Chinese Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Epigenetic control of the plant metabolome: implications for Chinese medicine.","authors":"Tae Kyung Hyun","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01217-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01217-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Epigenetic regulation-including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small RNAs-plays a crucial role in modulating specialized metabolism in plants; specialized metabolites confer crucial pharmacological properties to plants, forming the basis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Recent studies have highlighted the influence of these mechanisms on metabolite production in key medicinal plants such as Papaver somniferum and Salvia miltiorrhiza. Emerging technologies such as CRISPR/dCas9-based epigenome editing and miRNA modulation enable precise control of biosynthetic pathways. Integrating these molecular-level strategies into TCM research and the cultivation of medicinal plants could improve the efficacy and consistency of herbal medicinal products, providing molecular tools for the targeted regulation of active ingredients and thereby facilitating the modernization of TCM.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"165"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12498456/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145231560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deciphering the antiviral mechanisms of Fangqin Qinggan decoction against influenza A virus: a multi-omics and machine learning approach.","authors":"Huan Lei, Hao Zhang, Yixi Xu, Lianjiang Hu, Bin Zhang, Hao Zhou, Ping Wang, Simin Chen, Shijun Xu","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01211-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01211-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Influenza A virus (IAV) infection poses a significant global health burden, contributing to high morbidity and mortality in both humans and animals through rapid viral transmission and dysregulated inflammatory responses. Fangqin Qinggan Decoction (FQ-01), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has demonstrated clinical efficacy in treating viral upper respiratory infections, however, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain poorly understood.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of FQ-01 against IAV infection were comprehensively investigated using a multidisciplinary approach, including in vivo murine models, histopathological (H&E staining), RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC), network pharmacology, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), machine learning (LASSO), transcriptomics, metabolomics, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>FQ-01 significantly improved survival rates, reduced clinical mortality, and mitigated pulmonary inflammation in an IAV-infected mice while suppressing viral replication. Integrated bioinformatics and LASSO regression analyses identified 20 genes associated with FQ-01's antiviral effects, with Myd88 and Ccl5 emerging as key targets. Transcriptomic profiling of murine lung tissues further validated these genes as critical mediators of FQ-01's therapeutic action. Spearman correlation analysis revealed strong associations between Myd88/Ccl5 expression and serum/lung metabolites, particularly 3-indolyl sulfate and inosine. Subsequent in vivo RT-qPCR and IHC validation, molecular docking, and MD simulations confirmed that FQ-01 exerts its anti-IAV effects by inhibiting Myd88 and Ccl5 expression.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying FQ-01's therapeutic potential against IAV infection, highlighting Myd88 and Ccl5 as promising targets for antiviral and anti-inflammatory interventions. This study provides a foundation for further exploration of TCM-based strategies in combating influenza and related respiratory infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"158"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12497347/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145228499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Inhibition of P2X7 receptor in satellite glial cells contributes to electroacupuncture's analgesia in rats with CFA-induced inflammatory pain.","authors":"Yuxin Wu, Minghui Wu, Shuxin Tian, Zhengyi Lyu, Bei Zhao, Boxi Zheng, Junying Du, Junfan Fang, Xiaofen He, Boyi Liu, Xiaomei Shao, Jianqiao Fang, Yi Liang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01227-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01227-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Accumulating evidence highlights the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of electroacupuncture (EA), yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The P2X7 purinergic receptor (P2X7R), located in the peripheral and central nervous systems, has been implicated in the development of chronic inflammatory pain. Inhibition of P2X7R expression has been associated with the analgesic effects of EA. Within the dorsal root ganglia, P2X7R is exclusively expressed in satellite glial cells (SGCs), but its role in the anti-inflammatory effects of EA remains to be elucidated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A chronic inflammatory pain model was established in rats via intraplantar injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). Western blotting, immunostaining, behavioral assay, pharmacological interventions, AAV-mediated knockdown assays, SGCs culture and real-time cell proliferation analysis were utilized to investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of EA at the ST36 and BL60 acupuncture points in mitigating inflammatory pain.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Rats injected with CFA exhibited long-lasting pain hypersensitivity in the ipsilateral hind paw, accompanied by upregulated expression of P2X7R and TNF-α in the L_4-6 DRGs. Pharmacological inhibition or shRNA-mediated knockdown of P2X7R in SGCs significantly attenuated inflammatory pain hypersensitivity, reduced P38 MAPK phosphorylation, and decreased TNF-α levels. EA treatment significantly alleviated CFA-induced pain hypersensitivity and suppressed P2X7R expression alongside its downstream P38 MAPK/TNF-α signaling. The analgesic effects of EA were reversed by the P2X7R agonist BzATP. In vitro findings confirmed that TNF-α secretion by SGCs was markedly elevated in the CFA model but reduced by EA treatment, mimicking the effects of P2X7R antagonism.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings demonstrate that the inhibition of P2X7R in SGCs and its downstream P38 MAPK/TNF-α signaling pathway contributes to the analgesic effects of EA in chronic inflammatory pain. Targeting peripheral P2X7R in SGCs may provide new insights into the cellular mechanisms of EA's anti-inflammatory effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"159"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12497349/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145228487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multi-omics and network pharmacology approaches reveal the mechanism of action of KeKe tablet against post-infectious cough.","authors":"Mengyue Su, Jiahe Zhang, Shukun Wang, Weixuan Chen, Minling Lai, Lihua Peng, Yanling Liang, Yu Feng, Hua Zhou, Weilin Qiao, Peng Sun","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01199-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01199-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Post-infectious cough (PIC) refers to a persistent cough lasting longer than three consecutive weeks following an infection, despite the resolution of other symptoms and normal examination results. This common respiratory disorder significantly impacts patients' quality of life due to the ongoing coughing. The Keke tablet (KKP), an herbal medicine preparation, is frequently used as an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for respiratory conditions. However, the mechanisms underlying KKP's efficacy are not yet fully understood.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of KKP in treating PIC and to explore its potential mechanisms of action.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Rat models of post-infectious cough (PIC) were established through exposure to cigarette smoke, capsaicin nebulization, and intranasal instillation of lipopolysaccharide, followed by intragastric administration of Keke tablets (KKP). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining assessed the morphology of trachea and lung tissues. Cytokine levels in serum and lung tissues were measured using ELISA kits. Immunofluorescence techniques were utilized to visualize neurotransmitters in airway and lung tissues. Network pharmacology, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were conducted to explore the underlying mechanisms of KKP, while Western blotting estimated the expression levels of proteins involved in relevant pathways.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>KKP significantly improved the pathological damage in airways and lung tissues and enhanced lung function in rats with PIC. Treatment with KKP resulted in decreased concentrations of inflammatory mediators in both serum and lung tissues, alleviating inflammatory responses. Additionally, KKP effectively reversed neurogenic inflammation associated with PIC by enhancing neutral endopeptidase activity and reducing the levels of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide. Network pharmacology, transcriptomics and proteomics analyses indicated that KKP exerted its therapeutic effects by regulating inflammation-related pathways such as MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway. Western blot analysis further confirmed that KKP activated this pathway, evidenced by reduced expression of p65-NF-κB and p-38 MAPK following KKP administration.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings highlighted the clinical potential of Keke Tablet in the treatment of post-infectious cough, and confirmed that Keke tablet improved cough symptoms by alleviating inflammatory response. MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway is one of the potential pathways of Keke tablet in the treatment of post-infectious cough.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"160"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12495694/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145225099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine and mechanisms for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.","authors":"Miao Wang, Qing Yang, Ye Li, Yang Zhao, Junbo Zou, Fei Luan, Xiujuan Peng, Zhuangzhuang Huang, Feng Liu","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01222-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01222-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diabetes, a chronic metabolic non-communicable disease, has become prevalent worldwide. Its prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate, and the affected population is becoming increasingly younger, posing a serious threat to both individual health and social well-being. Notably, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for more than 90% of all diabetes cases, a statistic that underscores its dominant position in the disease burden. Despite substantial progress in the field of diabetes treatment, existing diabetes medications still fail to fully address the complex and pressing clinical needs of patients. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic drugs for T2DM is of crucial significance. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown significant potential in alleviating the symptoms of T2DM and improving patients' quality of life, providing an effective complementary approach to conventional treatments. This study systematically clarifies and reviews the pathogenesis of T2DM from multiple dimensions, including inflammation, oxidative stress, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, and gut microbiota. It also examines and summarizes TCM compound formulations and their main active ingredients that can improve the disease, and elucidates the disease-improving effects of these TCM ingredients targeting the aforementioned mechanisms. Studies have shown that TCM plays an important role in improving T2DM by targeting key mechanisms such as insulin resistance, β-cell damage, and glucose-lipid metabolism disorders. This not only provides valuable ideas and reference basis for researchers in endocrine basic research, pharmacologists, and clinicians to develop TCM with low toxicity and side effects but also opens up new research directions for the treatment of T2DM and lays a theoretical foundation for new drug development.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"157"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12495626/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145225083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility of vinegar processing of toxic herbs in Shi-Zao-Tang: toxicity reduction, efficacy preservation in malignant ascites rats and underlying pharmacodynamic mechanisms.","authors":"Jin-Di Xu, Xiao-Qin Gao, Rong-Ling Zhong, Jing Zhou, Ting Wang, Can Chen, Wei-Feng Yao, Ting Geng, Yi Zhang, Song-Lin Li, Li Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01224-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01224-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Shi-Zao-Tang (SZT), a classical formula of Traditional Chinese Medicine orally used for treating malignant ascites effusion (MAE), is made by mixing the powder of Kansui Radix (KR), Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix (EPR) and fried Genkwa Flos with the decoction of Jujubae Fructus. According to Chinese Pharmacopoeia, vinegar-processed KR and EPR should be used in oral administration. However, toxicity and efficacy of SZT containing vinegar-processed KR and EPR (VSZT) versus SZT in MAE rats, and the potential mechanisms of VSZT against MAE, remain unknown. Here, we comparatively studied the quality, toxicity and efficacy of SZT and VSZT, and explored the potential mechanisms of VSZT against MAE.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Main components in SZT and VSZT were quantified by liquid chromatographic coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. The intestinal toxicity and efficacy of SZT and VSZT were comparatively investigated in MAE rats. Specially, intestinal toxicity was evaluated by intestinal barrier function, histopathology and oxidative damage. The efficacy was investigated by amount of ascites, indices in excretion, intestinal motility and inflammation. The potential mechanisms of VSZT treats MAE were explored through integration of metabolomics, 16S rRNA and Western blotting analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>VSZT contains less 3-O-EZ and more ingenol than SZT. VSZT showed reduced intestinal toxicity than SZT in MAE rats. Both SZT and VSZT indiscriminately decreased the amount of ascites and ascitic inflammatory cytokines, promoted urination and defecation, increased fecal water content and intestinal motility. VSZT reversed endogenous metabolism and gut microbiota disorders, down-regulated colonic cAMP, PKA, p-CREB/CREB and AQP3, as well as mesenteric p-VEGFR2/VEGFR2, p-SRC/SRC, and p-VE-cadherin/ VE-cadherin in MAE rats.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>VSZT preserved the efficacy of SZT on MAE with lower intestinal toxicity. VSZT increased water excretion and decreased MAE formation to alleviate MAE through regulating gut microbiota, restoring tryptophan and tyrosine metabolism disorders, and affecting cAMP-PKA-CREB-AQP3 and VEGFA-VEGFR2-SRC-VE-cadherine pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"156"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12495871/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145225112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic potential of Berberine and Wogonin improved adipose inflammation and insulin resistance associated with obesity through HIF-α axis.","authors":"Zihan Zhou, Mingsu Wang, Xiaoyu Zhang, Yinyue Xu, Ping Li, Zuguo Zheng, Hua Yang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01223-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01223-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Obesity-induced adipose hypoxia activates the hypoxia-inducible factor alpha (HIF-α) axis, where HIF-1α and HIF-2α exhibit functional antagonism: HIF-1α exacerbates insulin resistance (IR) and inflammation, whereas HIF-2α counteracts these effects. This dichotomy suggests dual targeting (inhibiting HIF-1α/activating HIF-2α) could synergistically ameliorate obesity-associated IR. Coptidis Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix, a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pair for damp-heat obesity-demonstrate efficacy, but their synergistic components and mechanistic basis remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to identify active ingredients through the dual targeting strategy and subsequently validate their therapeutic efficacy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Based on the dual-targeting strategy, potential active ingredients were identified using a specifically designed dual-luciferase reporter system that simultaneously inhibits HIF-1α and activates HIF-2α. The optimal synergistic ratio was determined by applying the Loewe model. In vitro anti-inflammatory efficacy was evaluated in macrophages stimulated with palmitic acid or lipopolysaccharide. In vivo effects were assessed in a high-fat diet-induced obese mouse. Insulin sensitivity was determined by measuring fasting blood glucose levels and performing oral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance tests. Tissues were analysed for lipid metabolism and inflammatory markers via immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Berberine (BBR) and wogonin (WOG) were identified from herb pair to inhibit HIF-1α and activate HIF-2α in an optimal synergistic ratio of 3:1. At this ratio, the combination significantly ameliorated the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro. Consistent with the in vitro findings, co-administration of BBR and WOG (3:1) showed lipid-lowering effects comparable to metformin and effectively improved insulin sensitivity in obese mice. Additionally, improved lipid metabolism-related parameters including plasma total cholesterol and free fatty acids, thereby mitigating hepatic lipid accumulation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The synergistic constituents of Coptidis Rhizoma-Scutellariae Radix, namely BBR and WOG, synergistically alleviate IR associated with obesity by inhibiting HIF-1α and activating HIF-2α, respectively. This study elucidates the mechanistic basis of herbal combination therapy for metabolic disorders and provides a foundation for developing novel synergistic therapeutics against obesity-related IR.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"155"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12492755/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integration of network pharmacology, transcriptomics and single-cell sequencing to explore the effect of Rougan Keli in alleviating liver cirrhosis.","authors":"Chengbo Jin, Tianle Ma, Yiheng Zhang, Xujing Gu, Tong Zhu, Xinyu Wu, Xin Ding, Suzhou Huang, Yulan Wang, Zhipeng Chen, Huihua Fang, Li Wu","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01220-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01220-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The progression of liver cirrhosis leads to severe complications, significantly threatening the survival and prognosis of patients. Rou gan keli (Rgkl), a herbal formula derived from classical prescriptions, has used clinically over two decades and has good efficacy. However, its molecular mechanisms and active components remain undefined.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Exploring the molecular mechanisms of Rgkl in alleviating liver cirrhosis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>CCl₄-induced liver cirrhosis mice models were established. Liver stiffness and intrahepatic blood flow velocity were assessed using imaging. Serum ALT, AST, HA, and histopathology were analyzed. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) fenestration, and angiogenesis were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and network pharmacology identified active components. Transcriptomics and single-cell sequencing identified key targets and pathways, validated via WB, immunofluorescence, and molecular docking.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Rgkl significantly reduced Liver stiffness and collagen deposition while increasing intrahepatic blood flow velocity in cirrhotic mice. Serum ALT, AST, and HA were markedly decreased. Rgkl inhibited α-SMA expression in HSC and downregulated pathological angiogenesis by reducing VEGF and CD34 expression. Additionally, Rgkl enhanced eNOS expression and preserved sinusoidal fenestration in LSEC. Furthermore, Rgkl ameliorated liver cirrhosis by modulating LSEC metabolic functions via the CD36/PPAR/CPT-1 pathway and suppressing HSC activation through the RhoA/ROCK/YAP and PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathways. Eighteen active components, such as Levistilide A and Quercetin, were strongly correlated with the amelioration of liver cirrhosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Rgkl significantly attenuated hepatic injury and fibrosis. Mechanistically, Rgkl modulated LSEC lipid metabolism and phenotypic regulation, and suppressed HSC contraction and activation. Key active components contributing to these effects included Paeonilactone C, Levistilide A, and Quercetin.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"153"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12490168/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Amygdalin regulated vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor to protect alveolar epithelial barrier against lung injury induced by influenza a virus.","authors":"Xueyue Song, Ting Wang, Miao Ye, Xunlong Shi, Daofeng Chen, Yan Lu, Haiyan Zhu","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01221-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01221-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Bitter apricot kernel is a common traditional Chinese medicine used for lung diseases. Previous studies showed that Xuanbai-Chengqi decoction (XCD) containing bitter apricot kernel protected the alveolar and intestinal barriers in influenza-infected mice. However, the specific contribution of bitter apricot kernel and its active substances in viral pneumonia remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to identify the main active ingredient in bitter apricot kernel and investigate its mechanism in protecting the alveolar epithelial barrier in viral pneumonia.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Bitter apricot kernel was evaluated based on the efficacy differences between XCD and XCD without bitter apricot kernel. Amygdalin was identified through in vitro activity tests and verified in vivo. Immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, and WB were used to assess barrier protection and anti-inflammatory effects. The molecular mechanisms were explored using SPR/LC/MS and validated experimentally.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Removing bitter apricot kernel significantly weakened XCD's protective effect in influenza A virus-infected mice. Amygdalin showed anti-inflammatory, anti-hypoxia anti-influenza virus activities, and promoted endothelial cell migration in vitro. Amygdalin at 100 mg/kg effectively mitigated pulmonary injury and attenuated excessive inflammatory responses by regulating IL-6 and IL-10 in IAV-infected murine models. Oseltamivir is more effective than amygdalin in inhibiting the replication of influenza viruses and upregulating the expression level of IL-10. Amygdalin protected the alveolar barrier by restoring alveolar type II cells (AT2) and promoting alveolar regeneration, while upregulating surfactant protein A (SP-A) and aquaporin protein-5 (AQP5). Amygdalin bound selectively to vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1 (VIPR1) thereby upregulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and the protein expression levels of Protein kinase A (PKA) and Phosphor-protein kinase A (p-PKA).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Amygdalin is the key bioactive component of bitter apricot kernel, which exhibits protective effects in an IAV-induced pneumonia mouse model by activating the cAMP/PKA/p-PKA signaling cascade and recapitulating the biological effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP).</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"154"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12490164/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145205914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Berberine-based strategies: novel delivery systems bring out new potential for wound healing.","authors":"Jie Yin, Siqi Qin, Junren Chen, Napsan Wong, Cheng Peng, Dan Li","doi":"10.1186/s13020-025-01192-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-025-01192-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Wound healing is a highly regulated biological process that restores tissue integrity following injury, while it could be disrupted in specific conditions such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and bacterial infection, leading to delayed healing and serious complications. Berberine (BBR) is a pivotal naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloid with multiple pharmacological activities, especially anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, anti-oxidative stress, which are beneficial for wound healing. Recently, various novel carrier materials such as hydrogel scaffold, nanofiber membrane, and nanoparticles with specific pH, temperature, glucose, ROS, near infrared light responsive and controlled release properties have been utilized as carries to improve the bioactive and bioavailability of BBR that bring out promising therapeutic effect on acute wound, diabetic wound, infected wound, and burned wound. In this review, the design, synthesis, and application of novel delivery systems loaded/based with BBR were summarized based on the characteristics of these smart materials. Remarkably, the action of BBR delivery systems on wound healing are highlighted, with the aim of promoting the development of innovative materials for drug delivery in wound healing, particularly under chronic conditions in clinic.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"20 1","pages":"150"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487449/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}