Journal of ethnopharmacology最新文献

{"title":"Crotalaria assamica Benth alleviated acetaminophen-induced liver injury through the upregulation of Nrf2 pathway.","authors":"Yan-Ling Qian, Bang-Yin Tan, Shi-Shi Qin, Xian-Run Wu, Zhuo-Qi Shi, Yun-Li Zhao, Xiao-Dong Luo","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120664","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2025.120664","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Crotalaria assamica Benth, one of the folk medicinal plants in the \"Dai\" of China, is commonly used to treat liver and bile related diseases. However, its bioactive compounds and the mechanism related to traditional use remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>To investigate the protective compounds and mechanism of C. assamica on drug-induced liver injury.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The acetaminophen (APAP)-induced mice and cell model were carried out to reveal the liver protection of the extract of C. assamica (ECA) and bioactive compounds in vitro and in vivo. The protective pathway was explored using transcriptome analysis, and binding targets were predicted by structure-based binding prediction and dynamic simulation, which were further supported by qPCR and Western Blot experiments on the livers of treated mice.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ECA reduced the contents of serum lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase significantly, adjusted the oxidative indices of serum and liver tissues, and ameliorated inflammation and necrosis of liver tissues, as well as up-regulated expressions of NQO1, HO-1, Nrf2, p-AKT, BCL-2, AKT, and IL-6 in vivo. Moreover, its bioactive compound sarosiensin V increased the viability of APAP-induced HepG2 cells, and restored liver function activity, accompanied by enhanced antioxidation and mitochondrial membrane potential significantly.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>C. assamica and its bioactive compound sarosiensin V inhibited oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and necrosis of liver tissues, which was associated with the upregulation of the Nrf2 pathway, and then supporting its traditional use for liver protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120664"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antiplasmodial metabolites from Baccharoides anthelmintica seeds: In vitro and in silico profiling.","authors":"Vivek Singh Rajpoot, Chandrabose Karthikeyan, Paranthaman Subash, Kareti Srinivasa Rao","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120661","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120661","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ethnopharmacological relevance: &lt;/strong&gt;Baccharoides anthelmintica (L.) Moench has traditionally been used in ethnomedicine as a general body tonic and for the treatment of malaria and other parasitic infections. Ethnobotanical evidence supporting its antimalarial use has motivated further scientific investigations into its phytochemical composition. However, the specific bioactive constituents responsible for these effects remain poorly characterized. Metabolomic profiling, combined with in vitro and in silico approaches, offers a comprehensive strategy for exploring phytochemical diversity, identifying active compounds, and validating their antimalarial potential. This integrative approach bridges the gap between traditional knowledge and modern drug discovery.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aim of the study: &lt;/strong&gt;The purposes of this study were i) to identify the phytochemical composition via metabolomic analysis, ii) to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of seed extracts and iii) to perform in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to identify and validate potential antimalarial compounds that target key Plasmodium falciparum enzymes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;The seeds of B. anthelmintica were subjected to Soxhlet extraction using n-hexane, chloroform, and methanol. The antiplasmodial activity of the extracts was evaluated in vitro against P. falciparum strains Pf-K1 (chloroquine-resistant) and Pf-3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive), and cytotoxicity was assessed using VERO cells. Metabolomic profiling was performed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) to identify phytochemical constituents. The identified compounds were further screened by molecular docking against key P. falciparum targets. The top hits were assessed for pharmacokinetics and TargetNet was employed to assess drug-likeness and AdmetSAR was utilized for ADMET predictions. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to validate the stability of the ligand-target complexes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;Among the extracts, the chloroform fraction exhibited the most potent antiplasmodial activity with IC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; values of 1.7 μg/mL (Pf-K1) and 6.2 μg/mL (Pf-3D7), along with low cytotoxicity (CC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt;: 17.0 μg/mL) against VERO cells. Metabolomic profiling identified a total of 159 unique phytoconstituents, comprising 131 volatile and thermally stable compounds from GC-MS and 28 non-volatile, polar, and thermally labile compounds from LC-MS analyses. In silico screening, identified compound 4,5-dihydro-4,4-undecamethylene-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazin-6-one as a promising lead, exhibiting a strong binding affinity for P. falciparum. G23 complied with Lipinski's rule of five, showed favorable ADMET characteristics, and maintained stable interactions throughout the MD simulation trajectory.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;The findings of this study suggest that B. anthelminti","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120661"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145191803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Traditional Japanese Herbal Ointments for Wound Healing: A Wide Diversity of Practices, Metabolites, and Effects.","authors":"Manon Paul-Traversaz, Kaoru Umehara, Kenji Watanabe, Walid Rachidi, Eric Sulpice, Emmanuelle Soleilhac, Cédric Delporte, Pierre Van Antwerpen, Axelle Bourez, Cécile Vanhaverbeke, Michel Sève, Florence Souard","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120651","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2025.120651","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ethnopharmacological relevance: &lt;/strong&gt;In Kampo Japanese traditional medicine, ointments are used to treat skin wounds and promote wound healing. These ointments are prepared by extracting herbal crude drugs in sesame oil, a technique that has been practised for centuries. Their preparation varies significantly in terms of ingredients, plant species, temperature, and extraction time, leading to a wide diversity of formulations. Unlike hydrophilic plant extracts, the phytochemical composition and wound-healing efficacy of sesame oil-based herbal extractions remain largely unexplored.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;The objective of this study is to address this gap by focusing on lipophilic plant metabolites present in these topical formulations and to explore their potential contribution to wound healing using a keratinocyte model in vitro.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Materials and methods: &lt;/strong&gt;A survey was conducted to document Kampo ointment-related practices, focusing on highlighting variations in extraction protocols, crude drug origins, and manufacturing practices. Sample preparation excluded solid compounds from the formulations and used different solvents for the metabolomic and biological aspects. Metabolomics profiling was performed using LC-HRMS and LC-HRMS/MS to analyse the impact of different preparation temperatures and botanical sources on extract composition. In vitro assays assessed keratinocyte migration and proliferation using scratch assays and EdU (5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine) incorporation and data were evaluated with appropriate statistical methods.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;A diversity of practices concerning the Kampo ointments Shiunkō, and Shinsen taitsukō was identified. This mainly concerned the extraction temperature with three protocols: maceration (M), Low Heating (LH) and High Heating (HH). Significant differences in metabolite profiles were observed, particularly with regard to the heating temperature of the sesame oil and the origin of the crude drugs. These parameters markedly influenced the chemical composition through both the formation of transformed lipids and the degradation of bioactive compounds such as tocopherols and sterols. While the variety of sesame oils and Angelica acutiloba extracts showed no distinct biological effects on keratinocyte migration, the complete formulas Shiunkō and Shinsen taitsukō unexpectedly delayed wound closure in the model. This result is possibly due to the degradation of wound-healing metabolites and the presence of cytotoxic ones, or the inadequacy of the cell model used to evaluate these complex lipophilic preparations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;This study highlights the diversity and complexity of traditional Kampo ointments in terms of chemical composition and, to a lesser extent, biological activity. Preparation temperature and ingredient origin markedly shaped the metabolite profiles, affecting both the formation of new lipophilic compounds and the d","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120651"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145191858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Salidroside improves hypoxia-induced milk synthesis disorder and endoplasmic reticulum stress via AKT/mTOR signaling in bovine mammary epithelial cells.","authors":"Yuan Liu, Huixia Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120659","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2025.120659","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Rhodiola crenulata, a distinctive medicinal herb in Tibetan medicine, has been utilized for thousands of years to treat physical weakness, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and discomfort caused by high-altitude environments. Salidroside is one of the most potent bioactive ingredients of the genus Rhodiola.</p><p><strong>Aim of study: </strong>This study investigated the protective effect of salidroside in hypoxia-induced milk biosynthesis impairment using bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T), elucidating its underlying molecular mechanism.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Cells with or without salidroside were exposed to hypoxia, with milk biosynthesis quantitatively assessed via using immunofluorescence, biochemical assays, Western blot, and Quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR), alongside parallel evaluation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial functions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results demonstrated that hypoxia inhibited cell proliferation, downregulated mRNA/protein expression of milk synthesis factors (α-casein, β-casein, SREBP1, and FASN), and concurrently triggered ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Conversely, salidroside alleviated hypoxia-induced milk biosynthesis disorder through inhibiting ER stress. Additionally, hypoxia treatment decreased the expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B (AKT) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) levels, whereas salidroside blocked the decrease in p-AKT and p-mTOR levels. Targeted activation of AKT/mTOR signaling using SC79 (an AKT activator) or L-leucine (a mTOR activator) mimicked salidroside's protective effects, rescuing ER homeostasis, and milk synthesis capacity in hypoxia-treated cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The AKT/mTOR signaling is involved in the protective effect of salidroside on hypoxia-induced milk biosynthesis disorder. These findings provide promising evidence for the therapeutic potential of salidroside against hypoxia-induced cellular damage and milk biosynthesis impairment in MAC-T cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120659"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dantao formula alleviates hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension via modulation of the cAMP/PKA/ROCK signaling pathway in hepatic stellate cells.","authors":"Rui Zeng, Yanan Guo, Jingshu Qi, Meng Li, Kai Huang, Yuan Peng, Zhengxin Li, Chenghai Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120650","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120650","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>The Dantao Formula (DTF) consists of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) and Prunus persica (L.) Batsch seeds (Taoren), which were the components of promoting circulation and removing stasis in the anti-fibrotic herbal--- Fuzheng Huayu Formula (FZHY). It has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension (PH); however, its pharmacological mechanisms remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>The aim is to investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of DTF on liver fibrosis and PH.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In vivo experiments were evaluated using a CCl₄-induced mouse model with rivaroxaban (RIVA) as a drug control. PH was assessed by direct puncture method. Fibrosis was assessed by Sirius red staining and hydroxyproline. Network pharmacology analysis predicted the potential molecules or signal mediators. In vitro, an LX-2 cells was activated with ET-1, and Y-33075 used as a drug control. ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were conducted to assess the target expression of ET-1, ENDRA, ROCK, cAMP, PKA, MLC and p-MLC.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>DTF or RIVA could alleviate liver fibrosis and PH compared to the model group. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that cAMP/PKA/ROCK signaling pathway acted as a key target in DTF. In vivo, DTF or RIVA suppressed ET-1, EDNRA and ROCK expression, enhanced cAMP and PKA expression. In vitro, DTF or Y-33075 attenuated the activation of LX-2 cells induced by ET-1, down-regulated ROCK and p-MLC expression, up-regulated cAMP and PKA expression.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>DTF alleviates liver fibrosis and PH by regulating the cAMP/PKA/ROCK signaling pathway in activated HSCs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120650"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145182137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrated activity-guided isolation and transcriptomic analysis reveal the therapeutic mechanism of Thonningianin A from Penthhorum chinense Pursh against colorectal cancer via p21 modulation.","authors":"Fanmuchen Zeng, Xuan Jiang, Fengmin Xiong, Siyu Yao, Wenying Lu, Yingli Chen, Huilin Yang, Xianlong Ye","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120655","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120655","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Pentrhothrum chinense Pursh (PCP) is a traditional Hmong dual-purpose medicinal plant that is known for its efficacy in activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis, protecting the liver, diuretic and anti-yellowing, and promoting digestion. It is commonly used for lowering blood glucose, protecting kidneys, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and has great potential in regulating the intestinal microenvironment and treating cancer. However, relatively few studies have been conducted on its material basis and mechanism of action in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>Identification of the key therapeutic active ingredients in PCP for CRC through in vitro and in vivo experiments, and unraveling and validating their main mechanisms of action in CRC therapy.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Initially, key active compounds were isolated and identified from PCP using SPE, HPLC, and UPLC-MS. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the compound inhibits proliferation, migration, and cell cycle progression in HCT116 and HT29 cells, and exhibited tumor-suppressive efficacy in an HT29 nude mouse xenograft model. Finally, the molecular mechanism of CRC treatment was elucidated by combining RNA-seq, TCGA database and siRNA knockdown assay.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The key active ingredient of CRC inhibition in PCP was identified as Thonningianin A (TA) by isolation and extraction techniques combined with cellular experiments, and then in vitro experiments showed that TA dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation, migration and clone formation of CRC cells and induced G1-phase blockage, and in vivo experiments showed that high doses of TA significantly inhibited the growth of tumors in nude mice, which further confirmed the therapeutic effect of TA in CRC treatment. Subsequently, in combination with RNA-seq and online pharmacology database, it was found that TA specifically activated oncogene p21/CDKN1A, and its knockdown reversed TA-induced cycle block and proliferation inhibition, and the low expression of p21 in CRC was further confirmed by TCGA data.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It is clear that TA is the key active ingredient of PCP against CRC, and its up-regulation of p21 expression induces G1-phase blockade and inhibits tumor progression.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120655"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Decoding Gujin Luyan Xuming decoction: How ancient wisdom meets modern science in promoting angiogenesis to ameliorate cerebral infarction.","authors":"Yuzhe Cai, Mengge Zhang, Qiuxing He, Huaguan Lu, Yulin Kuang, Yiheng Huang, Wenfei Liang, Jingling Zhu, Yihui Deng, Yuanqi Zhao, Weimin Ning","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120652","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120652","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Gujin Luyan Xuming decoction (XMD), a traditional chinese medicine formula documented in the \"Synopsis of the Golden Chamber\", is an effective prescription for treating cerebral infarction with notable clinical efficacy. However, its molecular mechanism remains to be fully elucidated.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>This research seeks to clarify the molecular mechanisms by which XMD facilitates angiogenesis following cerebral infarction.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The therapeutic levels of XMD on cerebral infarction were assessed in vivo, and the bioactive constituents of XMD were identified in systemic circulation. Afterward, the RNA-seq dataset GSE137482 and single-cell sequencing dataset GSE225948 were analyzed using R software, in conjunction with WGCNA, predicted drug targets derived from bioactive components, and angiogenesis-related gene sets, to identify key drug targets. We also performed molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Finally, both in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted for validation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our research showed that XMD-H yielded the most significant effect on improving ischemic brain injury. A total of 33 blood-entering components of XMD were identified using HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Network pharmacology, RNA sequencing, single-cell sequencing, and further investigations identified RAB11A as the primary target of XMD's effect in cerebral infarction. According to molecular docking and dynamics simulation, the bioactive components of XMD could partially bind with the RAB11A protein. Animal experiments demonstrated that XMD could enhance the expression of RAB11A, Wnt5a, β-catenin, VEGFA, VEGFR2, and other proteins. The outcomes of in vitro experiments indicated that XMD could further augment cell migration, lumen formation, and the expression of the aforementioned proteins. The silencing of RAB11A led to a partial reduction in XMD's efficacy in promoting cell migration, lumen formation, and the expression of proteins such as RAB11A, Wnt5a, and VEGFR2.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>XMD could affect the Wnt5a/β-catenin signaling pathway through RAB11A, thereby enhancing angiogenesis in cerebral infarction and mitigating cerebral ischemia injury.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120652"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anti-colitic effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. juice via ERK/p38 and NF-κB signaling modulation and the characterization of a key marker compound.","authors":"Hyun Young Shin, Yun Young Jeong, Jong-Eun Kim, Kwang-Soon Shin, Kwang-Won Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120657","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2025.120657","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (CA), a member of the Apiaceae family encompassing around 50 species, has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and other folk medicine systems to manage inflammatory disorders.</p><p><strong>Aim of study: </strong>This study explored the protective role of CA-Juice in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) mouse model. In addition, a validated method for its quality evaluation was established.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>BALB/c mice were administered CA-Juice orally for two weeks prior to DSS induction of UC. An HPLC-UVD method was applied to quantify a marker compound for quality evaluation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CA-Juice was well tolerated and significantly improved clinical symptoms of UC. It modulated inflammatory mediators and enhanced intestinal immunoglobulin A levels, while improving epithelial integrity. Histological analysis confirmed that CA-Juice reduced colonic tissue damage and improved mucin production, as demonstrated through the modulation of ERK/p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. CA-Juice also elevated cecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, contributing to intestinal homeostasis. For standardization, an HPLC-UVD method was developed, showing high linearity, sensitivity, and specificity, and was applied to quantify miquelianin as a key marker compound in CA-Juice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings support the potential of CA-Juice as a functional dietary component for preventing intestinal inflammation and provide foundational data for its standardization and future applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120657"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145186034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chrysanthemum morifolium Extract Attenuates Pathological Angiogenesis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration via VEGF and Nrf2 Pathway Modulation.","authors":"Guan-Cheng Jiang, Hong-Ye Pan, Lei Gu, Tian-Tian Cheng, Bing-Xue Zhu, Xuan-Qi Wang, Jia-Yu Yu, Feng Zhu, Ming Lin, Jiang-Ning Hu, Xia-Wei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120660","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2025.120660","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Chrysanthemum morifolium has long been utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine to improve visual acuity and alleviate ocular damage. Although recent pharmacological studies highlight its antioxidant and vasoprotective effects, its efficacy against neovascular processes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has not been established.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of Chrysanthemum morifolium extract (CME) in managing neovascular AMD, emphasizing its effects on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis and oxidative stress regulation.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In vitro, ARPE-19 retinal pigment epithelial cells underwent hypoxic and oxidative stress assays to measure VEGF, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway activation. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with a conditioned medium (CM) from CME-exposed ARPE-19 cells to assess migration, invasion, and tube formation. In vivo therapeutic efficacy was validated in cobalt chloride (CoCl₂)-induced zebrafish and laser-induced rat choroidal neovascularization (CNV) models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CME significantly attenuated hypoxia- and CoCl₂-induced upregulation of VEGF and HIF-1α, enhanced Nrf2 signaling, and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ARPE-19 cells. CME-CM markedly suppressed HUVEC migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. In zebrafish and rat CNV models, CME treatment significantly reduced neovascular lesion area and preserved retinal architecture in a dose-dependent manner, without evident toxicity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CME exerts dual anti-angiogenic and antioxidant effects in AMD models by simultaneously targeting VEGF-driven angiogenesis and oxidative stress, supporting its therapeutic potential as a safe and effective herbal intervention for neovascular AMD.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120660"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145186109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toxicological evaluation of Shanzhu Tiqusan, a Garcinia mangostana pericarp-based preparation: Acute and chronic oral safety assessment in rats.","authors":"Shao-Feng Wu, Dan-Yang Ma, Si-Lu Hou, Qiao-Yue Hui, Ya-Rong Gong, Ji-Jun Kang, Chao Han, Zhi-Hui Hao","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120372","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120372","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Garcinia mangostana L. (Shanzhu), commonly known as mangosteen, is a tropical tree traditionally used in Southeast Asia and southern China to treat diarrhea, abdominal pain, skin infections, malaria, and septicemia. Its pericarp extract, Shanzhu Tiqusan (SZTQS), is prepared through reflux extraction, spray drying, and sucrose addition.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>This study aimed to systematically evaluate the acute and long-term oral toxicity of SZTQS to verify its safety for potential long-term use.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The α-mangostin content in SZTQS was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Acute oral toxicity was evaluated in rats using a limit dose of 15 g/kg body weight, with a 14-day observation period. For chronic toxicity assessment, SZTQS was incorporated into the feed at concentrations of 2.5, 5, and 15 g/kg feed and administered continuously for 180 days. Parameters monitored throughout the study included clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, hematological and biochemical profiles, and histopathological examination of major organs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>HPLC analysis revealed 34.3 mg/g α-mangostin in SZTQS. The acute study showed no mortality or toxicity at 15 g/kg BW, indicating a high safety margin. Chronic administration at 2.5 g/kg feed caused no adverse effects. At 5 g/kg feed, mild changes in blood parameters and occasional organ lesions were observed. At 15 g/kg feed, a significant reduction in body weight and feed/water intake was observed, particularly in male rats, indicating a dose-dependent toxicological effect.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>SZTQS is non-toxic at a single oral dose exceeding 15 g/kg BW in rats. Long-term intake at 2.5 g/kg feed for 180 days was well tolerated, with a calculated no-observed-effect level (NOEL) of 0.16 g/kg BW/day based on actual intake. This corresponds to a human equivalent dose (HED) of approximately 26 mg/kg BW/day. These findings support the safety of SZTQS for potential long-term oral use in humans.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120372"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144794687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}