Chinese Herbal Medicines最新文献

{"title":"Systems pharmacology of traditional Chinese medicine in fibrosis: From multi-target mechanisms to translational validation","authors":"Ahmed I. Foudah,&nbsp;Aftab Alam","doi":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.05.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.05.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Systems biology research has integrated network pharmacology with clinical data to investigate traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) antifibrotic mechanisms across multiple biological pathways. These combined approaches draw on chemical-protein interaction databases, transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling, protein–protein interaction networks, molecular docking, randomized trial and large cohort study evidence. Yinchenhao Decoction, Danggui Liuhuang Decoction, <em>Curcumae Rhizoma</em> (Ezhu in Chinese)-<em>Astragali Radix</em> (Huangqi in Chinese) herb pair, and <em>Angelicae Sinensis Radix</em> (Danggui in Chinese)-<em>Chuanxiong Rhizoma</em> (Chuanxiong in Chinese) herb pair regulate transforming growth factor-<em>β</em> (TGF-<em>β</em>)/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor-<em>κ</em>B (NF-<em>κ</em>B), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways. Integration of these signals is associated with suppression of inflammation, altered regulation of apoptosis, modulation of cellular activation, and extracellular matrix remodeling in hepatic, cardiac, and pulmonary fibrosis models. This multi-layered framework offers a rational basis for hypothesis generation in drug repositioning and development of novel antifibrotic candidates, although clinical validation remains limited and further rigorous trials are warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9916,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Herbal Medicines","volume":"18 3","pages":"Pages 528-540"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13390108/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148564502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plantago mechanisms for enhanced wound healing: A review on bioactive phytoconstituents","authors":"Triana Hertiani,&nbsp;Muhammad Khafi,&nbsp;Latifa Amalia,&nbsp;Muhamad Bayu Irawan","doi":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.05.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.05.015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Plantago</em> (Plantaginaceae family) exhibits remarkable diversity with over 200 species. These plants are closely associated with traditional medicine worldwide, particularly as a wound healing therapy. Recent research has revealed phytoconstituents in various <em>Plantago</em> species, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic acid derivatives, iridoid glycosides, fatty acids, and polysaccharides. Despite the advanced ongoing research on <em>Plantago</em> extracts, there is still a gap in the evaluation of their potential as an effective topical product for chronic wounds and in the way phytoconstituents contribute to the overall effect in a single comprehensive systematic review. Therefore, this review aims to explore the wound healing capabilities of <em>Plantago</em> and its phytoconstituents, as well as elucidate their mechanisms of action. Our analysis emphasizes the significant wound healing potential in 25 <em>Plantago</em> species, notably <em>Plantago major</em>, <em>Plantago lanceolata</em>, <em>Plantago australis</em>, <em>Plantago asiatica</em>, and <em>Plantago ovata</em>. These plant species contain a diverse array of 57 phytoconstituents that collectively contribute to these activities. In conclusion, this review confirms the huge potential of <em>Plantago</em> genus as a topical wound healing agent. The healing mechanisms cover a wide array of effects such as anti-bacterial activity, anti-apoptosis, stimulation of collagen synthesis and deposition, promotion of angiogenesis, suppression of inflammatory response, inhibition of cyclooxygenase, inhibition of MAPKs phosphorylation, and enhancement of endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity. A study on the network pharmacology of such potential is worth investigating as further research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9916,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Herbal Medicines","volume":"18 3","pages":"Pages 662-683"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13390053/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148564450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modern scientific connotation of a traditional Chinese medicine theory: Rice vinegar extract of Artemisia argyi exhibits excellent antifungal effects against dermatophytes","authors":"Le Chen,&nbsp;Wenli Xu,&nbsp;Chaowei Guo,&nbsp;Jinglin Yang,&nbsp;Xiaoying Hou,&nbsp;Hongzhi Du,&nbsp;Dahui Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.chmed.2025.03.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chmed.2025.03.008","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Since ancient times, &lt;em&gt;Artemisia argyi&lt;/em&gt; is commonly applied by folk to bathe and soak feet to disinfect and relieve itching. Moreover, abundant Chinese medical books recorded that “decocting &lt;em&gt;A. argyi&lt;/em&gt; with bitter wine for treating dermatophytosis with excellence”. This research was designed to explore its scientific connotation.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The antifungal activity against three dermatophytes of eight extracts from &lt;em&gt;A. argyi&lt;/em&gt; was assessed &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt;. A three-variable, three-level orthogonal design was conducted to obtain the best extraction procedure of rice vinegar extract (AARV). Subsequently, &lt;em&gt;Trichophyton rubrum&lt;/em&gt; (&lt;em&gt;T. rubrum&lt;/em&gt;)-induced dermatophytosis mice model was used to determined the efficacy of AARV topical treatment. And then, the widely targeted metabonomic technique was employed to analyze the potential antifungal material basis of AARV. Furthermore, the mechanism of AARV against dermatophytes was explored by physiological detections, transcriptomics and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;AARV was the most potent anti-dermatophytic extract from &lt;em&gt;A. argyi in vitro&lt;/em&gt;, and the best extraction procedure of AARV was optimized to the solid–liquid ratio, extraction time and rice vinegar concentration of 1:14 g/mL, 2 h and 100%, respectively. Moreover, topical treatment with AARV could alleviate skin redness, swelling and ulceration in mice, increase the number of hair follicles, and prevent the invasion of dermatophytes in hair follicles. Compared with traditional water extract, 11 unique compounds were characterized in AARV, including five alkaloids, two flavonoids, two phenols, one sesquiterpene and one triterpene. Further mechanistic studies revealed that AARV destroyed the mycelium morphology of &lt;em&gt;T. rubrum&lt;/em&gt;, promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and inhibited antioxidant enzyme activity. In addition, malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activities also decreased significantly. Transcriptome data, RT-qPCR and the determination of ergosterol content elucidated that AARV suppressed dermatophyte growth by reducing cell membrane integrity through inhibition of ergosterol and cholesterol biosynthesis pathways. And it was attributed to the downregulation of sterol 14&lt;em&gt;α&lt;/em&gt;-demethylase (CYP51), Δ&lt;sup&gt;7&lt;/sup&gt;-sterol 5-desaturase (ERG3), sterol 22-desaturase (ERG5), sterol 24-C-methyltransferase (ERG6), sterol-4&lt;em&gt;α&lt;/em&gt;-carboxylate 3-dehydrogenase (ERG26),3-keto steroid reductase (ERG27), cholestenol Δ-isomerase (EBP) mRNA expression.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The present study clarifies the modern scientific connotation of “decocting &lt;em&gt;A. argyi&lt;/em&gt; with bitter wine, excellent for treating dermatophytosis” is that the rice vinegar extract of &lt;em&gt;A. argyi&lt;/em&gt; exhibit excellent antifungal effects agai","PeriodicalId":9916,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Herbal Medicines","volume":"18 3","pages":"Pages 746-757"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147880082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Piperine attenuates fibrogenesis and inflammation in hepatic fibrosis by switching STAT3 phosphorylation at Ser727","authors":"Xu Dai,&nbsp;Yunuo Wu,&nbsp;Lihua Lian,&nbsp;Zhenyu Cui,&nbsp;Jixing Nan,&nbsp;Yanling Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.05.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.05.007","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;em&gt;Piper nigrum&lt;/em&gt; is a medicinal and edible spice that is popular worldwide due to its unique spicy flavor, and is considered as a folk medicine for treating digestive system diseases. Piperine (PIP) is a bioactive alkaloid derived from &lt;em&gt;P. nigrum&lt;/em&gt;, with remarkable hepatoprotective efficacy. Hepatic fibrosis represents a critical phase in the advancement of distinct chronic liver conditions towards cirrhosis, and currently lacks effective therapeutic drugs. The study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective functions of PIP and the underlying mechanism of PIP in combating hepatic fibrosis.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;C57BL/6J mice with hepatic fibrosis were induced by thioacetamide (TAA) and subsequently subjected to treatment with PIP or curcumin. Immortalized rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were stimulated with transforming growth factor-&lt;em&gt;β&lt;/em&gt; (TGF-&lt;em&gt;β&lt;/em&gt;), followed by culture with PIP or niclosamide [signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor], respectively. Human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 were activated by TGF-&lt;em&gt;β&lt;/em&gt; and transfected with specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence &lt;em&gt;STAT3&lt;/em&gt; gene, and afterwards cultured with PIP. The mouse AML-12 cells and macrophage-like murine cells Raw 264.7 were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), followed by culture with PIP.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;em&gt;In vivo&lt;/em&gt;, PIP reduced serum transaminase levels, collagen deposition, and decreased the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), comprising &lt;em&gt;α&lt;/em&gt;-smooth muscle actin (&lt;em&gt;α&lt;/em&gt;-SMA), collagen type I (Collagen I), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1)/matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) ratio expressions. PIP inhibited inflammatory cytokines release and myeloperoxidase (MPO) expression, including interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1), cysteine-aspartic acid protease-1 (Caspase-1), and IL-6. PIP specifically inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation at Ser727, downregulated phosphorylated janus kinase 2 (p-JAK2), and upregulated suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and protein inhibitor of activated STAT 1/3 (PIAS1/3) expressions. &lt;em&gt;In vitro&lt;/em&gt;, PIP inhibited ECM deposition and inflammatory cytokines release in activated HSCs. PIP selectively suppressed p-STAT3 at Ser727 without affecting Tyr705, and modulated p-JAK2, SOCS3, and PIAS1/3 expressions in activated HSCs, function as a STAT3 inhibitor. PIP inhibited LPS‑induced M1 polarization of RAW 264.7 macrophages. PIP decreased Cleaved‑Caspase 3 expression and apoptotic cells in LPS‑induced AML‑12 hepatocytes. STAT3 deficiency amplified regulation of PIP on &lt;em&gt;α&lt;/em&gt;-SMA and p-JAK2, as well as its upregulation on SOCS3 and PIAS1/3 in activated LX-2 cells.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;PIP improved hepatic fibrosis via inhibiting ECM excessive deposition and inflammatory secretion. Switching STAT3 phosphorylation at Ser727 might be the","PeriodicalId":9916,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Herbal Medicines","volume":"18 3","pages":"Pages 571-584"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13390082/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148564492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Puerarin as a multifaceted anticancer agent: Mechanisms, targets, and therapeutic potential across multiple cancers","authors":"Aida Alizamir,&nbsp;Masoud Khanaghaei,&nbsp;Farshad Mirzavi,&nbsp;Ali Nokhodchi,&nbsp;Laleh Ghavami,&nbsp;Bita Taghizadeh","doi":"10.1016/j.chmed.2025.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chmed.2025.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Puerarin (Pue), a key isoflavone from <em>Pueraria lobata</em>, has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, neurodegenerative, metabolic, and hepatic diseases. Recent studies indicate its anticancer potential across various malignancies. This review explores the current literature on Pue’s anticancer activities, mechanisms of action, and molecular targets. Preclinical <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> studies suggest Pue’s effectiveness; however, challenges including standardization, selectivity, safety, and delivery hinder clinical translation. Specifically, dose optimization and rigorous standardization are needed to fully elucidate Pue’s mechanisms, particularly in hormone-dependent cancers. The development of advanced drug delivery systems, such as nanosuspensions, nanoemulsions, and nanoparticles, is essential to improve Pue’s poor water solubility and stability, and to enhance targeted delivery. Studies have shown that Pue can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and suppress metastasis in various cancer cell lines, including breast, colon, lung, and ovarian cancers. Pue’s anticancer mechanisms involve modulating multiple signaling pathways, including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3), and Wnt signaling (Wnt), and targeting key molecules such as Caspases, Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1). Pue has also been found to enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin and oxaliplatin, and to overcome drug resistance. Overall, Pue shows promise as a multifaceted anticancer agent, which merits further investigation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of Pue’s anticancer effects, emphasizing its potential to guide future cancer treatment strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9916,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Herbal Medicines","volume":"18 3","pages":"Pages 643-661"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13390012/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148564501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Innovative strategies for anti-fibrotic drugs discovery from traditional Chinese medicine","authors":"Guang Xin,&nbsp;Tao Wang,&nbsp;Qilong Zhou,&nbsp;Sanyin Zhang,&nbsp;Zeliang Wei,&nbsp;Ke Li,&nbsp;Wei Chen,&nbsp;Dan Sun,&nbsp;Shilin Chen,&nbsp;Zhaotong Cong,&nbsp;Wen Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.chmed.2025.10.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chmed.2025.10.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fibrotic diseases represent a major global health burden, with current therapies often limited by modest efficacy and substantial side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a rich yet underexplored reservoir for anti-fibrotic drug discovery, valued for its chemical diversity and extensive clinical history. Nonetheless, conventional approaches to deriving therapeutics from these multi-component formulas face significant challenges, including low tissue selectivity, limited target specificity, suboptimal scaffold optimization, and incomplete cross-scale validation. Here, we summarize recent advances in discovering TCM-derived anti-fibrotic compounds and highlight emerging strategies, including tissue-oriented active compound discovery, fibrosis-target mining, scaffold optimization guided by targets and biosynthesis, and cross-scale validation. Building on these developments, we introduce the Smart Herbal-based Innovation and Translational Engine (SHINE), an intelligent discovery platform that prioritizes promising herbal candidates using modern computational and experimental methods; innovative development of optimized compounds or novel derivatives; a translational pipeline to unite preclinical findings and clinical validation; and a closed-loop feedback system where real-world evidence continuously informs drug repositioning and secondary development. SHINE bridges TCM principles with state-of-the-art drug discovery technologies, enabling the development of well-defined, mechanism-based small-molecule candidates from classical formulas. By integrating empirical herbal knowledge with advanced multi-omics, artificial intelligence, and biosynthetic engineering, SHINE aims to deliver first-in-class anti-fibrotic therapeutics with defined targets, improved safety, and demonstrable clinical efficacy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9916,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Herbal Medicines","volume":"18 3","pages":"Pages 499-514"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13390056/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148564421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From empiricism to precision: SHINE strategy in anti-fibrotic drug discovery","authors":"Wen Huang,&nbsp;Zhaotong Cong","doi":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.05.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9916,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Herbal Medicines","volume":"18 3","pages":"Pages 491-493"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13389973/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148564352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A cross-cultural ethnobotanical assembly highlights diverse health-promoting functions of genus Panax globally","authors":"Ruyu Yao,&nbsp;Guomao Wu,&nbsp;Michael Heinrich,&nbsp;Angkhana Inta,&nbsp;Ripu Kunwar,&nbsp;Shengji Pei,&nbsp;Yuhua Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.05.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.05.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to achieve a cross-cultural consolidation of the local and traditional knowledge in order to contribute to an understanding of these knowledge systems and to guide bioprospecting on <em>Panax</em> spp.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Documentation-based taxonomic revision was performed to define the current accepted species in <em>Panax</em>. Historic uses of <em>Panax</em> spp. used in China was compiled using historical herbal literature. A cross-cultural ethnobotanical assembly was performed to compile the traditional uses of <em>Panax</em> spp. globally. With a network-based integration, the scattered local and traditional knowledge was consolidated and evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Currently, the genus <em>Panax</em> comprises 14 accepted species, mainly distributed in East Asia and eastern North America, all of which are used locally as traditional food and/or medicine. Four species are recorded in Chinese historical herbals. Eight species and one variety are used by 25 of the Chinese ethnic minorities. Beyond China, there are ten species and two varieties used traditionally in 12 countries. General health promotion functions are frequently mentioned.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In different biocultural backgrounds, the used species and usages varied greatly, and even the same species can be used differently. For the first time, this study archives a comprehensive understanding on the health benefits of global <em>Panax</em> spp. and provides solid evidence for their versatility in maintaining human health from the perspective of ethnobotany.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9916,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Herbal Medicines","volume":"18 3","pages":"Pages 701-712"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13390081/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148564428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cardiometabolic reprogramming in pulmonary arterial hypertension: Implications for right ventricular dysfunction and therapeutic strategies","authors":"Guanghui Qian,&nbsp;Peng Zhang,&nbsp;Gaurav Choudhary,&nbsp;Hongwei Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.04.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.04.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by pulmonary arterial wall remodeling, right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy, and interstitial fibrosis, ultimately culminating in RV failure. The latter is the strong predictor of mortality in PAH. While current therapies primarily target the pulmonary vasculature and reduce RV afterload, they do not directly address the metabolic and structural maladaptation of the RV. Emerging evidence indicates that cardiometabolic reprogramming occurs in the RV of PAH patients, encompassing dysregulated glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. These metabolic dysregulations are mirrored in preclinical models, where cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts exhibit reduced fatty acid oxidation, enhanced glycolysis, and altered mitochondrial function. Such alterations may promote cardiomyocyte lipotoxicity, impair contractile efficiency, disrupt endothelial barrier integrity, facilitate monocyte recruitment, and drive fibroblast proliferation and activation, collectively contributing to RV inflammation, fibrosis, and functional decline. Understanding these cell-specific metabolic reprogramming is critical, as they may represent both compensatory and pathogenic mechanisms during the progression from RV adaptation to maladaptation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in elucidating metabolic dysregulation in the RV of PAH patients and relevant <em>in vivo</em> and <em>in vitro</em> models. The therapeutic potential of targeting these pathways using metabolic modulators, small molecules, and natural products is also discussed, with the goal of developing RV-directed therapies that complement existing PAH treatments and improve patient outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9916,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Herbal Medicines","volume":"18 3","pages":"Pages 515-527"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13390068/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148564198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combatting pulmonary fibrosis with Astragalus membranaceus: A review of active components and multifaceted mechanisms","authors":"Xiujuan Sun,&nbsp;Jingwen Zhao,&nbsp;Yiteng Ma,&nbsp;Zhihao Kong,&nbsp;Guangyue Su","doi":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.04.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chmed.2026.04.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic progressive lung disease characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and loss of lung function. Treatment options are limited and can only delay disease progression, making the development of novel therapeutic strategies crucial. <em>Astragalus membranaceus</em> (AM), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb renowned for its lung-tonifying and immunomodulatory properties, contains bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides. These components exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, and immunoregulatory activities, demonstrating therapeutic potential in PF. This review systematically elucidates the complex pathogenesis of PF, comprehensively summarizes the principal chemical constituents of AM, and highlights its multi-targeted anti-fibrotic mechanisms of action. Research demonstrates that AM and its bioactive constituents exert anti-fibrotic effects through multiple pharmacological actions: inhibiting fibroblast activation, reversing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), modulating immune-inflammatory responses, protecting alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), and ameliorating mitochondrial function. Through the synergistic interaction of its multiple components and multi-targeted effects, AM demonstrates significant advantages in combating PF. This review provides a comprehensive theoretical basis for deepening the understanding of AM anti-fibrotic mechanisms and offers practical guidance for developing novel anti-fibrotic agents based on traditional Chinese medicine and its bioactive constituents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9916,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Herbal Medicines","volume":"18 3","pages":"Pages 541-554"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13389998/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148564360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}