Journal of ethnopharmacology最新文献

{"title":"Corrigendum to \"A herbal product inhibits carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis by suppressing the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway\" [J. Ethnopharmacol. 311 (2023) 116419].","authors":"Qi Jingshu, Ping Dabing, Sun Xin, Huang Kai, Peng Yuan, Liu Chenghai","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.119829","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.119829","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"119829"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143968817","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":"Corrigendum to \"Simiao Wan attenuates monosodium urate crystal-induced arthritis in rats through contributing to macrophage M2 polarization\" [J. Ethnopharmacol. (2021) 275 114123].","authors":"J Yang, G Chen, T W Guo, W Y Qin, P Jia","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.119828","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.119828","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"119828"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144023348","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":"Mechanism study and clinical observation of Jia Wei Su Zi Jiang qi formula in reducing mucus hypersecretion in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.","authors":"Qinfeng Lu, Zhu Chen, Bai-Xiang Mu, Bo-Han Wang, Fanchao Feng, Jun Zhao, Hailang He, Yu Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120363","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120363","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>COPD, marked by coughing, sputum production, and wheezing, is categorized as \"Lung Distension\" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The combined use of Suzi Jiangqi Decoction and Sanzi Yangqin Decoction, known as Jia Wei Su Zi Jiang Qi Formula (JWSZJQF), is a common treatment for Lung Distension with phlegm accumulation in the lungs. It is particularly effective for symptoms like excessive phlegm and chest tightness. However, the specific active components of JWSZJQF and their molecular mechanisms in addressing mucus hypersecretion in COPD remain unclear, requiring further investigation and validation.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>This study aims to identify the potential targets and signaling pathways of JWSZJQF in treating COPD-associated mucus hypersecretion using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS, network pharmacology, and in vitro experimental verification.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>All plant names were verified through WorldFloraOnline (www.worldFloraonline.org) and MPNs (http://mpns.kew.org). First, the effective components of JWSZJQF were identified and analyzed using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS, supplemented by data from TCMSP. Network pharmacology analysis was used to determine the potential targets and pathways of JWSZJQF in COPD treatment. A mucus hypersecretion cell model was created using IL-17 cytokine, and the effectiveness of JWSZJQF in reducing mucus hypersecretion was assessed through immunofluorescence assay, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Lastly, a prospective study was conducted to collect data from 30 inpatients with AECOPD between September 2023 and July 2024. Serum samples before and after treatment were analyzed to validate the findings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 864 active components were identified, with 79 potential COPD therapeutic targets confirmed based on the top 30 active components, including TNF, IL-6, and AKT1. The involved KEGG pathways included the IL-17 and NF-κB signaling pathways. In vitro experiments showed that JWSZJQF inhibited mucin (MUC5AC) secretion at both mRNA and protein levels. Additionally, JWSZJQF modulated i-κBα and p65 expression in the NF-κB pathway. Compared to the control group, patients treated with JWSZJQF exhibited lower levels of IL-17 and MUC5AC in their serum.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study preliminarily explored the mechanisms of JWSZJQF in treating COPD-associated mucus hypersecretion through UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS, network pharmacology, in vitro experiments, and clinical observation. The main active components and potential targets were identified, laying a scientific foundation for further research.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120363"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144799294","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 the protective effects of Huangyangning dispersible tablets against Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity based on UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental validation in vivo and in vitro.","authors":"Chong Yu, Shuai Li, Yujiao Zhang, Baocang Wang, Zhe Liu, Na Han, Jianxiu Zhai, Sikai Li, Jun Yin, Zhihui Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120388","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120388","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Huangyangning dispersible tablets (HYN), derived from Buxus microphylla Sieb, are used in traditional Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation, relieve pain, and treat cardiovascular disorders. HYN is a potential Chinese medicine for treating dose-dependent cardiotoxicity (DIC), but its mechanism of action is unclear.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic benefits of HYN against DIC and explore its underlying mechanisms in treating DIC.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This study used Doxorubicin-induced H9C2 cells and DIC mice models to assess HYN's therapeutic effects and potential mechanism against DIC. The main compounds of HYN were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) and online databases. Network pharmacology predicted potential targets, which were further analyzed by protein-protein interaction (PPI), kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), gene ontology (GO), molecular docking, and dynamics simulations, with validation by Western Blot.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that Doxorubicin can inflict cardiomyocyte damage by diminishing cell viability, perturbing cellular morphology, and initiating ferroptosis. Pretreatment with HYN and FER-1 reversed these effects, indicating HYN combated DIC by inhibiting ferroptosis. UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS identified five major alkaloids in HYN. Network pharmacology suggested the ROS pathway plays a key role, with Keap1 and Nrf2 regulating oxidative stress. Molecular simulations revealed CVB-D and CB-D in HYN inhibit Keap1, activating Nrf2 to upregulate HO-1 and neutralize oxidative stress, confirmed by Western Blot.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HYN effectively improved the DIC through alleviating ferroptosis, achieved by interfering with the interaction between Keap1 and Nrf2.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120388"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144804243","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 the effective substances and mechanisms of action of ChaiHu ShuGan San in treating perimenopausal syndrome based on in vivo exposure profiles and steroid hormone metabolic networks.","authors":"Haiyan Lyu, Ting Li, Yingjie Chen, Yan Xue, Wei Liu, Yue Yuan, Simian Chen, Di Lu, Yixin Ren, Hao Wang, Fengling Cao, Caisheng Wu, Binbin Chen, Xueqin Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120648","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120648","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Perimenopause is a transitional period in women marked by hormonal fluctuations, often resulting in symptoms such as hot flashes and mood disturbances. According to traditional Chinese medicine, these symptoms are linked to liver stagnation and kidney deficiency, and ChaiHu ShuGan San (CSS), a classical multi-herbal formulation, has been traditionally used to alleviate mood-related symptoms and modulate endocrine function in women during the perimenopausal transition, but the underlying mechanisms and active compounds remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>This study aims to explore the active substances and potential mechanisms of CSS in treating PMS through steroid hormone metabolic pathways and in vivo exposure profiles.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A perimenopausal rat model was induced via ovariectomy. LC-MS/MS was employed to establish CSS metabolites profile and the TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide) level in rat plasma. High-exposure compounds underwent molecular docking and network pharmacology to explore interactions with steroid metabolism pathways. Biochemical markers HPA axis hormones (in plasma), IL-10 (in plasma) and FMO3 (flavin-containing monooxygenase 3, in rat liver and serum) levels were measured. The Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA) was used to provide in vitro validation of compounds binding to FMO3.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CSS treatment was shown to regulate abnormal hormone levels, reduce triglycerides and cholesterol, and increase IL-10 levels, alleviating PMS symptoms in rats. LC-MS/MS identified liquiritigenin, isosakuranetin, and hesperetin as high-exposure components. Network pharmacology and molecular docking suggest that these three flavonoids interact with the FMO3 enzyme. CETSA results showed that these flavonoids directly bind to the FMO3 protein. CSS decreased the FMO3 level in rat liver and serum.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CSS alleviates PMS symptoms in rats and ameliorates the abnormal changes in disease-related biochemical markers. Inhibition of FMO3 pathways is involved in the effects of CSS. This study provides further pharmacological and chemical justifications for the use of CSS in PMS management.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120648"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145182154","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":"Pretreatment of antioxidative Hodgsonia macrocarpa leaves attenuates anxiety, depression, inflammation, and pain: an in vitro, in vivo, and in silico study.","authors":"Mohammed Shahanewz, Shamima Islam, Md Hazrat Ali, Shariful Islam, Supath Xavier Besra, A S M Ali Reza, A H M Khurshid Alam","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120391","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Hodgsonia macrocarpa (Blume) Cogn., known locally in Southeast Asia as bonyo kumra, is a climber traditionally used to treat a wide range of ailments, including headache, body pain, inflammation, fever, wounds, and ulcers. However, experimental assessments of these bioactivities are scarce.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>This work uses a variety of in vitro, in vivo, and in silico techniques to examine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuropharmacological, and analgesic capabilities of H. macrocarpa leaf methanol extract.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The methanolic extract of H. macrocarpa leaves (MEHML) was obtained by extracting H. macrocarpa leaf powder with methanol. GC-MS analysis was performed to determine potential bioactive compounds. Following qualitative and quantitative phytochemical profiling through standard methods, commonly used in vitro assays were employed to detect anti-inflammatory activity. Anxiolytic, antidepressant, and pain-attenuating potential were investigated on Swiss albino mice. Finally, GC-MS-identified compounds were submitted to an in silico study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Phytochemical profiling suggested the presence of a variety of constituents, including alkaloids, phenols, tannins, carbohydrates, and flavonoids. Significant antioxidant activity was observed in MEHML due to significant amounts of phenolics, flavonoids, beta-carotene, and lycopene, with promising radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 7.762 ± 0.14 μg/mL). Moreover, substantial dose-dependent anxiolytic and anti-depressive effects were detected in behavioral assays (p < 0.01-0.001). Noteworthy anti-inflammatory and analgesic (p < 0.001) activities were displayed in in vitro and in vivo assays, respectively. The in-silico study corroborated the biological activities, revealing strong binding interactions of GC-MS-identified compounds, including (E, E)-pyrrolidine 1-(1-oxo-10,12-octadecadienyl) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, with target proteins, thereby supporting the experimental findings.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>MEHML holds significant analgesic and neuropharmacological potential, as well as promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, validated by in silico investigations.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120391"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144804248","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":"Improving visibility for knowledge holders in ethnobiological and ethnopharmacological publications.","authors":"I Teixidor-Toneu, G Odonne, M Leonti, M Hudson, F M Jordan, G Mattalia, C G J Pankararu, M T Silva, L S Silva, T Ulian, I Vandebroek, J Wall, N Hanazaki","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120632","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2025.120632","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Ethnopharmacology and ethnobiology largely focus on the study of traditional knowledge related to medicinal and other uses of plants, animals or minerals. Despite decades of political advocacy, ethnopharmacological and ethnobiological information is still sometimes published without proper attribution of the cultural identities and affiliations of the communities that shared it.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>Identify key guidelines to ensure the proper attribution of ethnobiological and ethnopharmacological knowledge recorded in scientific publications to the communities who provided it.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>This article is based on extensive group discussions that started at a workshop entitled \"A worldwide database of local uses of biodiversity: Why? For whom? And how?\" (18th Congress of the International Society of Ethnobiology in Marrakech, Morocco, May 15-19, 2024), and was attended by around 50 participants. The guidelines were developed through an iterative revision process.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We propose practical guidelines to improve the attribution and thus, visibility, of communities whose knowledge contributes to ethnobiological and ethnopharmacological publications.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Transparent and consistent reporting of the provenance of place-based ancestral knowledge from communities is essential for advancing the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol, the Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, and for strengthening academic inquiry.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120632"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145176001","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":"Targeting DNA damage: A natural product-based strategy for inhibiting cancer progression.","authors":"Jia-Xuan Wang, Ming-Xiu Zhang, Cheng-Hao Yu, Su-Juan Wang, Hong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120643","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120643","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>DNA damage-induced genomic instability represents a fundamental hallmark of cancer progression. Natural products with multi-target and low toxicity characteristics can effectively utilize this mechanism for cancer treatment.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>This review aims to explore how traditional medicine derived natural products inhibit cancer progression by inducing DNA damage and clarify the multi-target mechanisms of action involved. It focuses on analyzing how natural products enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs, reduce side effects, and overcome tumor drug resistance through oxidative stress, DNA repair inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and apoptotic signaling pathway activation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To comprehensively assess the current research progress on natural products that inhibit cancer via DNA damage mechanisms, we performed a systematic retrieval and evaluation of both Chinese and English literature published from January 2000 to August 2025. Searches were conducted across major scientific databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), using keywords such as \"DNA damage\", \"DNA fragment\", \"DNA fragmentation\", \"natural product\", and \"extract\". In addition, we consulted classical texts and historical Chinese literature to explore the traditional uses of these natural products. All retrieved information was subsequently synthesized and critically analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This review analyzed more than 200 articles and examined the research progress of over 80 active natural products that treat or synergistically enhance cancer therapy through inducing DNA damage. It provides a systematic overview of the sources, effects, and molecular mechanisms of these natural products, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, polysaccharides, and extracts, highlighting their roles in inducing oxidative stress in cancer cells, inhibiting DNA repair, regulating cell cycle checkpoints, and promoting apoptosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Natural products derived from traditional medicines can serve as dual-action agents, inducing both chemosensitization and cytotoxicity, through DNA damage-related pathways. This approach provides a promising strategy to overcome tumor drug resistance and advance precision oncology. Future research should prioritize exploiting synthetic lethal effects, optimizing drug delivery systems, and improving clinical applicability through emerging technologies such as PROTAC.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120643"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145175564","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":"Atractylenolide III alleviates inflammation in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by modulating the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.","authors":"Mingjiang Mao, Chenhuan Shentu, Xueao Chen, Qingling Meng, Ziyu Jiao, Yikai Zhang, Na Zhu, Liping Zhou, Yangsheng Wu, Shijie Dai, Xiaofeng Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120644","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120644","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Atractylodes macrocephala, traditionally recorded in classical formulas such as 'Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang' and 'Xiaoxuming Tang', has been used in traditional medicine for conditions described as 'fēng tán zǔ luò xíng' and 'bì zǔ jīng luò xíng', which are considered related to cerebrovascular disorders. Atractylenolide Ⅲ (ATL Ⅲ), a typical sesquiterpene lactone derived from A. macrocephala, has been reported to exert neuroprotective effects through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Nevertheless, its specific role and underlying mechanisms in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) remain to be clarified.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that ATL Ⅲ ameliorates CIRI primarily by suppressing inflammation through the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway, which was evaluated in both middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) models.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this study, models of MCAO and OGD/R were established to explore its effect of ATL Ⅲ on CIRI. Thereafter, the therapeutic mechanism of ATL Ⅲ via transcriptomics, molecular docking, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ATL Ⅲ treatment significantly reduced infarct volume, neurological deficits, and pro-inflammatory cytokine release, while preserving blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in MCAO mice. In OGD/R-exposed PC12 cells, ATL Ⅲ attenuated oxidative stress, inhibited apoptosis, and decreased inflammatory mediator production. Transcriptomic analysis revealed several significantly enriched pathways following ATL Ⅲ treatment, among which the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway was prominent and therefore guided our mechanistic focus. Molecular docking supported the binding of ATL Ⅲ to key pathway proteins, and inhibition of PI3K with LY294002 attenuated the protective effects of ATL Ⅲ, confirming the central role of this pathway.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>ATL Ⅲ may inhibit inflammation in CIRI, potentially through regulation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway, highlighting its promise as a candidate compound for further preclinical investigation in ischemic stroke.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120644"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145176057","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":"Traditional coca chewing and cortisol modulation in Andean miners: A pilot quasi-experimental repeated-measures study on stress physiology at high altitude.","authors":"L A Lopez-Chau, A Pastor-Goyzueta, T Llosa","doi":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jep.2025.120630","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Ethnopharmacological relevance: </strong>Traditional coca leaf chewing (Erythroxylum Coca Lam.) remains a widespread cultural practice in the Andean highlands, particularly among miners exposed to high-altitude and high-strain working conditions. While coca's ethnopharmacological significance is well documented, its physiological effects on stress-related biomarkers, such as cortisol, remain underexplored.</p><p><strong>Aim of the study: </strong>We investigated whether habitual coca chewing during work shifts was associated with different serum cortisol concentrations in Peruvian miners working day and night shifts at high altitudes.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A quasi-experimental design with repeated measures at two time points was implemented at a mining site located 4000 m above sea level. A group of male local miners (n = 20) was purposively sampled and stratified into habitual coca chewers (CC, n = 10) and non-chewers (NC, n = 10), with each group subdivided by work shift (day vs. night). Serum cortisol was measured at 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. using radioimmunoassay, and group status was confirmed via urinary benzoylecgonine testing. Two-way ANOVA, post-hoc Tukey tests, and effect sizes were calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Coca-chewers exhibited significantly lower cortisol levels than non-chewers at both time points. The most pronounced difference was observed at 8:00 a.m. among night-shift workers (17.17 μg/dL vs. 8.90 μg/dL, p < 0.001, d = 4.67). Group × shift interaction effects were significant at 8:00 a.m. (p = 0.0415), but not at 4:00 p.m.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings suggest that traditional coca chewing shows a cortisol pattern consistent with lower HPA axis activity under occupational stress, particularly during circadian disruptions. Interpretation, however, is constrained by the small sample size (n = 20) and should be considered exploratory. Further research is warranted to examine the long-term effects and underlying mechanisms through biocultural and molecular approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":15761,"journal":{"name":"Journal of ethnopharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"120630"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145175483","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}