Anisomeles indica, traditional medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is utilized in ethnomedicine for the treatment of rheumatism, colds and fevers, as well as skin infections. Currently, the research about A. indica is relatively limited. In this review, a systematic summary of domestic and international literature has been done, providing a comprehensive review of its phytomorphological characteristics, herbalogical textual research, botanical identification, pharmacological activities, and clinical applications. Herbalogical studies confirm that the original plant should be designated as Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze. It exhibits morphological similarities to Pogostemon cablin and Siegesbeckia orientalis, and its nomenclature is easily confused with “Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata)”. The use of local folk medicinal varieties requires standardization. The whole herb of A. indica is employed medicinally, possessing the properties of dispelling wind, releasing the exterior, regulating “qi” and alleviating pain. It demonstrates significant pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticancer, and antibacterial activities. Clinically, both the single herb and compound preparations are used to treat series diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, common cold, and eczema. Furthermore, this review discusses the potential prospects for the development of A. indica, aiming to provide a reference for further research and its clinical application.

Objective To identify and analyze the expression of R2R3-MYB transcription factor family of Bupleurum chinense, and provide a theoretical basis for analyzing the secondary metabolic regulation mechanism of B. chinense under salt stress. Methods All R2R3-MYB genes of B. chinense were screened and identified by homologous alignment and hidden Markov model. Their physical and chemical properties, phylogenetic relationship, conserved domains, gene structure, cis-acting elements and chromosome distribution were systematically analyzed, and their expression patterns under 200 mmol/L salt stress were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing. Results A total of 116 R2R3-MYB transcription factors were identified in the B. chinense genome, all of which were hydrophilic nuclear localization proteins, with only two members containing transmembrane domains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that they clustered into 23 subfamilies, mainly distributed in K, P, W, and X subfamilies. The promoters contained four types of cis-acting elements, including light response, hormone response, stress response, and development regulation, among which light response elements accounted for the highest proportion. There were 42 pairs of gene duplication events, including three tandem duplications and 39 fragment duplications. The salt stress expression profile revealed that 21 genes responded significantly, and they were classified into early response type, mid-term continuous type, and late inhibition type according to the expression patterns. Conclusion This study conducted a genome-wide identification, evolutionary analysis and salt stress expression analysis of the R2R3-MYB gene family in B. chinense. It was initially determined that BcMYB59 and BcMYB116, due to their unique structural features and strong stress response, are excellent candidate genes for understanding the salt stress response mechanism and potential transmembrane signal perception function of B. chinense.

Objective This study aimed to establish an evaluation system for screening transdermal penetration enhancers suitable for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formulations and to apply it to the optimization of a composite penetration enhancer for Erxian Decoction (EXD, 二仙汤). Methods Menthol, azone, and borneol were selected as penetration enhancers, and an L₉(3³) orthogonal design was employed. The 48 h cumulative permeation per unit area (Q₄₈), steady-state flux (J_ss), and enhancement ratio (ER) of ten marker components (phellodendrine, mangiferin, ferulic acid, berberine, curculigine, epimedin A1, epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, icariin) were measured. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed separately for Q₄₈ and J_ss datasets to reduce dimensionality, while fingerprint similarity (S) was incorporated as a quality constraint. The PCA scores and S were weighted and integrated via the satisfaction function to calculate the comprehensive satisfaction (D). With D as the response value, range analysis and analysis of variance were performed to screen the optimal formulation of penetration enhancers. Results The optimal compound penetration enhancer formulation was identified as 2% menthol combined with 1% azone. Validation studies showed that this formulation exhibited excellent penetration-enhancing effect, while the fingerprint similarity S remained above 0.9, achieving both “high-efficiency penetration enhancement” and “quality fidelity”. Conclusion The constructed “PCA dimension reduction-fingerprint constraint-satisfaction function integration” system can effectively solve the problems of information redundancy and decision contradiction in multi-index optimization, providing a referable research paradigm for screening composite penetration enhancers of TCM compound prescriptions.

Objective To reveal the mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula (左归降糖解郁方, ZGF) to improve synaptic loss of hippocampal neuron based on triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2)/complement component 1q (C1q) signaling-mediated microglial cell synaptic pruning in diabetes-related depression (DD) rats. Methods The model of DD rats was established and rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, TREM2 inhibitor (IN1, 1.5 μg/kg) group, TREM2 agonist (AL002, 2 μg/kg) group, positive drug (metformin 0.18 g/kg+ fluoxetine 1.8 mg/kg) group and ZGF (10.26 g/kg) group. Primary microglia and hippocampal neurons from SD rats were cultured separately. An in vitro co-culture cell model simulating the DD environment was constructed by treating with 150 mmol/L high glucose combined with 200 μmol/L corticosterone, control group, model group, TREM2 inhibitor (IN1, 2 μmol/L) group, TREM2 agonist (AL002, 5 μmol/L) group, positive drug (10% positive drug-containing serum) group and ZGF (10% ZGF-containing serum) group were set up. Depression-like behavior was evaluated by open field, forced swimming and sucrose preference test. Synaptic loss of hippocampal neuron was observed by Golgi staining. Morphology and structure of microglia and hippocampal neuron was observed by cell imaging analysis. Nissl’s staining was used to observe synaptic loss of hippocampal neuron. The protein expressions of TREM2 and C1q in rat hippocampal microglia or in vitro microglia, and ostsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) in rat hippocampal neurons or in vitro hippocampal neurons were detected by immunofluorescence. The expressions of TREM2 protein in hippocampal tissue or in vitro microglia were detected by Western blotting. Results The animal experiment results showed that ZGF significantly increased the total activity distance and sugar water preference rate of rats in open field experiment (P < 0.01), reduced forced swimming immobility time (P < 0.01), up-regulated TREM2 expression in hippocampal microglia (P < 0.01), and inhibited C1q/PSD95 signal mediated excessive pruning of microglial synapses, thereby improving synaptic loss in rat hippocampal neurons (P < 0.05, 0.01). The results of cell experiments showed that the serum containing ZGF could significantly up-regulate TREM2 expression and inhibit C1q/PSD95 signal mediated synaptic pruning in microglia, thereby reversing synaptic loss in hippocampal neurons (P < 0.05, 0.01). Conclusion ZGF effectively mitigate the synaptic loss of hippocampal neuron and thereby alleviate depressive behavior in rats, the mechanism of which might be related to the regulation of excessive synaptic pruning of microglia mediated by TREM2/C1q signaling.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by central obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. At its core, MetS involves dysfunction of multi-organ metabolic networks, whereas current single-target pharmacological strategies are insufficient to address its complexity. Based on the emerging recognition of the gut microbiota as a central hub of metabolic regulation, this study systematically reviews the mechanisms of disrupted inter-organ communication in MetS mediated through the gut-liver axis, gut-brain axis, gut-adipose axis, and gut-cardiovascular axis. Phytochemicals derived from traditional Chinese medicine can exert multi-target interventions on key pathological processes, including insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, through four interconnected mechanisms: remodeling gut microbial composition, regulating microbial metabolites, restoring intestinal barrier integrity, and modulating host signaling pathways. By synthesizing evidence on representative traditional Chinese medicines, this study further distills a shared “multi-component-microbiome-multi-target” framework of action. This framework provides a scientific basis for the development of a novel theoretical paradigm for the systemic management of MetS and highlights potential directions for future practice. Looking ahead, the integration of multi-omics approaches and computational modeling is expected to facilitate the exploration of precision nutrition interventions and drug development based on this framework.

Gastrodia elata is a precious traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with the effects of calming wind to relieve convulsion and suppressing liver yang, and it is mainly used for the treatment of diseases of nervous and cardiovascular-cerebrovascular systems. Through retrieval and statistics, 171 TCM prescriptions containing G. elata were identified, involving 392 TCMs. These herbs are mostly warm or cold in nature, predominantly bitter and pungent in flavor, and their meridian tropism is mainly attributed to the liver, spleen and heart meridians. Data analysis identified seven Chinese medicinal combinations and four categories of core drugs. There are ten dosage forms of the preparations, with pills and capsules as the main types. Their core efficacies focus on wind syndrome, blood stasis syndrome and deficiency syndrome, and they are indicated for stroke, rheumatic arthralgia and certain pediatric diseases. Contraindications remain unclear for 52% of TCM prescriptions containing G. elata, and some explicitly state that they are forbidden for pregnant women, children and other populations. By systematically analyzing the marketed medicinal products containing G. elata, this study constructs a complete evidence chain of “chemical components-pharmacological effects-formulation rules-clinical positioning”, which provides a scientific reference for the rational clinical application, in-depth research and development of G. elata, and also offers valuable insights for the modernization of TCM.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which ginsenoside Rb₃ (Rb₃) inhibits lipid accumulation in macrophages. Methods Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) was used to induce lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs) model in murine RAW264.7 macrophages. After Rb₃ intervention, intracellular lipid accumulation was evaluated by oil red O staining and BODIPY-based neutral lipid fluorescence staining. Changes in lipid composition were analyzed using untargeted lipidomics. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were performed in parallel, followed by integrative multi-omics bioinformatic analysis. Molecular docking was conducted using Autodock to predict the binding potential between Rb₃ and candidate target molecules identified from multi-omics intersections. The expression levels of key genes and proteins were validated by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell thermal shift assay (CETSA) was employed to evaluate the binding of Rb₃ to complement component 5a receptor 1 (C5ar1) and cluster of differentiation 36 antigen (Cd36) targets. Results A lipid-enriched LAMs model was successfully established. Within a non-cytotoxic concentration range, Rb₃ dose-dependently suppressed intracellular lipid accumulation (P < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001). Lipidomics revealed a marked elevation of triglycerides accompanied by a reduction in glycerophospholipids in model group, whereas Rb₃ treatment significantly reduced triglyceride levels and restored glycerophospholipids, with pathway enrichment mainly involving glycerophospholipid metabolism. Transcriptomic analysis identified 1 291 differentially expressed genes, which were significantly enriched in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway. Proteomic analysis detected 254 differentially expressed proteins, with enrichment in pathways including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-related signaling. Integrative multi-omics analysis identified six overlapping target molecules, including Cd36, C5ar1 and adenosine triphosphate binding cassette transporter G1 (Abcg1). Molecular docking predicted favorable binding affinities between Rb₃ and Cd36, C5ar1, Abcg1. CETSA results demonstrated that Rb₃ significantly protected Cd36 and C5ar1 proteins from temperature-dependent degradation, providing further evidence of direct binding between Rb₃ and these targets. qRT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that Rb₃ significantly down-regulated the expressions of Cd36 and C5ar1 in LAMs (P < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001), while up-regulated the expressions of PPARγ, Abca1 and Abcg1 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Rb₃ activates PPAR signaling pathway and regulates glycerophospholipid metabolism, targeting Cd36 and C5ar1 to inhibit their mediated lipid uptake and promote Abca1 and Abcg1 mediated lipid efflux, regulating the intracellular levels of triglycerides and glycerophospholipids, thereby exerting an inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation in macrophages.

Objective To find out the optimal light quality for plant growth and bioactive metabolites accumulation of Angelica sinensis, and provide references for regulating the growth and metabolites product accumulation of A. sinensis. Methods The A. sinensis plants grown in pots were exposed to three different light qualities (red, blue, and infrared light) with white light as the control (CK), the growth characteristics of plants, contents of main bioactive metabolites, and expression level of key genes were determined. Results There were significant differences in the growth characteristics, main bioactive metabolites accumulation, and key genes expression of A. sinensis under different light qualities. Compared with the CK, blue light significantly promoted plant height, root length, chlorophyll content, and stomatal aperture; red light and infrared light could promote some growth parameters (e.g., plant height and aerial parts dry weight) to some extent; however, the blue, red, or infrared light had no significant effect on biomass accumulation. Red light significantly promoted soluble sugar accumulation, blue light significantly promoted total flavonoids accumulation, while infrared light significantly promoted accumulation of ferulic acid, ligustilide and total phenolics as well as in vitro antioxidant capacity. The three light qualities could promote the expression levels of almost genes related to the biosynthesis of main bioactive metabolites (i.e., ferulic acid, flavonoids, volatile oils, and polysaccharides); for example, the caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene involved in ferulic acid biosynthesis showed the highest upregulation under blue light, the chalcone isomerase 2 (CHI2) gene involved in flavonoid biosynthesis was significantly upregulated under infrared light; and the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS) gene involved in volatile oil biosynthesis was significantly upregulated under red light. Conclusion Monochromatic light qualities (blue, red, and infrared light) presented specific effects on the growth and main bioactive metabolites accumulation in A. sinensis, thus, the regulatory effect of combined lights on the growth and metabolites accumulation requires further study.

Insomnia disorder, a highly prevalent and often chronic sleep disorder globally, exhibits a continuously rising incidence rate. It is frequently comorbid with various complications such as anxiety and depression, severely impacting patients’ physical and mental health as well as social functioning. Current treatment strategies for insomnia are primarily based on non-pharmacological interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy, while pharmacological interventions are required when significant sleep dysfunction and accompanying symptoms are present. However, existing medications are associated with limitations including addiction potential and rebound insomnia upon discontinuation, and no specific curative drugs targeting the root cause of insomnia is currently available. Modern medical research suggests that the pathogenesis of insomnia involves multifactorial interactions, including neurotransmitter imbalances, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction, hormonal disturbances, and abnormal expression of circadian clock genes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), leveraging its multi-mechanism, multi-pathway, and multi-target advantages, demonstrates unique potential in improving core symptoms of insomnia, delaying disease progression, reducing relapse risk, and synergistically ameliorating comorbid conditions. Nevertheless, existing studies still lack intuitive elucidation of the pathogenesis of insomnia and its interactive relationships, and there is particularly limited research systematically correlating and integrating these mechanisms with TCM regulatory effects and signaling pathways. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews and analyzes database literature to summarize the pathogenesis of insomnia and TCM prevention and treatment research, aiming to provide scientific evidence and theoretical support for the clinical application of TCM in treating insomnia disorder.

Objective To achieve precise discrimination between Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, AFI) and Zhiqiao (Aurantii Fructus, AF), as well as to analyze samples from different geographical origins, using the maximum information entropy principle combined with total statistical moment analysis and entropy-weighted TOPSIS method, thereby providing a scientific basis for their rational clinical application. Methods The UPLC fingerprint conditions for 15 batches of AFI and 15 batches of AF were optimized based on the maximum information entropy principle. Total statistical moment analysis was employed to compare the two, combined with multi-component quantification and entropy-weighted TOPSIS for systematic evaluation, the key chemical components that distinguish the two were obtained, and comprehensive scores were calculated to classify AFI, AF, and samples from different origins. Results Under the maximum information entropy principle, the optimal UPLC fingerprint conditions for AFI and AF were determined at a detection wavelength of 245 nm. Total statistical moment parameters revealed significant differences in overall chemical composition between AFI and AF (P < 0.05), with the total chemical content of AFI being 2.26 times higher than that of AF. Entropy-weighted TOPSIS analysis ranked the contribution weights (W_j) of nine quantified components in descending order: neohesperidin > naringenin > hesperidin > eriocitrin > tangeretin > synephrine > narirutin > naringin > nobiletin. AFI samples generally scored higher than AF, with those from Ji’an (Jiangxi) ranking highest among AFI and those from Changde (Hunan) ranking highest among AF. Conclusion The established method effectively distinguishes AFI from AF with high specificity and demonstrates robust discriminative capability for samples of different geographical origins. Comprehensive scores showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05), providing an objective basis for the precise application of these medicinal materials.