘biological activities’, ‘molecular docking’, ‘traditional medicine’, ‘inflammation’, ‘clinical trials’ and ‘drug discovery’ from 1969 to November 2025 on various databases like Google Scholar, Science Direct, ResearchGate and Pub Med.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>By summarizing and analyzing a wide range of fundamental and clinical studies on <em>V. negundo</em>, it was observed that <em>V. negundo</em> derived phytochemicals and botanical extracts exhibit dose-dependent antioxidant, anti-androgenic, thrombolytic, anti-cholinesterase, α-glucosidase, and cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities. They influence various cellular processes, including programmed cell death, mitogenic signaling, and immune modulation through various signaling networks such as AMPK/PI3K/Akt/p38-NF-B, MAPKs/NF-κB, and TGF/Smad/Bcl2/caspase/LC3. It also affects various oncogenic signaling routes, including COX-1, MAPK, Akt, mTOR, PI3K/AKt, and Akt/FOXO3a. Notably, vitexin, an active ingredient, reduces leukocyte migration and inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and NO via inactivation of p38, MAPK, ERK1/2, and JNK signaling pathways. Another phytoconstituent, vitedoin-A, inhibits osteoclast development by blocking the ERK/NFATc1 signaling network. Molecular docking simulations revealed strong binding affinities of phyto ligands like negundoside, luteolin, 5,7-dihydroxy-6,40-dimethoxy flavonone, and 9-[4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl) oxan-2-yl]−1H-purin-6-one against specific key target proteins such as COX, HER2 (3RCD), PAK1, and Wnt, validating their anti-inflammatory and antitumor efficacy. Clinical studies revealed remarkable improvement in arthritis, cataract, respiratory diseases, and insomnia among selected individuals.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Further studies on the pharmacokinetics are required to establish its therapeutic efficacy, safety, and bridge traditional knowledge with modern drug development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100762"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146187333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"DNA methylation-mediated effects of traditional chinese medicine in atherosclerosis: a review","authors":"Tianming Feng ,&nbsp;Huimin Bian ,&nbsp;Ruigong Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100766","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100766","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Atherosclerosis (AS), the main pathological basis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, is associated with lipid disorders, inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction. DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism that plays a pivotal role in regulating the pathological processes of AS. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has multi-component and multi-target actions, has shown considerable advantages in treating AS through DNA methylation pathways. Natural Chinese herbal medicines with low toxicity and high efficiency can reduce blood pressure, protect vascular endothelial cells, stabilize arterial plaques, and participate in AS prevention and treatment via epigenetic modification, anti-inflammatory, and lipid metabolism-regulating effects.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive literature review was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and CNKI, focusing on TCM active ingredients and their role in DNA methylation in AS.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our article summarizes the latest research on how TCM and its active components intervene in AS by regulating DNA methylation. Specifically, TCM modulates site-specific DNA methylation to regulate lipid metabolism and foam cell formation, inhibit inflammation, alleviate oxidative stress, and balance phenotypic switching as well as the proliferation and apoptosis of VSMCs. These mechanisms provide novel epigenetic targets for AS treatment beyond conventional lipid-lowering therapies.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Integrating advanced technologies with TCM research and developing DNA methylation-targeting agents can improve AS therapy. This cross-disciplinary approach not only enriches the epigenetic regulatory theory of TCM but also paves the way for translating these findings into clinical practice. Our findings offer personalized therapeutic options for AS that do not depend solely on lipid-lowering mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100766"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146187342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Traditional Chinese medicine–derived phytochemicals in prostate cancer: Mechanisms, progress, and prospects","authors":"Karthik K Karunakar ,&nbsp;Kunal R Kataria ,&nbsp;Lincy Yabase ,&nbsp;Binoy Varghese Cheriyan ,&nbsp;Keerthi Varsha ,&nbsp;Sowmiya Philip","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100761","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100761","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men, with treatment resistance and adverse effects limiting the success of current therapies. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers bioactive phytochemicals with multitargeted anticancer properties. Among them, curcumin (from <em>Curcuma longa</em>, Jianghuang/Yujin), berberine (from <em>Coptis chinensis</em>, Huanglian), baicalin (from <em>Scutellaria baicalensis</em>, Huangqin), resveratrol (from <em>Polygonum cuspidatum</em>, Huzhang), and tanshinone IIA (from <em>Salvia miltiorrhiza</em>, Danshen) demonstrate significant therapeutic potential against PCa through modulation of key oncogenic pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This review synthesizes recent findings on the mechanistic and therapeutic roles of TCM-derived phytochemicals in prostate cancer, emphasizing their molecular targets, pharmacological pathways, and translational relevance.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, covering 2015–2025. A total of 1030 records were screened, and 75 studies meeting PRISMA 2020 inclusion criteria were analyzed, focusing on pathways such as AR, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, STAT3, and MAPK.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All five phytochemicals inhibited tumour proliferation, induced apoptosis, and reduced metastasis. Curcumin and tanshinone IIA suppressed AR and NF-κB signaling; berberine targeted AR/AKR1C3 and EMT; baicalin inhibited caveolin-1/AKT/mTOR and TP53/CDK2 axes; and resveratrol modulated PI3K/Akt/mTOR and AR-V7 pathways, reducing vasculogenic mimicry.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>TCM-derived phytochemicals exhibit multi-pathway anticancer effects through apoptosis induction, oxidative stress modulation, and AR pathway suppression. Despite promising preclinical outcomes, limited bioavailability and clinical validation remain challenges. Advances in nanodelivery systems and pharmacokinetic optimization could facilitate their clinical translation for prostate cancer therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100761"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improved cardiac function by Ganoderma lucidum spore oil in high-altitude residents: A single-arm trials","authors":"Chun-Wei Jiao ,&nbsp;Cong-Cong Gong ,&nbsp;Hui-Jia Liang ,&nbsp;Xiao-Yi Li ,&nbsp;Burton B Yang ,&nbsp;Yu-E Wang ,&nbsp;Si-En Cen ,&nbsp;Jin-Dong Xu ,&nbsp;Jian Chen ,&nbsp;Sheng Wang ,&nbsp;Yi-Zhen Xie","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100763","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100763","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Ganoderma lucidum</em> spore oil (GLSO) contains small molecules that are efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream upon oral administration. Previous studies suggest potential cardio-protective roles of GLSO, relevant for myocardial injury (MI) patients.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To evaluate the effects of GLSO on cardiac function in MI patients residing at high altitudes (above 3500 m), we focused on the improvements of ventricular function, alterations in energy metabolism, and modulation of gut microbiota.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>A single-arm clinical trial was performed involving 38 Tibetan MI patients to assess the efficacy of GLSO over eight-week treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Patients received GLSO orally for eight weeks, followed by cardiac assessment, metabolomic analysis, and gut microbiota analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Cardiac functional improvements were observed with enhanced left ventricular diastolic performance and reduced cardiac regurgitation in 47.06 % of patients. A decrease in electrocardiographic abnormalities was detected in 77.78 % of patients. Metabolomic profiling revealed significant reductions in fatty acids and acylcarnitines, with concurrent increases in bile acids and β-alanine levels. Gut microbiota analysis indicated increased microbial diversity and a notable rise in Akkermansia populations.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The GLSO oral preparation appears to improve cardiac function in high-altitude MI patients. These benefits may be mediated through enhanced β-oxidation of fatty acids and favorable modulation of gut microbiota. Our study suggests a promising therapeutic role for GLSO in this patient population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100763"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146187830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reframing antimicrobial synergy through traditional and translational lenses","authors":"Md. Sanower Hossain","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100739","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100739","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100739"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145750390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modulatory Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Gut–Liver and Adipose–Liver Axis Dysfunction in MASLD","authors":"Sampat Singh Tanwar,&nbsp;Seema Sharma","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100743","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100743","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Introduction&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting around 24% of the population, with regional prevalence ranging from 31.8% in the Middle East to 13.5% in Africa (WHO). MASLD encompasses a spectrum from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Its complex pathogenesis involves insulin resistance, obesity, genetic factors, and chronic inflammation, leading to excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Current Western treatments primarily address symptoms but offer limited efficacy. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides a holistic approach focused on restoring Yin-Yang balance and Qi flow, viewing liver dysfunction as related to dampness and Qi stagnation. Modern research supports TCM’s multi-target actions, showing herbal medicines improve gut microbiota, strengthen the intestinal barrier, reduce inflammation, and modulate adipokines and insulin sensitivity. These mechanisms support TCM’s potential systemic efficacy in managing MASLD, integrating traditional theory with modern pharmacology.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify relevant preclinical and clinical studies published up to 2025. The search strategy employed combinations of keywords such as “Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD),” “Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),” “gut-liver axis,” “adipose-liver axis,” “herbal medicine,” “gut microbiota,” and “adipokines.” Studies were included if they investigated molecular mechanisms or therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal medicines in MASLD models, particularly focusing on modulation of the gut-liver and adipose tissue-liver axes. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental studies, as well as relevant clinical trials, were considered. Studies were excluded if they were non-English, case reports, reviews without original data, or lacked mechanistic or therapeutic relevance. This approach aimed to ensure a comprehensive and focused synthesis of high-quality evidence supporting the systemic effects of TCM in MASLD.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Recent studies highlight the gut-liver and adipose-liver axes as key contributors to MASLD progression. Gut dysbiosis alters bile acids, tryptophan catabolites, and BCAAs, where &lt;em&gt;Bacteroides&lt;/em&gt; species promote secondary bile acid accumulation, disrupting FXR signaling and causing lipid imbalance and inflammation. Tryptophan-derived indoles impair gut barrier integrity, worsening liver inflammation and fibrosis, while elevated BCAAs associate with insulin resistance and hepatocyte damage. Obesity-induced adipose dysfunction drives MASLD by releasing excess FFAs, activating NF-κB and PPAR-γ pathways, and secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), further impairing","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100743"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The anti-tumor effect of chinese medicine extracts camptothecin -AS1411 system","authors":"Zhanbiao He ,&nbsp;Zhen Wang ,&nbsp;Lu Ga ,&nbsp;Jun Ai ,&nbsp;Xin Tong","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100732","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100732","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Introduction&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The AS1411 aptamer has shown great potential in the development of targeted anti-tumor drug delivery systems. &lt;strong&gt;Camptothecin (CPT, Xǐshù Jiǎn)&lt;/strong&gt;, a cytotoxic quinoline alkaloid first isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine &lt;em&gt;Camptotheca acuminata&lt;/em&gt; (Xǐshù), has been extensively used in various Chinese medicinal preparations including Xi Shu Injection and compound formulations combined with other herbs for cancer treatment. Despite its potent antitumor activity demonstrated in both traditional applications and modern clinical studies, the clinical application of CPT is limited by poor water solubility, low stability, and lack of tumor selectivity. Although some studies have combined AS1411 with chemotherapeutic drugs, the precise binding mechanism between the AS1411 G-quadruplex and small molecule drugs like CPT remains unclear. A systematic investigation into their interaction is crucial for the rational design of efficient and targeted drug delivery systems that can enhance the therapeutic potential of this important TCM-derived compound.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;In this work, we first synthesized a CPT-AS1411 complex and confirmed its formation. Subsequently, we employed a suite of biophysical techniques to decipher the binding mechanism between CPT and the AS1411 G-quadruplex. UV–Vis absorption and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy were used to verify complex formation and determine the quenching constant. Ethidium bromide (EtBr) displacement assays were conducted to probe the binding mode (e.g., intercalation or groove binding). Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy was utilized to monitor conformational changes in the AS1411 structure upon CPT binding. Furthermore, the effects of ionic strength and the stability of the complex under different storage conditions were evaluated.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed the formation of the CPT-AS1411 complex. The calculated quenching constant (K∼SV∼ = 0.5135 M⁻¹, K∼q∼ = 5.135 × 10⁷ M⁻¹·S⁻¹) indicated a static quenching process, suggesting the formation of a ground-state complex. EtBr displacement studies and CD spectral analysis collectively demonstrated a non-intercalative binding mode between CPT and AS1411. Investigations into ionic strength revealed that electrostatic interactions played a minor role in complex formation. Stability studies indicated that the CPT-AS1411 complex was more stable when stored at -4 °C compared to room temperature.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study comprehensively elucidates the non-intercalative binding mechanism between CPT and the AS1411 G-quadruplex through multi-spectroscopic methods. Our findings provide crucial molecular-level insights and a solid experimental foundation for the future development of AS1411-based targeted delivery systems for camptothecin and its derivatives, potentially enhancing their therapeutic efficacy a","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100732"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145694951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Harnessing cordycepin’s therapeutic potential: A review with special focus on breast cancer","authors":"Shanmugham Poongkuzhali,&nbsp;Natarajan Muninathan,&nbsp;Arumugam Suresh,&nbsp;Christina Beula","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100742","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100742","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Introduction&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Cordycepin (CD), 3′- deoxy adenosine, is a major bioactive compound secreted by the entomopathogenic fungus &lt;em&gt;Cordyceps militaris&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Cordyceps sinensis. Cordyceps sinensis&lt;/em&gt; is known as &lt;em&gt;DongChongXiaCa&lt;/em&gt; in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It possesses various pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-tumor activities. It also alleviates fatigue. Its therapeutic potential extends from cancer to several metabolic disorders. The therapeutic efficacy of CD in preclinical breast cancer (BC) studies has been highlighted with a focus on molecular pathways modulated by the compound.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;A systematic literature search was conducted across various electronic databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed in order to identify the relevant &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;in vivo&lt;/em&gt; studies. The chosen articles focused on the molecular mechanisms modulated by CD in BC and in other cancers. Articles related to therapeutic effects of CD against metabolic disorders, synergistic mechanisms with conventional treatments, bioavailability and pharmacokinetic limitations, clinical prospects and challenges of CD were also retrieved.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Pre-clinical studies reported that CD possesses broad spectrum of biological properties, such as anti-tumor, anti-aging, anti-hyperlipidemic, inhibition of fat accumulation, reduction of body weight, anti-viral, anti-SARS-CoV-2, anti-hyperglycemic and skin-lightening properties&lt;em&gt;. In vitro&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;in vivo&lt;/em&gt; studies highlighted the anti-cancer property of CD against BC. It covers the molecular pathways modulated by the natural compound in BC. CD induced apoptosis by upregulating Bax/BcL ratio, cleaved caspases 8 and 7 and downregulating BcL-2 in BC cell lines as well as in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) xenograft models. It initiated autophagy in MCF-7 cells and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. CD inhibited cell invasion and metastasis by downregulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMP’s), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in TNBC xenograft model. It also downregulated EMT transcription factors in TNBC cancer cell lines, inhibited markers of hedgehog signaling pathway. Several other BC molecular pathways regulated by CD are also covered. Apart from anti-BC activity, it also possesses anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hyperglycemic, immunomodulatory, anti-obesity, anti-pigmentation, anti-anxiety, stress lowering, and anti-hypertensive properties. Pre-clinical studies on CD’s anti-cancer activity against colon, hepatocellular, leukemia and other cancers have been included. It displayed synergistic effects when combined with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, including doxorubicin, cisplatin, gemcitabine and apatinib. One of the major limitations of CD is the bioavailability of the compound inside the human body. As CD is susceptible to degradation by adenosine deaminase (A","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100742"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}