Chinese Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Critical role of high-dose Astragalus in Buyang Huanwu Decoction for enhancing neurovascular coupling in a Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis animal model.","authors":"Kaichao Hu, Juxiang Yang, Guining Wei, Yaxian Zhao, Shifeng Chu, Liqing Li, Shasha Wang, Shanhe Qu, Lixiang Chen, Yuxin Zhang, Xu Yan, Zhao Zhang, Naihong Chen, Wenbin He","doi":"10.1186/s13020-026-01443-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-026-01443-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) is a classical Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula effective for treating Chronic Cerebral Ischemia with Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome (CCI_QDBS), which is known to alleviate neuronal damage and improve cerebral blood flow. The use of a high dose of Astragalus (Huangqi) has been clinically emphasized as crucial to BHD's efficacy, yet the pharmacological basis for this requirement remains unelucidated.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of BHD with a high dose of Astragalus (120 g, BHD_HA) versus a low dose (30 g, BHD_LA) in treating CCI_QDBS and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mouse model of CCI_QDBS was established by combining systemic hypotension with bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and sleep deprivation. The necessity of high-dose Astragalus in BHD was evaluated by assessing syndrome-specific symptoms, cognitive performance, and brain functional connectivity via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Neurovascular coupling (NVC) function was visualized in real-time using two-photon in vivo microscopy. RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence were employed to explore the molecular mechanisms by which BHD_HA improves NVC and mitigates brain injury. Finally, the role of nuclear Factor IA (NFIA) was validated through targeted gene silencing using an AAV-shRNA vector (pAVV-U6-shNfia).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>BHD_HA demonstrated significantly superior therapeutic effects compared to BHD_LA. It more effectively ameliorated CCI_QDBS-induced deficits, including memory impairment and fatigue-like behaviors, and significantly enhanced brain functional connectivity. Mechanistically, BHD_HA induced the morphological recovery of astrocytes, increased their perivascular coverage, and restored impaired NVC function. These beneficial effects were found to be dependent on the upregulation of NFIA. Silencing Nfia abolished the therapeutic advantages of BHD_HA in improving NVC and cognitive function.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings demonstrate that the high dose of Astragalus is essential for the therapeutic efficacy of BHD under the conditions of the present experimental model. BHD_HA alleviates CCI_QDBS by modulating NFIA to maintain the stability of the neurovascular unit (NUV), thereby improving neurovascular coupling, remodeling brain functional connectivity, and restoring cognitive function. This study provides a scientific basis for the high-dose application of Astragalus in this classical formula. This study provides a scientific basis for the high-dose application of Astragalus in the treatment of CCI_QDBS using BHD.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13277118/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148276414","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":"Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in medical research: applications, opportunities, and challenges.","authors":"Qingya Yu, Qiuxu Yuan, Yuying Song, Nana Feng, Yuanyuan Li, Wenbin Liu, Huanang Chen, Zhimin Zhou, Shaofeng Shuai, Ce Tang, Dingkun Zhang, Yi Zhang, Caiyun Zhao","doi":"10.1186/s13020-026-01409-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-026-01409-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>fNIRS is an innovative and non-invasive tool for monitoring hemodynamic changes in the cerebral cortex. In recent years, it has become a widely used intervention method in the medical field for treating various diseases due to its portability and potential for long-term monitoring. This article systematically reviews the development history and technical principles of fNIRS, compares fNIRS with other imaging techniques, summarizes the application and research progress of fNIRS in the fields of neurofunction and brain function, clinical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and rehabilitation medicine, especially in exploring the neurobiological mechanisms of TCM syndromes, monitoring the central effects of acupuncture therapy, and evaluating the brain's response to TCM components. At the same time, it clarifies the shortcomings and deficiencies of fNIRS and discusses its future development, aiming to provide valuable insights and reference points for the future development of fNIRS.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13277046/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148276393","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":"Dachaihu decoction alleviates septic liver injury by modulating the intestinal barrier dysfunction and suppressing the NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway.","authors":"Zhen Yang, Xingyu Kao, Lin Zhang, Na Huang, Yi Wang, Jingli Chen, Mingfeng He, Qi Tang, Zhangrong Liang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-026-01420-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-026-01420-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Intestinal barrier dysfunction is a key driver of septic liver injury (SLI). Dachaihu decoction (DCHD), a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula recorded in the Treatise on Cold Damage, is widely used to treat gastrointestinal and hepatic inflammatory conditions. The primary objective of our research was to elucidate the protective effects of DCHD against SLI and the underlying molecular mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In a murine model of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), we evaluated the therapeutic effects of DCHD on SLI by assessing serum liver enzymes, histopathology, oxidative stress, hepatocyte apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokines. Intestinal barrier integrity was examined via transmission electron microscopy, serum biomarkers (D-lactate, DAO, LPS), and tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin, E-cadherin). Gut microbiota composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Chemical profiling of DCHD was performed via UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Integrated network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and transcriptomic analyses identified the NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis as a potential mechanism, which was validated in vivo and in LPS-stimulated immortalized mouse Kupffer cells (ImKCs). Functional involvement of TLR4 and NLRP3 was further confirmed by genetic silencing of TLR4 with siRNA and pharmacological inhibition using TAK-242 (TLR4 inhibitor) and MCC950 (NLRP3 inhibitor).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>DCHD treatment attenuated liver injury in CLP-induced septic mice, as evidenced by improved liver function, attenuated histopathology, reduced oxidative stress, suppressed inflammation, and decreased hepatocyte apoptosis. These hepatoprotective effects were associated with reduced intestinal permeability and enhanced barrier integrity, alongside gut microbiota remodeling characterized by enrichment of beneficial bacteria and reduced abundance of gram-negative genera (e.g., Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus), leading to decreased LPS production and translocation to the liver. Integrated network pharmacology and transcriptomics revealed the NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis as a central mechanism, with DCHD downregulating p-p65, p-IκBα, NLRP3, ASC, and Cleaved Caspase-1 in vivo and in LPS-stimulated ImKCs. Functional validation using TLR4 siRNA and the inhibitors TAK-242 and MCC950 confirmed that DCHD might attenuate liver inflammatory injury primarily through the NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>DCHD may alleviate SLI by enhancing the intestinal barrier, potentially reducing the translocation of gut-derived LPS to the liver, and subsequently inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis, highlighting its considerable translational potential for SLI therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13270745/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148257503","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":"Processing-induced detoxification of toxic Traditional Chinese Medicines: a systematic review of attenuation mechanisms at physical, chemical, and in vivo levels.","authors":"Weiye Zhang, Zhubin Zhang, Ziwen Bian, Qi Zuo, Xue Quan, Jiahao Gong, Bingling Ju, Liang Feng, Xiaobin Jia, Bing Yang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-026-01437-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-026-01437-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The \"toxicity\" of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) carries a dual connotation, referring both to the potent nature of certain medicinal substances and a critical constraint on their safe clinical application. Processing is the core approach to achieving the goal of \"attenuating toxicity while preserving efficacy\" for toxic TCMs. A systematic elucidation of the detoxification mechanisms of processing is essential for inheriting traditional processing theories and ensuring clinical medication safety. Current research predominantly focuses on individual toxic TCMs, specific toxic constituents, or single processing methods, a fragmented paradigm that hinders a comprehensive understanding of the complex detoxification mechanisms and the extraction of universal principles. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews the toxic TCMs listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2025 Edition), summarizing their natural sources, types of toxic constituents, and traditional processing methods for toxicity reduction. Furthermore, by integrating existing research evidence, the detoxification mechanisms of processing are categorized into three interrelated yet distinct levels: physical detoxification (including the physical removal of toxic constituents and changes in the physical properties of decoction pieces), chemical transformation of toxic constituents, and modulation of in vivo processes. At the chemical transformation level, common patterns within the same family or genus are explored based on natural sources. At the physical level, the focus is on universal processing methods across different families and genera; at the in vivo level, the focus is on common regulatory pathways across families and genera. This review aims to integrate fragmented research findings, reveal potential common patterns underlying processing‑induced detoxification, and propose an integrated research strategy combining \"physical detoxification - chemical transformation of toxic constituents - modulation of in vivo processes.\" It thereby provides a theoretical basis for a deeper understanding of the scientific principles of processing‑induced detoxification and for guiding the optimization and innovation of processing technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13255445/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148216292","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":"Heterophyllin B ameliorates diabetic lower limb ischemia by inhibiting SMOX to activate the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway.","authors":"Shudong Lin, Yunchao Huang, Yiqiong Wang, Yuhui Xue, Shuyuan Lou, Qiuru Wang, Yaoting Wang, Yunyun Lu, Jiangyue Wu, Shujing Zhang, Houfa Yin, Ting Zhang, Lan Li, Ling Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-026-01440-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-026-01440-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diabetic lower limb ischemia (DLLI) is a serious complication of diabetes with limited therapeutic options. Heterophyllin B (HET-B), a bioactive cyclopeptide from Pseudostellaria heterophylla, possesses antioxidant properties. However, its therapeutic mechanism in DLLI remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aims to investigate the protective effects of HET-B against DLLI and elucidate the underlying metabolic and molecular mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A murine DLLI model was established in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice via femoral artery ligation. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by laser Doppler imaging, histopathology, and immunofluorescence. A high glucose-induced endothelial injury model was established using HUVECs. Endothelial function was evaluated by tube formation, migration, and wound healing assays. Single-cell RNA sequencing data (GSE165816) were analyzed to identify key metabolic targets. Mechanistic validation was performed using Spermine oxidase (SMOX) gene silencing and pharmacological activation with spermine.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>HET-B significantly improved hindlimb blood flow recovery, promoted angiogenesis with increased CD31, α-SMA, VEGF, and eNOS, and attenuated inflammation with reduced TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and TGF-β in ischemic muscles. In HUVECs, HET-B restored high glucose-impaired endothelial function, promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation with NQO1 upregulation, suppressed TNF-α expression, and subsequently reduced Caspase-1/3 activation. Bioinformatic analysis identified SMOX as a key dysregulated gene in diabetic endothelium, and HET-B reversed its overexpression both in vitro and in vivo. Immunofluorescence co-staining confirmed SMOX and Nrf2 localization in CD31-positive endothelial cells, with HET-B reversing SMOX upregulation while restoring Nrf2 activation. SMOX knockdown mimicked HET-B effects, whereas SMOX activation with spermine abrogated HET-B-mediated protection, Nrf2 activation, and NF-κB suppression, confirming that HET-B acts through functional inhibition of SMOX.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HET-B alleviates DLLI by inhibiting SMOX to activate Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense and suppress inflammatory signaling, suggesting that the SMOX-Nrf2 axis may represent a potential therapeutic target for DLLI.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13255290/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148216224","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":"Calculus Bovis ameliorates primary sclerosing cholangitis via a dual-pronged mechanism restoring bile acid and lipid homeostasis in the gut-liver axis.","authors":"Xuepeng Gong, Yufei Chen, Tinghui Zhao, Ninghong Li, Guangjie Yang, Lihui Qiu, Zaoqin Yu, Dong Liu, Dong Xiang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-026-01441-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-026-01441-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive cholestatic liver disease lacking FDA-approved therapy. Calculus Bovis (CB), a traditional medicine derived from animal gallstones, has been historically used for treating hepatobiliary diseases, but its therapeutic potential and mechanisms in PSC remain unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of CB in an experimental PSC model and elucidate its underlying mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A PSC mouse model was induced by a 0.1% 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet for 4 weeks. Mice were treated with CB (50,100, 150 mg/kg/day) or ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, 100 mg/kg/day). Liver injury, fibrosis, intestinal barrier integrity, bile acid (BA) profiles, and lipid levels were assessed. Hepatic and intestinal gene/protein expression related to BA and lipid metabolism was analyzed. Integrated transcriptomics, network pharmacology, and in vitro serum pharmacology were employed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CB administration significantly alleviated liver injury, fibrosis, and intestinal barrier damage in DDC-induced mice. It restored BA homeostasis across the gut-liver axis, normalizing aberrant BA profiles in serum and liver while increasing BA excretion in feces. CB also ameliorated dyslipidemia, reducing hepatic and serum lipid levels. Mechanistically, CB and its bioactive BA components exerted their effects through a dual-pronged mechanism: (1) activation of the SIRT1-PGC-1α axis to transcriptionally upregulate the expression of nuclear receptors FXR and PPARα in the liver and intestine, and (2) direct ligand-dependent activation of FXR and PPARα protein functions. This concerted activation enhanced the transcription of genes involved in BA detoxification, transport, and fatty acid β-oxidation. Inhibition of SIRT1 or antagonism of FXR/PPARα attenuated these protective effects in vitro.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CB attenuates experimental PSC by modulating BA and lipid homeostasis via the gut-liver axis, mediated through a novel dual mechanism involving SIRT1-PGC-1α pathway activation and direct receptor agonism. These findings not only highlight CB as a promising multi-target agent for PSC treatment, but also provide novel insights into the therapeutic modulation of metabolism in the gut-liver axis.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13244648/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148203692","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":"Application of biosensors in research of traditional Chinese medicine: a systematic review.","authors":"Shengnan Du, Fan Zhang, Xing Yan, Liping Huang, Zhixin Wang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-026-01417-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-026-01417-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As advanced analytical tools, biosensors combine biological recognition elements with physicochemical transducers, enabling the sensitive and selective detection of target analytes. As research in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) continues to deepen and shift toward holistic and functional evaluation, biosensors offer significant promise due to their high sensitivity, strong specificity, high throughput, and rapid response. They are expected to serve as an effective bridge linking the chemical constituents of TCM with their pharmacological activities. This review systematically searched the databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for literature published from 2001 to 2025. The principles, classifications, advantages, and diverse applications of biosensors in TCM research are summarized, encompassing areas such as herb variety identification, active component analysis and screening, target exploration, drug-target affinity determination, quality control, and safety evaluation. Recent technological advances are highlighted, including innovations in development of novel biosensors, microtechnology and integration, and intelligent data processing. Current limitations and potential countermeasures for overcoming them are also discussed. Finally, the prospects and future research directions of biosensors in TCM research are proposed, emphasizing its potential to drive innovation and accelerate the modernization of TCM industry.Affiliations: Journal instruction requires a city and country for affiliations; however, these are missing in affiliation 3. Please verify if the provided city and country are correct and amend if necessary. The manuscript has been revised. Thank you for the reminder.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13245035/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148203745","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":"Polygala oligosaccharide esters improve memory disorder by restoring gut microbiota homeostasis through the regulation of the \"gut-brain\" axis.","authors":"Yan Wang, Chaoyun Ren, Wenkai Dong, Qiule Li, Fanying Deng, Fuxia Zhao, Yangang Cheng, Peng Sun, Huifang Li, Yingli Wang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-026-01436-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-026-01436-7","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Yuanzhi (Polygala tenuifolia Willd.) possesses the effects of calming the spirit, enhancing intelligence, regulating the heart-kidney connection, eliminating phlegm, and reducing swelling. It is commonly used in the treatment of insomnia and forgetfulness. Previous studies have indicated that the oligosaccharide esters (OE) derived from Yuanzhi exhibit neuroprotective and memory-enhancing activities. However, its underlying mechanisms, particularly those involving the gut-brain axis, remain unclear.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Purpose of the research: &lt;/strong&gt;This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of Oligosaccharide Esters (OE) from Polygala tenuifolia Willd. against memory dysfunction in mice, with a specific focus on the gut-brain axis.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;A mouse model of memory dysfunction was induced using D-galactose combined with AlCl₃. Behavioral tests, molecular biology techniques (histopathology, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry, and Western blot), and multi-omics approaches (16S rRNA sequencing and lipidomic analysis) were employed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of OE against memory dysfunction. Meanwhile, with the aid of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) assay, we observed the repair of brain and colonic tissues, inflammatory responses and intestinal permeability, further clarified the regulatory effect of OE on gut microbiota, and ultimately revealed the underlying mechanisms of OE mediated by the gut-brain axis.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;OE administration significantly enhanced learning and memory in MD mice, repaired neuronal damage in the hippocampal regions (CA1, CA3, DG) of the MD mouse brain, and increased the number of Nissl bodies. OE elevated the serum levels of BDNF and CREB and reduced the TMAO level; simultaneously, it enhanced the activities of SOD and GSH-Px and decreased the MDA content in the brain tissue. OE treatment modulated the relative abundance of the gut microbiota in MD mice, restored the microbial imbalance induced by memory deficits, and particularly affected the abundances of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, their ratio (F/B), and genera such as Ligilactobacillus. Lipidomics analysis indicated that OE exerts its therapeutic effects primarily by regulating the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway, and a total of 17 key differential lipid metabolites were identified. Correlation analysis further revealed that the levels of key differential lipid metabolites, LysoPC(22:2) and PC(38:4), were significantly positively correlated with the levels of neuroprotective factors (CREB, BDNF) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px), but were significantly negatively correlated with the harmful metabolite TMAO and the oxidative damage product MDA. In contrast, the lipid metabolite GPEA exhibited a trend opposite to that of LysoPC(22:2) and PC(38:4). Further investigation results demonst","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13244862/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148204237","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":"Chuangling Ye mitigates diabetic foot ulcer through suppressing keratinocyte ferroptosis via inhibiting ACSS2/ACSL4 axis.","authors":"Xiao Feng, Nan Yi, Cunyu Zhang, Liang Tang, Xindong Yin, Ya Zhao, Taiyang Zhu, Jianhua Zhu, Qian Feng, Weiwei Chen, Yawen Xia, Chaoqun Ma","doi":"10.1186/s13020-026-01435-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-026-01435-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) is a serious complication of diabetes, and keratinocyte ferroptosis has been shown to accelerate its pathological progression. Chuanglin Ye (CLY), widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of DFU, has been reported to exert anti-inflammation effects and promote skin regeneration. However, its pharmacological mechanisms on DFU remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The DFU rats were treated with CLY (0.225 and 0.45 g/mL) for 21 days to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy. The chemical composition of CLY was analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS. Network pharmacology, western blot, and immunohistochemical staining were performed to assess the anti-ferroptosis effects of CLY. To validate the protective role of CLY against ferroptosis, RSL3, a ferroptosis inducer, was applied in this study. Subsequently, HaCaT cells were exposed to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) to establish an in vitro model of keratinocyte ferroptosis, further confirming the inhibitory effects of CLY on ferroptosis. RNA sequencing was conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying CLY-mediated protection against keratinocyte ferroptosis. The functional involvement of the ACSS2/ACSL4 axis was verified through plasmid-mediated gene overexpression in vitro. Molecular docking analysis was employed to identify potential bioactive compounds in CLY that target ACSS2.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CLY administration significantly accelerated wound healing in DFU rats. Network pharmacology analysis indicated the regulation of ferroptosis underlies the therapeutic effect of CLY against DFU, which was further supported by its ability to ameliorate lipid peroxidation and iron overload. In contrast, the ferroptosis inducer RSL3 attenuated the protective effects of CLY in DFU rats. In vitro, CLY markedly suppressed AGEs-induced lipid peroxidation and excessive ROS level. Mechanistically, RNA-seq analysis and subsequent validation experiments revealed the anti-ferroptosis effect of CLY depends on the inhibition of ACSL4 acetylation in keratinocytes. Furthermore, ACSS2 was identified as a key protein promoting ACSL4 acetylation, which was inhibiting by CLY. Finally, six major compounds in CLY were identified as active constituents targeting ACSS2.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings demonstrate CLY promotes DFU wound healing by inhibiting keratinocyte ferroptosis through suppressing ACSS2-mediated ACSL4 acetylation, highlighting its potential as a rational therapeutic approach for the management of DFU.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13244978/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148204171","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":"An integrated machine learning framework for TCM five-flavor classification based on E-tongue profiling and SHAP analysis.","authors":"Ziang Li, Xianglong Meng, Lin Yang, Xiaoning Yan, Liangting Li, Yiwei Fu, Jingjing Tang, Shuosheng Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s13020-026-01399-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13020-026-01399-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The \"five-flavor\" (wu wei) classification is a core organizing principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pharmacology and quality control, yet its assessment still relies on subjective organoleptic evaluation, limiting standardization and reproducibility.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eighty-four processed herbal slices were analyzed using an electronic tongue to obtain multichannel sensor response profiles. Based on these data, we developed a dual-strategy ensemble learning framework in which a heterogeneous stacking model was trained for five-flavor identification while a voting ensemble was established in parallel for intensity grading. Model interpretability was evaluated using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to quantify feature contributions and to relate prediction outcomes to specific electrochemical response patterns.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>On the independent test set, the stacking ensemble showed moderate and flavor-dependent classification performance, with a macro-AUC of 0.876 and a balanced accuracy of 0.629. Discriminative performance was higher for Bitter and Sweet than for Sour, Salty, and Pungent. Full-stack SHAP analysis further identified P_13 and P_8 as the most influential features overall, with P_13 contributing mainly to the discrimination of bitter and pungent attributes, whereas P_8 was more strongly associated with sour, salty, and sweet characterization.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study demonstrates a data-driven workflow for digitizing TCM five-flavor assessment. Further validation with expanded sample sizes and chemical corroboration of sensor attributions is needed before operational deployment.</p>","PeriodicalId":10266,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Medicine","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13235049/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148161992","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}