Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim最新文献

{"title":"Attitude, perception and practice towards traditional Chinese medicine among Chinese ophthalmic patients: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Sha Li,&nbsp;Ying Wang,&nbsp;Ming Zhong,&nbsp;Wei-feng Sun,&nbsp;Rui Zhang,&nbsp;Guang-ping Gao,&nbsp;Xiao Cui,&nbsp;Qiao-yao Su,&nbsp;Fang-yuan Zou,&nbsp;Meng Zhang,&nbsp;Na Li,&nbsp;Xi Meng,&nbsp;Gong-qian Wu,&nbsp;Tong-tong Chu,&nbsp;Xiang-nan Liu,&nbsp;Chun-yan Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.06.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.06.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To achieve better therapeutic effects of combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western medicine through exploring the attitude, perception and practice of Chinese ophthalmic patients towards TCM.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study was conducted through a questionnaire between July 1 and July 15, 2025, at the Department of Ophthalmology in a hospital in Shanghai. The 1000 included participants were divided into two groups based on whether they had received any TCM therapies before. Then, a 5-point Likert scale and logistic regressions were utilized to further analyze their attitude, perception and practice.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ophthalmic patients more than 80 years old (compared with patients aged 18–39 years; <em>P</em> = 0.017, odds ratio [OR] = 2.318, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.161, 4.631]), and qualified with senior high school (compared with primary school, <em>P</em> = 0.017, OR = 1.711, 95% CI [1.101, 2.657]), undergraduate (compared with primary school, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001, OR = 2.124, 95% CI [1.349, 3.344]) or postgraduate (compared with primary school, <em>P</em> = 0.031, OR = 2.224, 95% CI [1.074, 4.608]) degrees, who would receive eye surgery (<em>P</em> = 0.005, OR = 1.687, 95% CI [1.176, 2.420]), and diagnosed with dry eye disease (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001, OR = 1.719, 95% CI [1.276, 2.315]) were more likely to have an experience of TCM therapies. The patient-evaluated effects of TCM therapies between groups were different (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Chinese ophthalmic patients are not very optimistic about TCM, but there is still great room for progress and improvement.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Both TCM doctors and ophthalmologists should work on how to enhance popularization of TCM culture and promote TCM health literacy of the ophthalmic patients. In the future, the application of TCM therapies in the department of ophthalmology should be vigorously strengthened.</div><div><br>Please cite this article as: Li S, Wang Y, Zhong M, Sun WF, Zhang R, Gao GP, Cui X, Su QY, Zou FY, Zhang M, Li N, Meng X, Wu GQ, Chu TT, Liu XN, Zhao CY. Attitude, perception and practice towards traditional Chinese medicine among Chinese ophthalmic patients: A cross-sectional study. <em>J Integr Med.</em> 2026; 24(5):690–697.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":"24 5","pages":"Pages 690-697"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148387924","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":"Neuroprotective mechanism of acupuncture against brain injury during delayed thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke","authors":"Zheng Huang,&nbsp;Xin-yu Liu,&nbsp;Jun-feng Gao,&nbsp;Hai-tao Zhang,&nbsp;Yun Huang,&nbsp;Rong Wu,&nbsp;Yi-ying Chen,&nbsp;Zhi-hui Zhang,&nbsp;Xiu-ping Xu,&nbsp;Xin-chang Zhang,&nbsp;Guang-xia Ni","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.03.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.03.005","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study aimed to investigate the ferroptosis-related mechanism of brain injury in delayed thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and clarify the neuroprotective role of acupuncture.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, clinical retrospective analysis and animal experiments. Multi-omics analyses, including high-throughput transcriptome sequencing and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomics, were performed on brain tissues from rats with thromboembolic stroke to identify differentially expressed genes and proteins, overlapping molecules, and ferroptosis-related enriched pathways. The clinical retrospective study included 110 participants (30 healthy volunteers and 80 AIS patients, stratified by thrombolysis time windows of &lt; 3 h and 4.5–6 h) to assess neurological outcomes and iron metabolism markers. A rat model of thromboembolic stroke was used for in vivo experiments. Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to delayed intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) at 6 h post-modeling, followed by ferroptosis modulators (liproxstatin-1 and iron dextran) and acupuncture. Ferroptosis-related markers, including solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), iron deposition, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), were detected. Additionally, functional and structural assessments covering mitochondrial morphology and neurological function were conducted.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Multi-omics analysis revealed significant enrichment of ferroptosis-related pathways, including glutamate metabolism and lipid peroxidation, along with abnormal expression of molecules associated with oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption. In this retrospective study, reduced serum iron and transferrin levels, as well as total iron-binding capacity, were observed in AIS patients. Serum iron level was negatively correlated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (&lt;em&gt;r&lt;/em&gt; = –0.709, &lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.01) and had the highest predictive efficacy for symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage among the three iron metabolism indicators, with the area under the curve value of 0.803, indicating that delayed thrombolysis triggers ferroptosis. In vivo experiments demonstrated that acupuncture upregulated the expression of anti-ferroptosis proteins SLC7A11 and GPX4 and downregulated the pro-ferroptosis protein ACSL4. It alleviated ferroptosis-related pathological changes by reducing iron deposition and MDA content and increasing GSH level. Additionally, it improved mitochondrial structural integrity and neurological function and protected the BBB from disruption. Moreover, it exerted a synergistic effect with liproxstatin-1 against ferroptosis and brain injury.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":"24 5","pages":"Pages 708-724"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147693161","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":"Yoga and its risks: A systematic review of adverse events reported in case reports and case series","authors":"Suprabha Sharma,&nbsp;Samrat Singh Bhandari,&nbsp;Varun Malhotra,&nbsp;Maheshkumar Kuppusamy,&nbsp;Sanjay Kumar,&nbsp;Mona Dhakal","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.07.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.07.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Yoga has gained widespread acceptance as a complementary health practice. However, adverse events related to yoga have not been systematically evaluated for the purpose of developing evidence-based safety guidelines.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study systematically reviews published case reports and case series of yoga-associated adverse events (YAEs), categorizing their clinical features, associated yoga practices, and treatment outcomes to inform safer yoga practice.</div></div><div><h3>Search strategy</h3><div>A comprehensive search was conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from database inception through April 2025, supplemented by Google Scholar and hand-searching of reference lists.</div></div><div><h3>Inclusion criteria</h3><div>We included peer-reviewed case reports and case series in any language with English abstracts that described one or more adverse events temporally or causally linked to yoga practice.</div></div><div><h3>Data extraction and analysis</h3><div>Two authors independently screened records and extracted study identifiers, patient demographics, yoga style and technique, affected systems, management, and outcomes; a third author validated all entries, and two additional authors assessed methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Eighty-four adverse events from 70 studies were identified, affecting 7 physiological systems: musculo-skeletal (34 cases, 40%), ophthalmological (16, 19%), neurological (10, 12%), cardio-respiratory (12, 14%), psychiatric (6, 7%), nasopharyngeal/gastrointestinal (4, 5%) and dermatological (2, 2%). The most frequently implicated practices were headstand (sirsasana; 15 cases, 18%) and forceful pranayama (8, 10%). Bikram, Ashtanga and Hatha yoga were the styles most often reported in association with adverse events. Patients’ ages ranged from 15 to 90 years, and 60% were female. Fifty-four percent had pre-existing vulnerabilities. Complete recovery occurred in 40% of cases, partial recovery in 27%, and one individual had no recovery.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Although YAEs are uncommon, they can result in significant morbidity, particularly in individuals with underlying risk factors. Systematic pre-practice screening, tailored instruction, and targeted instructor training are essential to mitigate risk and promote safe yoga practice.</div><div><br>Please cite this article as: Sharma S, Bhandari SS, Malhotra V, Kuppusamy M, Kumar S, Dhakal M. Yoga and its risks: A systematic review of adverse events reported in case reports and case series. <em>J Integr Med</em>. 2026; 24(5):667–682.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":"24 5","pages":"Pages 667-682"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148498338","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":"Recommendations for the DesIgn of sham acupuncture in RandomizEd Controlled Trials (the DIRECT guidelines)","authors":"Ying Chen,&nbsp;Xiao-yu Liu,&nbsp;Zhi-shun Liu,&nbsp;Yi Guo,&nbsp;Ke-hua Zhou,&nbsp;Zhao-xiang Bian,&nbsp;Mei Wu,&nbsp;Rui-hua Tian,&nbsp;Fang Yang,&nbsp;Lu-yao Zhang,&nbsp;Ying Lu,&nbsp;Li-xing Lao,&nbsp;Li-yun He,&nbsp;Cun-zhi Liu,&nbsp;Bao-yan Liu,&nbsp;Shi-yan Yan","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.05.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.05.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Sham acupuncture control is essential for evaluating the specific efficacy of acupuncture. However, the complex nature of acupuncture components presents challenges in designing an inert sham acupuncture control while maintaining blinding. Currently, no standardized guidance exists for the design of sham acupuncture controls. This study aimed to propose guidelines for optimizing the design of sham acupuncture in randomized controlled trials.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The initial draft of the guidelines was developed through a literature review and expert interviews. The items in the guidelines were revised and finalized through consensus meetings.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The resulting Recommendations for the DesIgn of sham acupuncture in RandomizEd Controlled Trials (the DIRECT guidelines) include issues to consider prior to adopting a sham acupuncture control, a five-stage framework for designing sham acupuncture, which addresses feasibility, risks, and recommendations for the implementation of sham acupuncture in clinical trials.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These guidelines offer practical recommendations for establishing appropriate sham acupuncture controls and optimizing their implementation in randomized controlled trials of acupuncture.</div><div>Please cite this article as: Chen Y, Liu XY, Liu ZS, Guo Y, Zhou KH, Bian ZX, Wu M, Tian RH, Yang F, Zhang LY, Lu Y, Lao LX, He LY, Liu CZ, Liu BY, Yan SY. Recommendations for the DesIgn of sham acupuncture in RandomizEd Controlled Trials (the DIRECT guidelines). <em>J Integr Med</em>. 2026; 24(5):683–689.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":"24 5","pages":"Pages 683-689"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148057622","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":"Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of noninfectious inflammatory diseases: Cholinergic mechanisms and therapeutic potential.","authors":"Si-Tong Ming, Peng-Yue Guo, Fei Chen, Wei-Dong Zhang, Xia Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.08.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2026.08.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Noninfectious inflammatory diseases (NIDs), including neurological, cardiovascular, autoimmune and metabolic diseases, impose a heavy burden on the global medical system. Currently, the main drugs used in the treatment of NIDs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticoids, which can alleviate the symptoms but are often accompanied by serious adverse effects. In contrast, active components of herbal medicine provide a new option for the treatment of NIDs because of their multi-targeting properties and low toxicity. With the complexity of inflammatory responses, the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) can be a potential therapeutic pathway for NIDs. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which the active components, extracts and formulas of Chinese herbal medicines modulate CAP for the treatment of NIDs. These therapeutic effects can be achieved by regulating key targets in the CAP, including the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholinesterase and downstream signaling. These findings provide valuable hints for the development of new potential drugs targeting NIDs. Please cite this article as: Ming ST, Guo PY, Chen F, Zhang WD, Liu X. Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of noninfectious inflammatory diseases: Cholinergic mechanisms and therapeutic potential. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.</p>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921384","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":"Meridian systems as spatiotemporal networks: An internal body geographic information system.","authors":"Yeonhee Ryu, Younbyoung Chae","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.08.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2026.08.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We propose a conceptual and methodological approach that treats the human body as an internal geographic information system (GIS) for studying meridian-related phenomena. Instead of searching for a single anatomical substrate, we reinterpret meridians as functional networks embedded in a body-centered coordinate system, where acupoints are modeled as both discrete nodes and probabilistic three-dimensional locations. This body-based spatial platform incorporates two key constructs: reaction fields, which map stimulation-evoked responses across body space and time, and indication fields, which map the spatial distribution of clinical indications. A multilayer body GIS can integrate sensation maps, pain drawings, thermography, electrophysiology, neuroimaging and indication databases. It can then quantify clustering, anisotropy and diffusion-like propagation, and compare meridian-based partitions with dermatomes, nerve fields and indication-based zones. By integrating spatial science and network theory, this perspective shifts meridian research from ontological debates toward empirically testable questions about internal geography. It establishes a spatial foundation for interpreting traditional East Asian medical concepts, and developing shared data structures, quantitative methods and reporting standards for meridian research. Please cite this article as: Ryu Y, Chae Y. Meridian systems as spatiotemporal networks: An internal body geographic information system. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.</p>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148888909","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":"Acupuncture for Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis integrating traditional insights and scientific evidence.","authors":"Wei-Ling Huang, Li-Li Wang, Jian-Rong Shi, Qing Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.08.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2026.08.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Alzheimer's disease (AD), a leading cause of dementia in the elderly, is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment, and still lacks effective therapeutic interventions.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This systematic review synthesizes the classical theoretical foundations, clinical evidence, and modern mechanistic insights for the use of acupuncture to treat AD.</p><p><strong>Search strategy: </strong>A meta-analysis was conducted based on a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP information, and Wanfang Data, covering the period from inception until September 2025.</p><p><strong>Inclusion criteria: </strong>Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared acupuncture (manual or electroacupuncture) with control interventions, including sham acupuncture, donepezil, placebo, or no treatment.</p><p><strong>Data extraction and analysis: </strong>Data were extracted by two reviewers working independently and then analyzed using the meta and meta for packages in R (v4.3.2). Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 21 RCTs comprising 1354 participants met the inclusion criteria. Compared with no-treatment controls, acupuncture significantly improved cognitive performance, as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (WMD = 3.74, 95% CI: 1.34-6.14), and outperformed placebo controls (WMD = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.39-2.87). Acupuncture showed efficacy comparable to that of donepezil on MMSE and Activity of Daily Living (ADL), suggesting non-inferiority to standard pharmacotherapy. Frequently used acupoints included GV20, ST36, GB20, LR3, and ST40, often combining local (GV24, EX-HN1) and distal (SP10, KI3) points. Reported adverse events were mild and transient, with no significant difference from controls. Biomarker analyses indicated that acupuncture enhanced acetylcholine levels and reduced plasma Aβ_1-40, Aβ_1-42, and Tau levels, implying modulation of cholinergic transmission and AD-related pathology.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This review highlights acupuncture as a holistic, multi-targeted therapy with promising potential for managing AD. Future research should aim to standardize acupuncture protocols, integrate TCM syndrome differentiation, and adopt neurobiological and imaging techniques to explore mechanisms. Please cite this article as: Huang WL, Wang LL, Shi JR, Liu Q. Acupuncture for Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis integrating traditional insights and scientific evidence. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.</p>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851371","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":"Bridging the gap between syndrome differentiation advocacy and RCT practice: A reflection on the integration of Chinese and Western medicines.","authors":"Si-Yuan Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.08.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2026.08.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Please cite this article as: Zhu SY. Bridging the gap between syndrome differentiation advocacy and RCT practice: A reflection on the integration of Chinese and Western medicines. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.</p>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148888932","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":"Quercetin for brain diseases: Preclinical evidence and therapeutic potentials.","authors":"Xiao-Ling Fang, Hui-Ru Chen, Zi-Qiao Xu, Jia-Qi Xu, Xuan-Ying Yin, Hong-Ying Yang, Qi Wang, Shui-Qing Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.07.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2026.07.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review compiles the preclinical evidence on the therapeutic effects of quercetin in brain diseases, outlines its underlying mechanisms and highlights new insights and future research needs. Quercetin shows robust preclinical efficacy across diverse models of brain diseases, improving neurological function as well as cognitive and behavioral outcomes. The reported benefits include reductions in infarct volume, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, inflammation and oxidative damage, with trends toward structural and functional recovery. These effects stem from pleiotropic, multi-target mechanisms, most consistently involving antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory actions, as well as modulation of mitochondrial function and regulation of cell-death/quality-control pathways (e.g., autophagy and ferroptosis). Studies also describe delivery strategies (e.g., nanoparticles, liposomes and exosomes) and combination regimens that enhance brain delivery and overall efficacy. However, its clinical translation is hampered by the BBB permeability and the hormetic dose-response properties of quercetin. Evidence suggests that the dose- and timing-dependent bidirectional effects imply a relatively narrow therapeutic window and potential toxicity or loss of protection at high doses or under specific conditions. Quercetin is a promising neuroprotective candidate or adjunctive strategy that can synergistically target multiple pathological processes associated with brain diseases. These findings provide valuable information for the discovery of new drugs from traditional medicines and natural products. However, translation is constrained due to its poor aqueous solubility, limited bioavailability, suboptimal BBB penetration and rapid metabolism, as well as the need to define safety limits related to dose-, schedule- and metabolite-dependent bidirectional effects. Future work should optimize the delivery system and appropriate combinations, clarify exposure-response relationships, elucidate key active metabolites and long-term safety profiles, define appropriate patient populations and confirm clinically significant benefits through rigorous clinical studies. Please cite this article as: Fang XL, Chen HR, Xu ZQ, Xu JQ, Yin XY, Yang HY, Wang Q, Huang SQ. Quercetin for brain diseases: Preclinical evidence and therapeutic potentials. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.</p>","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148799753","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":"A commentary on the cautious use of moxibustion at Chize (LU5) and Weizhong (BL40) from the perspective of classical theory: Interpreting the divergent thermal effects in a modern randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Dong'e Huang, Jun-Qing Dong","doi":"10.1016/j.joim.2026.07.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2026.07.008","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148680415","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}