Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs

Differential analysis of components in Pueraria lobata from different growth years based on metabolomics and proteomics

WEI Pinghui, ZHANG Huan, CHEN Kai, ZHAO Jian, XU Bing, WU Bo, HE Shaolang, SHANG Xiaohong, SHI Lin

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(17): 6935-6945.

Objective To investigate the differential components existing in the roots of Puerariae lobata, a plant with both medicinal and edible properties, at growth stages of one-year, biennial and three-year-old. Methods By comprehensively applying metabolomics and label-free quantitative proteomics, a comparative analysis was conducted of metabolite accumulation dynamics and protein expression profiles in samples from different growth years. Results Metabolic profiling revealed significant differences in flavonoid composition across developmental stages. Comparative analysis identified 236 significantly differentially accumulated metabolites between one-year-old and two-year-old plants, of which 205 were up-accumulated and 31 down-accumulated; between two-year-old and three-year-old plants, the number decreased markedly to 25 differentially accumulated metabolites (14 up-accumulated, 11 down-accumulated); and between one-year-old and three-year-old plants, 83 differentially accumulated metabolites were detected (70 up-accumulated, 13 down-accumulated). Subsequent compound classification, correlation analysis, and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of these metabolites identified five pathways significantly enriched in flavonoid-related metabolism. Parallel proteomic profiling yielded 2 764 significantly differentially expressed proteins (FC ≥ 1.5 or ≤ 0.67, P < 0.05). Across the three pairwise comparisons, upregulated proteins numbered 1 565, 1 437, and 193, respectively, while downregulated proteins totaled 931, 817, and 260, respectively. Functional annotation via gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses further demonstrated significant enrichment of these proteins in biological processes and pathways central to flavonoid biosynthesis, pyruvate metabolism, and amino acid biosynthesis. Conclusion Metabolite accumulation and proteomic variations across different growth years of P. lobata are predominantly enriched in the biosynthetic pathways of phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and other plant secondary metabolites. Flavonoid constituents from P. lobata are closely associated with pharmacological activities including anti&8209;inflammatory, lipid&8209;regulating and hypoglycemic effects.This study establishes a foundational framework for both the rational development and utilization of P. lobata resources and the mechanistic understanding of its growth and developmental regulation at the molecular level.

Quality evaluation of Lavandula angustifolia from different origins based on fingerprint combined with multi-component quantification and chemical pattern recognition

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(17): 6946-6954.

Objective To establish the HPLC fingerprint and multi-component content determination method of Lavandula angustifolia from different origins, and to evaluate the quality of L. angustifolia medicinal materials from different origins by combining chemical pattern recognition methods, providing a basis for further research and development. Methods A Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C₁₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) was used, with acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid solution as the mobile phase, and gradient elution. The detection wavelength was 350 nm, the column temperature was 30 ℃, the flow rate was 0.6 mL/min, and the injection volume was 10 μL. The HPLC fingerprint of L. angustifolia from Xinjiang was established and the similarity was analyzed. At the same time, the chemical components were identified by comparison with reference substances and quantitatively determined. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed using Origin2025b, IBM SPSS Statistics 27 and SIMCA 14.1 software to evaluate the quality of L. angustifolia medicinal materials from different origins and screen the quality difference markers. Results The HPLC fingerprint chromatograms of L.angustifolia from different regions in Xinjiang were established. A total of 14 common chromatographic peaks were identified, and five components were recognized: Chlorogenic acid (peak 2), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (peak 8), rosmarinic acid (peak 12), luteolin (peak 13), and apigenin (peak 14).The similarity of 15 batches of samples was all above 0.9. HCA divided 15 batches of L. angustifolia into three categories. PCA extracted four principal components, with a cumulative contribution rate of 93.310%. PCA results showed that batch YC23072402 from Huocheng, Xinjiang, had the best quality. OPLS-DA identified seven quality difference markers, namely luteolin, rosmarinic acid and apigenin, in L. angustifolia samples. The contents of luteolin, rosmarinic acid and apigenin in L. angustifolia were 0.018—0.230, 0.380—3.095 and 0.144—0.481 mg/g respectively. Conclusion The HPLC fingerprint and multi-component content determination method for L. angustifolia from different origins is simple, accurate, and has good repeatability. It can be used for the quality evaluation of L. angustifolia from Xinjiang and provide a basis for its quality control.

Quality difference evaluation of multi-index quantitative determination combined with chemometrics and TOPSIS-GRA model of Limonium bicolor from different producing areas

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(17): 6955-6964.

Objective To establish a multi-index quantitative determination method for Limonium bicolor from different habitats, and to evaluate the quality of L. bicolor from different habitats by combining chemometrics and integratedTOPSIS-GRA method. Methods HPLC was performed on a Prep Scalar C₁₈ (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column. Detection wavelength: 273, 254, 360 and 210 nm; acetonitrile-0.2% phosphoric acid was used as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The injection volume was 10 μL, the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and the column temperature was 30 ℃. The contents of gallic acid, vanillic acid, myricitrin, eriodictyol, rutin, luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, naringenin, β-sitosterol, daucosterol in 20 batches of L. bicolor were determined simultaneously. The extractives, total ash and acid-insoluble ash of samples were examined. Utilize SPSS 26.0 and SIMCA 14.1 statistical software to perform chemometric analysis on detection data to group 20 batches of L. bicolor from different habitats, and the quality difference markers were screened, and then the TOPSIS-GRA method fusion model was constructed to sort the quality. Results The results of the established multi-index quantitative methodology were good. Under the same chromatographic conditions, gallic acid, vanillic acid, myricitrin, eriodictyol, rutin, luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, naringenin, β-sitosterol, daucosterol were effectively separated. There were differences in the content of each component. The results of chemometrics analysis showed that the clustering of 20 batches of L. bicolor was obvious, and luteolin, gallic acid, β-sitosterol, rutin, isorhamnetin, quercetin, eriodictyol and myricitrin were the dominant components of origin difference. The results of TOPSIS-GRA analysis showed that there were differences in the comprehensive relative closeness of 20 batches of samples, and the comprehensive relative closeness of S16, S18, S15, S17, S19, S20 was larger, which was 0.642 1, 0.634 2, 0.626 1, 0.614 8, 0.595 4 and 0.593 0, respectively. Conclusion The established multi-index quantitative method can reflect the quality differences of L. bicolor rutin from different habitats. The fusion model combining chemometrics with weighted TOPSIS and GRA comprehensively evaluated the quality characteristics of from different origins, which established a foundation for the quality analysis and evaluation of L. bicolor.

Quality difference evaluation of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium from different producing areas by multi-index quantitative analysis combined with chemometric CRITIC-TOPSIS method

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(17): 6965-6972.

Objective To establish a method for multi-index quantitative analysis and quality difference evaluation of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium from different producing areas. Methods A UPLC-MS/MS method was developed for simultaneous determination of saikosaponin a, saikosaponin d, saikosaponin c, saikosaponin b₂, and saikosaponin f in B. scorzonerifolium. The separation was performed with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid aqueous solution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min under gradient elution. Alcohol-soluble extractives, total ash, and acid-insoluble ash were also determined. Cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were conducted using SPSS 26.0 and SIMCA 14.1 software. The variable importance in projection (VIP) was used to identify markers contributing to quality differences. The CRITIC method was employed for objective weighting of each evaluation index, and a comprehensive quality assessment model was constructed by coupling with the TOPSIS method. Results Methodological validation results demonstrated good linearity and satisfactory accuracy for all analytes. The quantitative results showed that the contents of the five components in B. scorzonerifolium from different areas were: saikosaponin a (1.916 ± 1.338) mg/g, saikosaponin c (0.753 ± 0.445) mg/g, saikosaponin d (3.442 ± 2.351) mg/g, saikosaponin b₂ (2.083 ± 1.424) mg/g, and saikosaponin f (0.463 ± 0.322) mg/g. The amounts of alcohol-soluble extractives, total ash, and acid-insoluble ash were (29.2 ± 2.1)%,( 6.0 ± 0.6)%, and (1.2 ± 0.3)%, respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that the 10 batches of B. scorzonerifolium were clearly classified into two groups. Three quality difference markers with relatively high contribution were screened, and the order of contribution was saikosaponin d > saikosaponin b₂ > saikosaponin a. The results of the CRITIC-TOPSIS analysis indicated that samples S10 (from Bozhou, Anhui), S8 (from Longnan, Gansu), and S5 (from Dingxi, Gansu) possessed relatively superior overall quality. Conclusion There are quality differences among B. scorzonerifolium samples from different producing areas. The established multi-index quantitative analysis, chemometrics, and CRITIC-TOPSIS method provide an experimental basis for improving the quality evaluation system of B. scorzonerifolium.

Research progress on prescription and medication patterns and pharmacological mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine for colorectal cancer cachexia based on theory of reinforcing healthy qi and dispelling pathogen

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(17): 6973-6984.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) cachexia is a common wasting syndrome in patients with advanced CRC. It is mainly characterized by progressive skeletal muscle wasting, lipolysis, systemic inflammatory response, and metabolic and immune dysregulation, which seriously impair patients’quality of life, treatment tolerance, and prognosis. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this disease is generally classified into the category of “consumptive disease”, with its core pathogenesis characterized by “deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality” and “deficiency and excess inclusiofuzhengquxie”. Reinforcing healthy qi and dispelling pathogen are regarded as the principal therapeutic principles. By retrieving relevant domestic and international literature, this review systematically summarizes the pathogenesis of CRC cachexia, the regularity of syndrome differentiation and treatment in TCM, and the characteristics of the Application of prescriptions and drugs. Furthermore, it elucidates the pharmacological mechanisms by which active ingredients and Chinese herbal formulas intervene in cachexia through regulating inflammatory networks, improving skeletal muscle and adipose tissue metabolism, protecting mitochondrial function, and reshaping the immune microenvironment. Specifically, “reinforcing healthy qi” corresponds to the improvement of nutritional metabolism, protection of skeletal muscle, and regulation of immune function, whereas “dispelling pathogen” corresponds to the inhibition of inflammation, remodeling of the tumor microenvironment, and blockade of abnormal catabolism, thereby constructing a correlation between TCM therapeutic principles and the inflammation-metabolism-immunity regulatory network.

Key technical bottlenecks in process scale-up of traditional Chinese medicine dry granulation and application of multi-scale digital modeling

GUAN Yongmei, ZHAO Zibo, LIU Leling, YANG Ming, LI Nuorou, YI Xiu, ZANG Zhenzhong

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(17): 6985-6997.

Process scale-up is a critical step in the transition of pharmaceutical preparations from research and development to industrial production. Dry granulation, as a key technology for forming traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) solid dosage forms, offers advantages such as a short process flow, minimal impact on active ingredients, high efficiency, and energy savings. However, its process scale-up faces numerous challenges. This article reviews the key technical bottlenecks in the process scale-up of TCM dry granulation, including critical process parameters, thermodynamic effects of the feeding system and equipment, and critical material attributes. The evolution of scale-up strategies is summarized from perspectives of methodological support and strategic evolution, tracing the progression from traditional empirical scale-up to digital modeling-driven multi-scale intelligent scale-up. Among these, gray-box hybrid modeling, population balance model-based integrated process simulation, and process analytical technology-driven closed-loop feedback control offer new approaches to address nonlinear issues during scale-up. In the future, integrating physical fingerprint with digital twin technology to establish a cross-scale scale-up framework will promote the transformation of process development from “experience-driven” to “model-driven” paradigms, thereby facilitating the strategic upgrade of TCM pharmaceutical manufacturing toward intelligent manufacturing.

Historical origins, current industrial status, and development strategies of Dendrobii Caulis

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(17): 6998-7009.

Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis) has the effects of nourishing the stomach, promoting fluid production, and nourishing yin to clear heat. With its significant characteristics of being both a medicinal and food resource, its industrial chain spans multiple sectors including medicinal herbs, food, health products, daily chemicals, and cultural tourism wellness. It holds important strategic value in promoting the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine, fostering regional economic development, and driving rural revitalization. Although the industry has currently reached a scale of billions, it still faces practical challenges such as an incomplete supply system for authentic medicinal herbs, a singular product structure and insufficient deep-processing capabilities, weak fundamental and applied research, limited influence of regional public brands, and inadequate cultural empowerment. This study systematically reviews the original species of Dendrobii Caulis, resource distribution patterns, industrial status, and research progress from three dimensions—historical origins, current industrial conditions, and development strategies. It conducts an in-depth analysis of developmental bottlenecks, drawing on exemplary practices such as the protection and high-end development of “Mihu” germplasm resources in Huoshan, Anhui, large-scale cultivation of “Purple-Skin Dendrobii Caulis” in Longling, Yunnan, and rock wall near-wild cultivation in Longhu mountain, Jiangxi. Based on these cases, it proposes strategies including strengthening standardized base construction, improving comprehensive quality control systems, deepening technology-driven innovation, diversifying product pathways, shaping regional specialty brands, and promoting integrated development across primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. These measures aim to achieve a win-win scenario of ecological and economic benefits for Dendrobii Caulis industry, providing theoretical references and practical pathways for serving the inheritance, innovation of traditional Chinese medicine, and comprehensive rural revitalization.

Research progress on mechanisms and clinical translation of Pini Pollen for intervening in metabolic diseases

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(17): 7010-7022.

Songhuafen (Pini Pollen), a traditional medicinal and edible material, is rich in bioactive constituents such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, sterols, and unsaturated fatty acids. It may exert potential effects on diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, and diabetes-related chronic wounds by regulating glucolipid metabolism, insulin signaling, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, gut microbiota, and intestinal barrier function. Different processing methods markedly influence active component release and clinical applicability: wall-breaking improves the dissolution of internal hydrophilic and lipophilic components, fermentation treatment may alter the polyphenol and metabolite profiles through microbial transformation, sulfation can enhance the hypoglycemic and immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides, and supercritical CO₂ extraction is more suitable for enriching lipophilic fractions. Existing clinical evidence suggests potential auxiliary benefits in glucose-reducing, lipid regulation, and wound healing related to diabetic complications. However, most studies are limited by small sample sizes, insufficient randomization, blinding, dose standardization and long-term safety evaluation, and heterogeneity caused by differences in raw materials and preparation technologies. Future studies should clarify key quality markers, standardize processing technologies, establish material basis and relationships among components, exposure, and effects, and validate clinical efficacy and safety through rigorously designed, large-scale randomized controlled trials. These efforts promote the transition of Pini Pollen from empirical use to evidence-based and precision-oriented clinical application.

Mechanism and research progress of Qishen Yiqi Dropping Pills in treatment of coronary heart disease

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(17): 7023-7032.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is characterized by a high incidence rate and a substantial disease burden. Although conventional Western medicine can effectively manage cardiovascular risk factors and achieve coronary revascularization, it often fails to adequately address microcirculation disturbance, residual inflammatory risk, and the lack of holistic systemic regulation. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), CHD falls under the categories of “Xiongbi” (chest obstruction) and “Xintong” (cardiac pain), with “qi deficiency and blood stasis” identified as the core pathogenesis. This concept aligns closely with the modern pathological network of “vascular injury-inflammatory immune response-metabolic dysregulation”. Qishen Yiqi Dripping Pills (芪参益气滴丸, QSYQ), a Chinese patent medicine composed of Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma), and Jiangxiang (Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum), strictly adheres to the therapeutic principle of supplementing qi and activating blood, offering distinct advantages in multi-target systemic regulation. Centered on the theme of systemic regulation and precise intervention, this review first elucidates the scientific connotation of qi deficiency and blood stasis and maps its correlation with modern pathological networks. It then establishes a three-tiered mechanistic framework spanning “molecular events-signaling pathways-biological effects” to systematically decode the synergistic regulatory networks of QSYQ in anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis, angiogenesis promotion, and energy metabolism optimization. Furthermore, a hierarchical clinical evidence evaluation system is constructed to summarize the therapeutic value of QSYQ in alleviating symptoms, improving cardiac function, enhancing long-term prognosis, and managing special patient populations. Future research should leverage multi-omics technologies and real-world evidence studies to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action. Additionally, high-quality evidence-based studies should be conducted to standardize evaluation criteria and optimize individualized medication regimens, ultimately promoting the standardized clinical application of QSYQ in the integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment of coronary heart disease.

Exploring theoretical connotation of “potential” in bidirectional regulatory effects of traditional Chinese medicine based on “guiding according to trends”

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(17): 7033-7045.

The phenomenon of “bidirectional regulation” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as one of its characteristic therapeutic effects, embodies the treatment principle of “achieving equilibrium as the therapeutic goal”. However, the underlying dynamic mechanism governing the selection of regulatory direction cannot be adequately explained through the static “component-target” paradigm of modern pharmacology or the empirical induction of traditional “pattern-effect” relationships. To address this theoretical bottleneck, this study, grounded in the intrinsic logic of TCM thinking, introduces and elaborates on the theoretical concept of “dynamic tendency”, constructing a dynamic explanatory framework that organically integrates “body state”, “medicinal properties”, and “effect direction”. This study proposes the basic approach of “discerning the dynamic tendency to clarify the mechanism, and following the dynamic tendency to regulate accordingly”. It innovatively defines three core categories—“disease tendency”, “tendency towards homeostasis”, and “herbal tendency” and, based on the principle of “guiding according to the tendency”, constructs a ternary dynamic response model of “disease tendency-tendency towards homeostasis-herbal tendency”. This model redefines the essence of bidirectional regulation in TCM as follows: within the context of a specific “disease tendency”, the body's inherent self-balancing trend—the “homeostatic tendency” is activated yet lacks the conditions to restore equilibrium. The “herbal tendency”, as an exogenous intervention with a consistent directional property, precisely coordinates with and stimulates this “homeostatic tendency”, thereby guiding the system back to dynamic balance from various states of deviation. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the bidirectional regulatory mechanisms of single herbs (such as Dahuang-Cijili), herb pairs (such as Chaihu-Huangqin), and compound formulas (such as Guizhi Tang) through the lens of the “disease tendency-homeostatic tendency-herbal tendency” framework. Extending the “tendency” theory to the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment, this study aims to provide a new perspective and theoretical foundation for deepening TCM clinical thinking from “pattern differentiation” toward “tendency differentiation and mechanism discernment”, and from “formula selection” toward “precise tendency alignment”. This is intended to promote the modern interpretation and development of “tendency-based” theory in TCM.