Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Geniposide activates the transcription of Ndufs8 and enhances PD-L1 blockade for inhibiting growth of osteosarcoma","authors":"Fanghao Zheng ,&nbsp;Tingting Zhao ,&nbsp;Zhenyang Liu ,&nbsp;Na Shao","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2025.04.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2025.04.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Geniposide, a key bioactive component of Gardenia jasminoides, is an iridoid glycoside known for its therapeutic potential in various diseases characterized by oxidative stress or inflammation, including atherosclerosis, brain disorders, and diabetes. However, its effects on osteosarcoma and the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Therefore, we explored the impact of geniposide on osteosarcoma growth through proteomic analysis. After subcutaneous tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma cells proteomic alterations were analyzed. GO and KEGG pathway analyses were performed to identify enriched pathways and critical proteins. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were conducted to measure the protein expression of AMPK, SIRT1, OVOL3, and Ndufs8. Flow cytometry, CCK-8, and colony formation assays were employed to assess osteosarcoma growth. ELISA assay was utilized to measure alterations in pyruvate, lactate, and ATP following geniposide treatment. ChIP were performed to confirm OVOL3 transcriptionally regulates Ndfus8. The results demonstrated that geniposide inhibited osteosarcoma growth by 45–65 % in tumor weight, with proteomic data revealing oxidative phosphorylation as the critical pathway. Geniposide reduced Ki-67 and PCNA expression by 30–55 %, while increasing apoptosis rates by 2.5-fold. Mechanistically, Ndufs8 was upregulated 1.8–2.3-fold by geniposide, enhancing ROS levels by 40–60 % and suppressing osteosarcoma cell viability by 50–70 %. Additionally, geniposide suppressed PD-L1 expression by 40–50 % and synergized with PD-L1 blockade. These findings reveal that geniposide inhibits osteosarcoma through dual mechanisms: Ndufs8-mediated oxidative phosphorylation activation and PD-L1/PD-L1 axis suppression, offering a novel therapeutic strategy. These findings suggest that geniposide is a promising therapeutic agent for osteosarcoma and may enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy combined with PD-L1 blockade.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"16 4","pages":"Pages 433-445"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147886888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatholobus suberectus Dunn inhibits breast cancer bone metastasis in vitro and in vivo","authors":"Qingqing Liu,&nbsp;Nanxi Li,&nbsp;Dijie Li,&nbsp;Feng Zhang,&nbsp;Yang Jiang,&nbsp;Kumar Ganesan,&nbsp;Yue Sui,&nbsp;Jin Liu,&nbsp;Jianping Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.11.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.11.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Breast cancer bone metastasis (BCBM) has a high incidence in clinical settings, resulting in decreased life expectancy and quality of life. Previous research has shown that <em>Spatholobus suberectus</em> Dunn inhibits breast cancer lung metastasis. However, no studies have examined its regulatory effects on BCBM. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of the percolation of <em>Spatholobus suberectus</em> (SSP) on BCBM and its underlying mechanisms.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>The inhibitory role of SSP on BCBM was determined by cytotoxicity, colony formation assays, invasion, and migration in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, and osteoclast differentiation in RANKL-induced RAW 264.7 cell lines. The progression of bone metastasis and overall survival of mice were determined using the BCBM mouse model.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>SSP treatment significantly reduced TNBC proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation and inhibited osteoclast differentiation. Additionally, SSP significantly decreased the expression of bone-related marker genes, such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, cathepsin K, and osteoclast-associated receptors. SSP administration effectively reduced the progression of bone metastasis and prolonged the survival time of mice compared to that of the control. The expression level of Dickkopf-1 was also downregulated after SSP treatment, which may account for SSP's anti-bone metastasis mechanism. Overall, SSP exerts therapeutic effects by mitigating colony formation, invasion, migration, metastasis, osteoclast differentiation, and osteolytic destruction. This may provide new drugs for the prevention and treatment of BCBM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"16 4","pages":"Pages 362-370"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13316516/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148361394","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":"Gancao Nourishing-Yin decoction ameliorates endothelial inflammaging induced by serum from rheumatoid arthritis patients","authors":"Yong Chen ,&nbsp;Baojiang Wang ,&nbsp;Yongchao Zhao ,&nbsp;Xiaoli Pan ,&nbsp;Jing Zhao ,&nbsp;Chunyan Li ,&nbsp;Mei Tian ,&nbsp;Yanjuan Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2026.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2026.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Inhibiting inflammaging is key to preventing cardiovascular complications in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Gancao Nourishing-Yin decoction (GCNY), a Chinese herbal remedy, has shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. This study explores the efficacy and mechanism of GCNY in reducing endothelial inflammaging in RA.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured with RA serum to construct an endothelial inflammaging cell model. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining assays were performed to evaluate the effects of GCNY. GCNY components were identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The potential mechanisms of GCNY were investigated and verified through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), network pharmacology, molecular docking analysis, and web-lab experiments.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>RA serum-treated HUVECs displayed hallmark inflammaging features, including abnormal proliferation, increased apoptosis, elevated ROS and higher SA-β-gal levels. GCNY medicated serum reduced ROS, SA-β-gal, P53 and P21 levels, while improving angiogenesis. RNA-seq analysis revealed that GCNY lowered the transcriptional expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines. LC-MS/MS identified 72 compounds, and network pharmacology analysis linked these compounds to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway (PI3K/AKT pathway). Western blot assay verified that GCNY downregulated the phosphorylated protein levels of PI3K/AKT pathway. The molecular docking analysis suggested coactions between the PI3K-related proteins and the components of GCNY. In conclusion, the RA serum induced inflammaging HUVECs model, and GCNY demonstrated therapeutic potential by mitigating these effects. This study offers a promising approach for preventing cardiovascular complications in RA patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"16 4","pages":"Pages 446-457"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147909118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Damage-induced muscle regeneration after exercise in humans: Modulatory effects of ginsenoside Rg1","authors":"Andrew Mark Edwards ,&nbsp;Peggy Pui Lai Or ,&nbsp;Chien-Wen Hou ,&nbsp;Chih-Yang Huang ,&nbsp;Chen Zheng ,&nbsp;Fenghua Sun ,&nbsp;Xinmin Liu ,&nbsp;Kunanya Masodsai ,&nbsp;Chia-Hua Kuo","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2026.04.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2026.04.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Exercise-induced focal sarcolemmal disruption in susceptible myofibers results in bone marrow cell infiltration and reduced cellular senescence in skeletal muscle, followed by increases in muscle strength and mass. In contrast, removal of gravitational loading during spaceflight or prolonged bed rest leads to rapid losses of muscle mass and strength, recapitulating features of ageing. Accumulating evidence indicates that this exercise-induced muscle adaptation is driven by damage-evoked immune signaling that mobilizes bone marrow-derived progenitor cells to sites of tissue injury for regeneration. Cross-age transplantation studies further demonstrate that circulating bone marrow-derived cells (i.e., immune and progenitor cells) are key determinants of muscle regenerative capacity. Recent human muscle biopsy studies reveal that infiltrating immune and progenitor cells can fuse with damaged myofibers and contribute mitochondria during recovery. Within this damage-induced regeneration framework, ginsenosides, the bioactive steroidal constituents of <em>Panax</em> species, have emerged as potential modulators of immune activation, stem/progenitor cell mobilization, and cell-state regulation. However, randomized controlled trials using different ginseng extracts have yielded inconsistent outcomes in exercise adaptation, likely due to variability in ginsenoside composition across species, cultivation season, and processing. To date, rigorously controlled, double-blind trials using standardized ginsenoside remain scarce. Rg1 is the only compound supported by human biopsy evidence, associated with reproducible reductions in perceived exertion and senolytic effects following exercise-induced muscle damage. This review reports current evidence on ginsenosides, with a specific focus on Rg1, within an attrition-regeneration framework and proposes a testable mechanistic model to guide future human trials and translation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"16 4","pages":"Pages 355-361"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148361402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Inhibitory effect of standardized Kaempferia parviflora extract on sarcopenia by improving protein metabolism pathways in aged C57BL/6J mice","authors":"Changhee Kim ,&nbsp;Minseong Kang ,&nbsp;Yeeun Kim ,&nbsp;Jae-Kwan Hwang","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2025.03.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2025.03.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Sarcopenia is a muscle disease typically characterized by an age-related loss of muscle mass and function, leading to the deterioration of health in older adults. The current study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of standardized <em>Kaempferia parviflora</em> extract (KPE) on sarcopenia and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>To assess the inhibitory effects of KPE on sarcopenia, 18-month-old C57BL/6J mice were employed as an aged model. The mice were orally administered 100 and 200 mg/kg KPE daily for 8 weeks.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>KPE improved age-reduced grip strength and exercise endurance. It not only increased hindlimb muscle weight, volume, and myofiber cross-sectional area but also decreased abdominal fat volume and adipose tissue weight. KPE downregulated the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 by inactivating nuclear factor kappa B protein expression and increasing the mRNA expression of anti-oxidant enzymes. Moreover, it significantly reduced the mRNA expression of muscle ring finger-1 and muscle atrophy F-box for proteolysis and stimulated the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway for protein translation by stimulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway. KPE also increased the relative mitochondrial DNA content by upregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha, nuclear respiratory factor 1, and mitochondrial transcription factor A mRNA expression.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study's findings demonstrate that KPE improves age-induced sarcopenia by regulating protein turnover and mitochondrial homeostasis. Therefore, KPE is potentially useful as a functional ingredient that inhibits or decelerates sarcopenia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"16 4","pages":"Pages 412-421"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148357686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combination therapy of shinbaro and celecoxib improves joint pain and cartilage degradation in an osteoarthritis mouse model","authors":"Jae-Hwan Jang,&nbsp;Yurim Song,&nbsp;Seok Hee Han,&nbsp;Bo Ram Choi,&nbsp;Yoon Jae Lee,&nbsp;In-Hyuk Ha","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2025.03.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2025.03.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Osteoarthritis is characterized by cartilage degeneration and joint pain, and celecoxib is widely used to treat osteoarthritis, but it has the risk of side effects. We investigated the effect of Shinbaro, a herbal medicine, combined with celecoxib in osteoarthritis. <em>In vitro</em>, primary chondrocytes treated with Shinbaro (200 μg/mL) or celecoxib (0.5 or 1 μM) in the presence of interleukin (IL)-1β (1 ng/mL) for 24 and 48 h were analyzed for cell viability, gene expression, and protein levels. <em>In vivo</em>, mice with osteoarthritis induced via destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery were treated with Shinbaro (100 mg/kg) and/or celecoxib (15 or 30 mg/kg) five times weekly for 8 weeks (<em>n</em> = 7/groups; total <em>n</em> = 42). Cartilage degradation and inflammation were evaluated through behavioral tests, Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring, and immunofluorescence. The combined treatment did not affect cell viability but reduced the IL-1β-induced expression of extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading enzymes (matrix metallopeptidase 13 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5) in chondrocytes. It also inhibited IL-1β-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation, showing a synergistic reduction in pro-inflammatory markers compared to single treatments. In a DMM-induced osteoarthritis mouse model, the combined treatment improved weight distribution, reduced mechanical allodynia, and protected against cartilage degradation, evidenced by lower OARSI scores and preserved ECM components (COL2A1, aggrecan). The combined treatment with Shinbaro and celecoxib may offer superior therapeutic benefits in reducing joint pain and degeneration in osteoarthritis by targeting inflammation and preserving cartilage, potentially addressing the limitations of long-term celecoxib use.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"16 4","pages":"Pages 422-432"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148357726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A novel postbiotic from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 able to enhance the steady-state myelopoiesis","authors":"Gutiérrez Florencia,&nbsp;Vasile Brenda,&nbsp;Ivir Maximiliano,&nbsp;Alvarez Susana,&nbsp;Salva Susana","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2025.02.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2025.02.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The myelopotentiating effect of postbiotics derived from the probiotic <em>Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus</em> CRL1505, including the peptidoglycan (PG1505), and the cell wall (CW1505), was evaluated in cyclophosphamide (Cy)-immunosuppressed mice. Adult Swiss mice were orally treated with the CRL1505 strain, the PG1505, or the CW1505 for 15 consecutive days. On day 6, both treated groups and untreated control mice received a single intraperitoneal dose of Cy. Cy administration impaired steady-state myelopoiesis. However, the CW1505 and the CRL1505 strain promoted a significant increase in bone marrow (BM) LSK cells (Lin⁻Sca1⁺c-kit⁺), myeloid multipotent precursors (MPP: Lin⁻Sca-1⁺c-Kit⁺CD34⁺) and mitotic pool cells. Moreover, both the CW1505 and the CRL1505 strain were the only treatments able to reduce the BM cells undergoing apoptosis at five days post-Cy administration. Consequently, CW1505 minimized leukopenia and promoted a faster recovery of BM mature myeloid cells (Ly6G⁺Gr-1⁺Ly6C⁻), as well as blood leukocytes and neutrophils. Additionally, a comparative study with other postbiotics demonstrated that the myelopotentiating properties of the CW1505 are strain-specific.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"16 4","pages":"Pages 399-411"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13316382/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148361375","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":"A double-blinded randomized clinical trial: Topical Sahasthara extract versus diclofenac for treating primary knee osteoarthritis using microemulsions as a topical delivery system","authors":"Ninnart Intharit ,&nbsp;Arunporn Itharat ,&nbsp;Raimar Löbenberg ,&nbsp;Boonchana Pongcharoen ,&nbsp;Kalyarut Phumlek ,&nbsp;Ubonwan Saesiw ,&nbsp;Theeraphong Ninlaor ,&nbsp;Suchada Naknarin ,&nbsp;Patcharaporn Muanrit ,&nbsp;Reawfang Sriyom","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2026.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2026.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Sahasthara (SHT), a traditional Thai herbal remedy used for anti-inflammatory and musculoskeletal disorders, lacks clinical evaluation as a topical formulation employing microemulsion (ME) technology. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a Sahasthara microemulsion (SHT-ME) compared with a diclofenac microemulsion (DF-ME) in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA).</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>Eighty-four patients aged 40–70 years were randomized to receive either 1% SHT-ME or 2% DF-ME, applied three times daily for 28 days. Efficacy was evaluated using the pain visual analogue scale (VAS), 100-m walking time, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, and global assessments. Safety assessments included physical examinations, laboratory tests, and adverse-event monitoring.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both formulations significantly reduced VAS pain scores, improved walking time, and decreased WOMAC scores at days 14 and 28 compared with baseline (P &lt; 0.05). No significant efficacy differences were observed between groups (P &gt; 0.05). Liver and renal function, blood pressure, and biochemical parameters remained within normal ranges, and no severe or skin-related adverse events occurred in either group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>SHT-ME provided efficacy comparable to DF-ME in relieving pain and improving mobility in knee OA. Both treatments were well tolerated and safe. These findings suggest that SHT-ME, a natural herbal alternative, and DF-ME, a synthetic drug formulation, are equally effective topical microemulsions for knee osteoarthritis management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"16 4","pages":"Pages 458-466"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148357727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhanced bone tissue regeneration via mesenchymal stem cells-laden Alginate/GelMa 3D-Bioprinted scaffold treated with Haplophyllum tuberculatum extract","authors":"Fatemeh Jamshidi-adegani,&nbsp;Sulaiman Al-Hashmi,&nbsp;Saeid Vakilian,&nbsp;Juhaina Al-kindi,&nbsp;Fahad Al-Fahdi,&nbsp;Mohammed Al-Broumi,&nbsp;Abdullah Al-Hadhrami,&nbsp;Nasar Alwahaibi,&nbsp;Asem Shalaby,&nbsp;Simon Gibbons,&nbsp;Ahmed Al-Harrasi,&nbsp;Wafa Al-Rawahi","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.11.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.11.016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Regeneration of critical-sized bone defects is challenging due to avascular necrosis, inflammation, and disrupted osteogenesis. This study explores the synergistic effects of <em>Haplophyllum tuberculatum</em> (HT) extract and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in an Alg/GelMa 3D-bioprinted scaffold to enhance bone regeneration.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Ethanolic extracts of stems (HTS), flowers (HTF), and a mixture (HTM) were obtained via Soxhlet extraction and subsequently characterized. Further investigations into their cytotoxicity, osteogenic and bone tissue regeneration potential were conducted, <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em>.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Alongside GC-MS analysis, vitamin and elemental analyses of HTS, HTF, and HTM revealed varying concentrations of key elements essential for bone regeneration. All extracts exhibited moderate antioxidant activity, with more potency in the HTF group. Cytotoxicity assays indicated the lack of cytotoxic effects from HTS and HTF on MSCs. The calcium secretion and deposition on MSCs revealed the osteogenic potential of HTF and HTM. Gene and protein expression analyses indicated significant upregulation of osteogenic markers in HTF-treated MSCs. The integration of MSCs into a Alg/GelMa 3D-bioprinted scaffold enhanced their viability and proliferation, validating its biocompatibility. Additionally, HTF promoted calcium deposition and ALP activity in the MSC-laden 3D-bioprinted scaffold. <em>In vivo</em> assessment in a rat calvarial defect model, demonstrated accelerated bone regeneration with HTF-treated scaffolds. The improved bone regeneration, vascularization, and collagen formation in HTF-treated defects were confirmed by histopathology results.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study underscores the significant role of the HTF in promoting osteogenesis, advocating for its incorporation into advanced tissue engineering strategies for bone regeneration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"16 4","pages":"Pages 371-384"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13316412/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148361348","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":"Anti-inflammatory and polarization-modulating effects of Houttuynia cordata in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages","authors":"Kuo-Liang Huang ,&nbsp;Mei-Chen Yang ,&nbsp;Yao-Kuang Wu ,&nbsp;Meng-Jiun Wei ,&nbsp;Hsiu-Fan Kang ,&nbsp;Guan-Ting Liu ,&nbsp;Chan-Yen Kuo ,&nbsp;I-Shiang Tzeng ,&nbsp;Po-Chun Hsieh ,&nbsp;Chou-Chin Lan","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2025.05.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtcme.2025.05.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Inflammation is a fundamental component of the immune response in host defense against pathogens and during tissue repair. <em>Houttuynia cordata</em> (HC), a herbaceous plant used in traditional Asian medicine, has significant anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, the underlying mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects of HC are not fully understood. In this study, the immunomodulatory potential and macrophage polarization-modulating effects of HC were evaluated with a focus on cell signaling molecule expression, inflammatory cytokine production and macrophage polarization, with the aim of revealing the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects and therapeutic potential of HC.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>We investigated the effects of HC extract on proinflammatory cytokine production, signaling pathway activity, macrophage surface marker expression, morphology, and phagocytic activity under different treatment conditions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>Compared with LPS alone, HC treatment before LPS stimulation significantly reduced IL-1β, TNF-α, nuclear NF-κB, and pERK levels while increasing TGF-β levels. Compared with HC pretreatment, HC treatment after LPS stimulation further decreased the IL-6, TNF-α, nuclear NF-κB, and pERK levels. LPS resulted in a trend toward increased CD80 expression in macrophages. Both HC pretreatment and HC posttreatment tended to increase CD163 expression in macrophages. Our study demonstrated that HC, particularly when administered after inflammation onset, effectively reduces proinflammatory cytokine levels, modulates key signaling pathways, and polarizes macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype. These effects suggest that HC has significant therapeutic potential in treating inflammatory diseases by modulating macrophage activity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17449,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine","volume":"16 2","pages":"Pages 200-209"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147365747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}