Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Exploring the mechanism of drug induced liver injury and the regulatory role of traditional Chinese medicine in related signaling pathways","authors":"Yong-qi Huang ,&nbsp;Shu-min Li ,&nbsp;Guo-dong Wu ,&nbsp;Jing-jing Guo ,&nbsp;Dan Yang ,&nbsp;Yu-kun Bo ,&nbsp;Xue-miao Yang ,&nbsp;Ya-nan Lv ,&nbsp;Qi-rui Zhang ,&nbsp;Dong-dong Zhao ,&nbsp;Ming An","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a significant clinical challenge. This review explores the molecular mechanisms involved in DILI and examines the role of TCM in regulating key signaling pathways such as JNK, Nrf2, NF-κB, PPAR, SIRT1, Bcl-2/Bax, and AMPK. The aim is to determine how TCM modulates these pathways to slow the progression of DILI and enhance liver recovery.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive literature review was conducted covering studies published between 2017 and 2024. Relevant articles were identified through PubMed and other databases using keywords related to DILI, signaling pathways, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This review summarizes current evidence indicating that multiple signaling pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammatory, and apoptotic pathways, are critically involved in DILI and are modulated by various TCM components.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>By integrating mechanistic insights across multiple signaling pathways, this review highlights the potential regulatory roles of traditional Chinese medicine in DILI and discusses future directions for mechanistic and translational research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100774"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147420154","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":"6-Shogaol enhances the chemotherapeutic efficacy of 5-fluorouracil through apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 breast cancer cells","authors":"Pitchakorn Sangchang ,&nbsp;Chanokbhorn Phaosiri ,&nbsp;Gulsiri Senawong ,&nbsp;Pakit Kumboonma ,&nbsp;Narissara Namwan ,&nbsp;Thanaset Senawong","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100785","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100785","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Ginger (<em>Zingiber officinale</em>) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a “cure-all remedy”. 6-Shogaol, an essential bioactive element from dried ginger, has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicinal preparations. 6-Shogaol has been reported to exhibit anticancer properties, including induction of apoptosis and epigenetic regulation. However, its potential in combination with standard chemotherapeutic agents against breast cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative effects of 6-shogaol alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or cisplatin in MCF-7 cells and to explore its underlying mechanisms of action.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Cell viability was assessed using MTT assays, while apoptosis and cell cycle progression were evaluated by annexin V-FITC/PI staining and PI staining, respectively, followed by flow cytometric analysis. Combination effects were determined using the Chou–Talalay method to obtain combination index (CI) and dose reduction index (DRI).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>6-Shogaol significantly inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and demonstrated higher selectivity toward cancer cells than non-cancerous Vero cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that 6-shogaol induced apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Combination treatment with 5-FU showed moderate synergistic effects (CI = 0.80 and 0.70 at 48 and 72 h, respectively) resulting in substantial dose reduction of 5-FU (&gt;20-fold) and enhanced apoptosis at 72 h. By contrast, the combination of 6-shogaol and cisplatin exhibited antagonistic effects (CI &gt; 1), with no additional benefit compared to single-agent treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings demonstrate that 6-shogaol is a promising natural compound capable of selectively suppressing breast cancer cell growth and potentiating the anticancer efficacy of 5-FU. The synergistic combination highlights its potential as an adjuvant strategy to reduce chemotherapeutic dosage and minimize toxicity, warranting further investigation in vivo and in clinical settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100785"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147421393","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":"A comprehensive review of the bioactive compounds and the various pharmacological activities of Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) plant","authors":"Sabina Yasmin ,&nbsp;Rasmita Nayak ,&nbsp;Fatima M Al-Salam ,&nbsp;Anupama Diwan ,&nbsp;Rani Mansuri ,&nbsp;Sumel Ashique ,&nbsp;Md Yousuf Ansari","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100746","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100746","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Mahua (<em>Madhuca longifolia</em>) is a tree commonly found in tropical regions (family: Sapotaceae). The main phytoconstituents present in flowers and other parts of the plant (known as sweet flower) have a wide range of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic applications in the treatment of various disease conditions, including hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperglycemic activities, especially for kidney stones. Recently, research publications have highlighted greater concern about the application of bioactive constituents and the identification of genes related to stress tolerance, which may help breed or engineer <em>M. longifolia</em> varieties with enhanced medicinal compound production, supporting consistent quality and efficacy in herbal products. The review further highlights the phytochemical composition of mahua, its pharmacological actions in treating certain diseases, and its full mechanism of action, including its pharmacological activities in treating various diseases and ailments.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>The main study aims to collect all data and information that are collected from previously published reports that are related to “<em>Madhuca longifolia</em>”, “Pharmacological activities of mahua”“, traditional chinese medicine” and their constituents, “mahua phytoconstituents”, which were retrieved from different databases (Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed). Hence, ethical authorisation is not required. We retrieved, finalised, and utilised a comprehensive review of 81 articles from 2000 to 2025.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Data from different sources have been collected, and each research publication related to our objective is being analysed. This review further highlights the phytochemical composition of other parts of the mahua plant and the reported pharmacological activities. This review suggested that its various applications warrant further research and investigation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Mahua’s flower is used as an ayurvedic formulation, and its extracts have potential for the treatment of various disease conditions and also boost immunity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100746"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939176","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":"Network pharmacology-integrated molecular docking and experimental validation: Unveiling the protective mechanism of sanhuang guben zhike formula in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease","authors":"Hongyan Lin ,&nbsp;Chaofan Pang ,&nbsp;Mengmeng Liu ,&nbsp;Yiwei Huang ,&nbsp;Xinru Xia ,&nbsp;Yaqi Xu ,&nbsp;Wenxue Sun ,&nbsp;Hongxia Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100733","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100733","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div><em>SanHuang Guben Zhike Formula</em> (SHGBZKF) is a classical herbal prescription for pulmonary diseases, but its material basis and mechanisms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are poorly understood. This study investigated its active ingredients and therapeutic mechanisms in COPD via network pharmacology, molecular docking, kinetic simulation, and in vitro experiments.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Active ingredients of SHGBZKF were screened using TCMSP and SwissADME. COPD-related targets were retrieved from DisGeNET and others, with overlapping targets identified. Core targets were screened via Cytoscape-constructed PPI networks; GO/KEGG analyses used Metascape. Ligand-receptor binding was evaluated by AutoDock Vina 1.1.2, and complex stability verified via GROMACS. β-sitosterol’s effects were validated in CSE-induced COPD cells.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 120 active ingredients and 208 common targets with COPD were identified, including core targets STAT3, AKT1, EGFR. KEGG showed activated PI3K-AKT and EGFR pathways. β-sitosterol had optimal binding energies with AKT1 (ΔG=-10.8 kcal/mol) and EGFR (ΔG= -9.7 kcal/mol), with stable complexes confirmed. It inhibited EGFR, AKT, MAPK pathways, exerting therapeutic effects in CSE-induced cells.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>SHGBZKF may alleviate COPD progression by synergistically regulating EGFR, AKT, and MAPK signaling pathways through components such as β-sitosterol. Our research first uncovered the molecular mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of SHGBZKF on respiratory diseases, and this finding is anticipated to lay a theoretical foundation for the clinical use of SHGBZKF.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100733"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145694953","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":"Data mining-based investigation of the compatibility principles of Astragali Radix-containing in cardiovascular formulas","authors":"Wenyu Jiang ,&nbsp;Xianxia Yuan ,&nbsp;Linling Su ,&nbsp;Ling Mo ,&nbsp;Jiaxue Wu ,&nbsp;Min Wang ,&nbsp;Donglin Liu ,&nbsp;Yang Hai","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100765","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100765","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Introduction&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major global health challenge. As a key herb for replenishing qi, &lt;em&gt;Astragali Radix&lt;/em&gt; (Huangqi) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions for treating cardiovascular conditions. This study systematically investigated the compatibility of formulas containing &lt;em&gt;Astragali Radix&lt;/em&gt; (Huangqi) for CVDs as documented in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2025 edition). This research aimed to provide evidence-based theoretical support for the standardized and rational clinical application of &lt;em&gt;Astragali Radix&lt;/em&gt; in managing CVDs.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;A structured database was established to systematically document key details of each formula, including the formula’s composition, therapeutic effect, properties, flavors, and meridian tropism. The frequency analysis provided a quantitative assessment of the prevalence of specific herbs, facilitated their classification into distinct therapeutic categories, and summarized their properties along with their associated meridian affinities. The Apriori algorithm was employed for association rule mining to elucidate the principles governing compatibility. To identify herb pairs and core combinations that are statistically significant, minimum support and confidence thresholds were established at 12% and 85%, respectively, following parameter optimization and a review of pertinent literature.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;A total of 35 cardiovascular formulas containing &lt;em&gt;Astragali Radix&lt;/em&gt; were analyzed, encompassing a total of 135 Chinese herbal medicines. The frequency analysis revealed that the most commonly co-prescribed herbs included &lt;em&gt;Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge&lt;/em&gt; (Danshen), &lt;em&gt;Chuanxiong Rhizoma&lt;/em&gt; (Chuanxiong), and &lt;em&gt;Codonopsis Radix&lt;/em&gt; (Dangshen), with the exception of &lt;em&gt;Astragali&lt;/em&gt; Radix. The classification based on therapeutic effect showed that the primary categories comprised qi-tonifying, interior heat-clearing, blood-tonifying, blood-circulating, and stasis-transforming herbs. The predominant properties were \"warm\" and \"cold,\" whereas the primary flavors used in the CVDs formulas included \"sweet,\" \"bitter,\" and \"pungent.\" The analysis of meridian tropism demonstrated that the main focus of the herbs was on the liver, spleen, and heart meridians. The combination of \"&lt;em&gt;Astragali Radix&lt;/em&gt;-&lt;em&gt;Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge&lt;/em&gt;\" exhibited the highest levels of support at 45.14% and confidence at 87.5%. The combination \"&lt;em&gt;Astragali Radix-Crataegi Fructus&lt;/em&gt; (Shanzha)\" showed a significant association strength, with support and confidence values recorded at 22.86% and 87.5%, respectively.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study provides a comprehensive analysis of compositional characteristics, frequency distribution, and compatibility principles of &lt;em&gt;Astragali Radix-&lt;/em&gt;containing formulas for CVDs. The core herb combination","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100765"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146187334","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":"Machine learning framework for multi-regulatory safety assessment of traditional Chinese medicine compounds","authors":"Oluwaseun E. Agboola ,&nbsp;Zainab A. Ayinla ,&nbsp;Samuel S. Agboola ,&nbsp;Oluranti E. Olaiya ,&nbsp;Babatunji E. Oyinloye","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100772","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100772","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Introduction: Traditional Chinese Medicine faces unprecedented regulatory challenges due to multi-component complexity incompatible with conventional single-molecule assessment frameworks, necessitating innovative computational approaches for cross-jurisdictional safety and efficacy evaluation. Methods: We developed an intelligent AI-driven multi-regulatory framework integrating 127 bioactive compounds from 24 herb species across systematic multi-database mining (TCMSP, TCMID, PubChem, ChEMBL). The agency-specific scoring algorithms modeled FDA, EMA, and CFDA regulatory priorities through the mathematical weighting systems. The machine learning models employed the Random Forest classification for toxicity prediction and Gradient Boosting regression for quality assessment; utilizes 20 molecular descriptors and ADMET parameters. Network pharmacology analysis revealed herb species interactions through centrality measures and community detection algorithms. Results: The cross-regulatory assessment demonstrated the substantial inter-agency variations (CFDA: 95.43±6.39; FDA: 89.96±10.70; EMA: 80.57±13.95). The AI models achieved a robust performance with the quality prediction R²=0.746 and the toxicity classification accuracy of 0.497±0.052. The feature importance analysis identified oral bioavailability as the dominant predictor (0.38), whereas the network analysis showed hub species with the superior regulatory compliance. Risk-benefit profiling positioned anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory compounds optimally for regulatory approval. Conclusions: This intelligent, multi-regulatory framework represents a paradigm shift toward precision regulatory science, enhancing traditional medicine safety assessment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100772"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146187341","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":"Buyang Huanwu decoction in the treatment of stroke: A review","authors":"Jinzhe Luo,&nbsp;Weibo Shao,&nbsp;Xiaojie Xue","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100748","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100748","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Introduction&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula created by Wang Qingren during the Qing dynasty. It is renowned for its effects of &lt;em&gt;Tonify qi,&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;em&gt;Circulate blood, and Unblock meridians&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; and is widely used in the treatment of stroke, for conditions such as hemiplegia and facial paralysis. The formula comprises seven herbs (see Table 2 for the complete list), including &lt;em&gt;Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels and Paeonia lactiflora Pall.&lt;/em&gt; This paper aims to provide a systematic review of the research progress on BHD for stroke treatment from 2019 to December 2025, covering both clinical efficacy and the multidimensional mechanisms of action. The review seeks to address the shortcomings of previous reviews regarding the comprehensive of mechanisms and their timeliness, while providing references for the modernisation of TCM.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Method&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;In order to evaluate the therapeutic effects of BHD on stroke comprehensively, we retrieved relevant literature published between 2019 and December 2025 from Chinese and English databases, including CNKI, Wanfang Database, PubMed and Web of Science. Search keywords included “Buyang Huanwu Decoction”, “stroke”, “mechanism”, “neuroinflammation”, “gut-brain axis” and the herbs that make up the decoction. This review was compiled by synthesising findings from animal experiments and clinical studies.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Preliminary, low-certainty evidence from the 19 included RCTs suggests that BHD, when combined with Western medicine or acupuncture, may be associated with potential improvements in certain clinical outcomes such as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Barthel Index(BL) scores; however, these findings are derived from studies with methodological limitations and require validation in more robust trials. Its mechanism of action is complex, characterized by multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway effects. More specifically, this formula regulates cerebral blood circulation, protects neurons, promotes regeneration and stabilises the blood-brain barrier (BBB). It also modulates the gut-brain axis.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Discussion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This review summarises the available evidence on the efficacy and pharmacological mechanisms of BHD at different stages of stroke. While the findings may inform targeted clinical applications, further validation is required. However, current research is largely confined to animal or cellular experiments and lacks direct evidence from human studies. There are ongoing challenges in clinical practice, including dosage optimisation and herb-drug interactions. Future studies may overcome these limitations by leveraging systems biology and metabolomics, and through deeper exploration of gut-brain axis mechanisms. Concurrently, the d","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100748"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884632","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":"Phyllanthus amarus as a multifunctional medicinal herb: Bioactive compounds, mechanisms, and clinical perspectives","authors":"Md Asaduzzaman ,&nbsp;Lutfun Nahar ,&nbsp;Mohammad Shahangir Biswas ,&nbsp;Munna Kumar Podder ,&nbsp;Md Matiar Rahman","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100752","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100752","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div><em>Phyllanthus amarus</em> Schumach. &amp; Thonn., commonly known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM as Yexiazhu (叶下珠, Yè xià zhū), is a widely used medicinal herb in Asian, African, and South American traditional systems. In TCM practice, Yexiazhu is traditionally prescribed for heat-clearing and detoxification, particularly in the management of liver-and kidney-related disorders, viral infections, and inflammatory conditions. Its rich phytochemical composition, including lignans, flavonoids, and tannins, has prompted increasing scientific interest in validating its traditional therapeutic applications.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>This review critically evaluates literature published between 1977 and 2025, encompassing classical TCM texts, ethnomedicinal reports, and peer-reviewed experimental studies. Major scientific databases were surveyed to collect data on phytochemical constituents, pharmacological activities, molecular mechanisms, toxicological profiles, and available clinical evidence related to <em>P. amarus</em> and Yexiazhu-based preparations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Pharmacological studies indicate that <em>P. amarus</em> exhibits hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and nephroprotective activities. These effects are primarily attributed to bioactive compounds such as phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, geraniin, corilagin, and quercetin. Commonly used TCM preparations, including aqueous decoctions and granule formulations of Yexiazhu, demonstrate therapeutic potential through modulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling pathways, viral replication, and metabolic regulation. Despite strong experimental support from in vitro and in vivo models, clinical findings remain limited, heterogeneous, and occasionally inconsistent, particularly for hepatitis B and metabolic disorders.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Collectively, <em>P. amarus</em> (Yexiazhu) represents a multifunctional medicinal herb with substantial experimental evidence supporting its traditional use in TCM and other medical systems. However, challenges related to species differentiation, phytochemical standardization, formulation variability, and limited high-quality clinical trials restrict its translation into modern evidence-based medicine. Future research should focus on standardized Chinese preparations, mechanistic validation, and rigorously designed clinical studies to clarify its therapeutic efficacy and safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100752"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977885","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":"Anti-proliferative activity of Delphinium denudatum wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson on U251 MG Glioblastoma Cells","authors":"Amit Man Joshi ,&nbsp;Sagar Atri ,&nbsp;Ram Adhar Yadav ,&nbsp;Santosh Kumar Thakur ,&nbsp;Mithilesh Sah ,&nbsp;Sirjana Shrestha ,&nbsp;Aftab Alam Shah ,&nbsp;Mukesh Kumar Yadav","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100753","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100753","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Delphinium denudatum</em> Wall. ex Hook.f. &amp; Thomson (<em>D. denudatum</em>), a perennial herb from the Ranunculaceae family, contains diterpenoid alkaloids with reported bioactivities. While certain <em>Delphinium</em> species are utilized in Chinese folk medicine for analgesic effects, specific documentation for <em>D. denudatum</em> in traditional Chinese medicine is limited. This study evaluates the anti-proliferative effects of its methanolic root extract (DDE) on the U251 MG glioblastoma cell line.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>U251 MG cells were treated with various concentrations of DDE and assessed for viability using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Fluorouracil (50 µg/mL) served as the positive control. The percentage of inhibition and IC₅₀ values were calculated from dose–response curves to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of the extract.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>DDE demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of U251 MG cell proliferation, peaking at ∼60% inhibition at 50 µg/mL, with an IC₅₀ of 43.75 µg/mL. Higher concentrations exhibited reduced inhibition, suggesting a biphasic response. These findings indicate selective cytotoxicity and therapeutic promise of DDE in targeting glioblastoma cells.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>These findings provide preliminary evidence of DDE's cytotoxic potential against glioblastoma cells, supporting further exploration of its bioactive constituents, such as diterpenoid alkaloids, for anti-cancer applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100753"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977883","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":"Integrative multi-omics analysis to decipher the mechanism by which the interaction between Danggui Buxue Tang and gut microbiota drives isoflavone metabolic transformation","authors":"Yutong Qi ,&nbsp;Zixia Chen ,&nbsp;Jiantang Zhang ,&nbsp;Ruilan Du ,&nbsp;Jingwen Shi ,&nbsp;Qizhu Chen ,&nbsp;Jun Chen ,&nbsp;Huaben Bo","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100744","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2025.100744","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a classic herbal formula traditionally used to \"tonify Qi and generate blood.\" Its efficacy is believed to depend on the biotransformation of its bioactive compounds by the gut microbiota; however, the specific metabolic profile and the key bacterial taxa involved remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An in vitro anaerobic fermentation model was established to simulate gut microbial biotransformation of DBT. This model allowed for a controlled and reproducible investigation of DBT-microbiota interactions. We integrated untargeted metabolomics (LC-MS) with 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze the concomitant changes in metabolites and the microbial community. PICRUSt2 was used for functional prediction. Additionally, network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to construct a \"microbiota-enzyme-metabolite-target\" network.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Untargeted metabolomics analysis identified 734 significantly altered metabolites following DBT fermentation, including notable increases in formononetin, biochanin A, and xenognosin B. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that DBT markedly increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium (from 0.05 % to 25.5 %) while suppressing Porphyromonas. Functional prediction indicated significant enrichment in the \"Drug metabolism - other enzymes\" pathway. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between specific gut microbiota and metabolites. A three-step metabolic cascade (glycoside hydrolysis → methylation → hydroxylation) was identified, which reduced toxicity by 90 % and increased clearance twofold. The metabolites exhibited strong binding to targets such as CDK2 (binding energy ≤ -7.24 kcal/mol) and were enriched in hematopoiesis-related pathways, including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>This study systematically elucidates how the gut microbiota transforms DBT isoflavones into active aglycones that target core hematopoietic proteins, providing a novel perspective on the mechanism of orally administered, poorly absorbable traditional Chinese medicine formulas. Our results confirm that the gut microbiota is indispensable for the efficacy of DBT.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100744"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840926","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}