Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs

Advances in application of single-cell transcriptomics to studies of arthritis pathogenesis and treatment with traditional Chinese medicine

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(16): 6578-6588.

The incidence of arthritis has steadily increased in recent years, accompanied by complex pathological changes. Arthritis is among the leading causes of disability worldwide. However, research on its pathogenesis and therapeutic targets remains insufficient, necessitating novel approaches to elucidate disease mechanisms. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables not only the construction of cellular atlases of joint tissues but also the identification of key cell subpopulations and molecular targets driving disease progression, thereby resolving gene expression heterogeneity at the single-cell level. Increasingly applied in arthritis research, scRNA-seq offers new avenues for exploring pathogenesis and developing therapeutic targets. This review systematically summarizes the technical advantages of scRNA-seq, discusses its application prospects and challenges in arthritis pathogenesis and research on treatment with traditional Chinese medicine, and provides a reference for in-depth mechanistic studies and the development of novel Chinese herbal therapeutics.

Research progress on mechanism and application of Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma in prevention and treatment of high altitude disease

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(16): 6589-6600.

High altitude disease (HAD) refers to disorders triggered by specific environmental factors such as low oxygen levels, low atmospheric pressure, cold and dry conditions, and strong ultraviolet radiation. Its pathogenesis is complex and often linked to qi deficiency and blood stasis. Hongjingtian (Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma), a renowned traditional Chinese medicinal herb, contains diverse active ingredients including phenylethanoid glycosides, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, volatile oils, organic acids and other active components. It has the effects of nourishing qi, promoting blood circulation, clearing meridians and relieving asthma, exhibiting multiple biological effects in prevention and treatment of HAD. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma and its active ingredients play a preventive and therapeutic role in HAD through anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, anti-fatigue, regulation of programmed cell death, improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism, and intestinal flora regulation. This review summarizes the mechanisms and applications of Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma and its active ingredients in prevention and treatment of HAD in recent years, providing a reference for clinical research on Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma in treatment of HAD.

Research progress on chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, clinical applications and adverse reactions of Indigo Naturalis

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(16): 6601-6615.

Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) is a dried powder, lump, or granule prepared from the leaves or stems and leaves of Baphicacanthus cusia, Polygonum tinctorium or Isatis indigotica. Indigo Naturalis contains inorganic components such as calcium carbonate and silicon dioxide, as well as organic components such as alkaloids, organic acids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, steroids, etc. Indigo Naturalis has anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory effects. Indigo Naturalis is clinically used for ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, acute promyelocytic leukemia, atopic dermatitis, etc. Long-term and excessive consumption of Indigo Naturalis can cause toxic side effects such as liver damage, pulmonary arterial hypertension, acute colitis, intussusception, and kidney damage. This article reviews the research progress in the chemical composition, pharmacological effects, clinical applications, and toxic side effects of Indigo Naturalis, providing a reference for the in-depth research and development of Indigo Naturalis.

Application of plant-derived nanovesicles in brain diseases: A component-structure theory perspective

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(16): 6616-6631.

The treatment of brain diseases is largely hindered by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which limits drug delivery to the brain and contributes to nonspecific distribution and immune clearance. Although synthetic nanocarriers can improve drug pharmacokinetics, their long-term stability and biosafety remain uncertain. Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) have emerged as promising therapeutic and delivery platforms owing to their natural lipid bilayers, good biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, scalability, and BBB-crossing potential. Carrying lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and bioactive small molecules, PDNVs integrate delivery capability with intrinsic therapeutic activity. Component-structure theory interprets the functions of multicomponent systems through elemental structure, quantitative-ratio structure, and phase structure. From this perspective, PDNVs can be regarded as natural composite nanovesicles formed by the ordered integration of endogenous components within membrane-confined spaces. This review discusses the relationships among PDNVs composition, membrane architecture, BBB-crossing delivery, and therapeutic effects in brain diseases, and summarizes engineering strategies for functional optimization. It provides an analytical framework for the rational design, quality control, and optimization of PDNVs as potential central nervous system drug delivery platforms.

Research progress on role of gut microbiota-intestinal barrier interaction in ulcerative colitis and intervention with traditional Chinese medicine

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(16): 6632-6646.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory bowel disease. A vicious cycle driven by gut microbiota dysbiosis and disruption of the intestinal barrier is considered a key mechanism underlying its recurrent and refractory nature. Reduced microbial diversity, decreased beneficial bacteria, and increased pathogenic taxa lead to disturbances in metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan, which subsequently impair the mucus layer, tight junction proteins, and immune barrier function, further aggravating mucosal inflammation. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), core pathogenic factors such as “turbidity‑toxin theory” play central roles in UC. Guided by these principles, TCM therapies intervene through multiple approaches, including reshaping gut microbial composition, enhancing the production of beneficial metabolites, and upregulating tight junction proteins. These actions contribute to breaking the aforementioned vicious cycle. This review systematically summarizes the interactions between gut microbiota and the intestinal barrier in UC, as well as the theoretical basis and modern biological mechanisms by which TCM exerts therapeutic effects. The findings provide a theoretical reference for the application of TCM in UC management and highlight its potential clinical value.

Advances in toxicity risk control and modern research of highly toxic traditional Chinese medicinal materials

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(16): 6647-6660.

The toxicity of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), along with the four natures and five flavors, ascending, descending, floating, and sinking, and channel tropism, belongs to the category of pharmacological theory and together constitutes the fundamental principles guiding clinical TCM practices. However, the complex composition of highly toxic medicinal materials makes it difficult to fully elucidate their toxic components and mechanisms of action. Additionally, the diversity of clinical medication regimens and significant individual differences pose considerable challenges to related research. Based on the characteristics of highly toxic medicinal materials, this study systematically reviews the highly toxic medicinal materials included in the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. By integrating herbal textual research with modern pharmacological studies, this paper provides an in-depth analysis from multiple perspectives, including common toxic components and pathways, the bidirectional relationship between toxicity and efficacy, and strategies for reducing toxicity while preserving efficacy.Furthermore, it reviews the current application of modern analytical detection techniques in the quality control of these medicinal materials and discusses other potentially toxic substances in TCMs along with risk management strategies. This review aims to serve as a reference for promoting safe and rational clinical use of highly toxic medicinal materials and strengthening the prevention and control of toxicity risks.

A new labdane-type diterpenoid from branches and leaves of Aphanamixis polystachya

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(15): 5789-5798.

Objective To study chemical constituents and neuroprotective activities of the branches and leaves of Aphanamixis polystachya. Methods Monomer compounds were obtained through separation and purification using various chromatographic techniques including silica gel column chromatography, reversed-phase ODS column, Sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLC, and recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated by modern spectroscopic methods including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), infrared spectroscopy (IR), ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Results A total of 21 compounds were isolated from the branches and leaves of A. polystachya, identified as, (2R,5R,8S,9S,10R)-1-[(E)-5-hydroxy-3-methylpent-3-en-1-yl]-4,4,8,10-tetramethyldecahydronaphthalene-2,8-diol (1), (1S,4aS,7R,8R,8aS)-decahydro-8-[(3E)-5-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-penten-1-yl]-4,4,7,8a-tetramethyl-1,7-naphthalenediol (2), 3β,8α,15-trihydroxy-13-labdane (3), 8β,15-dihydroxy-ent-labda-13E-en-3-one (4), labd-13(E)-ene-8α,15-diol (5), labd-13(E)-ene-8α-hydroxy-15-acetate (6), labda-7,13E-dien-15-ol (7), labda-8,13E-dien-15-ol (8), brachytylin D (9), labda-8(17),13E-dien-15-ol (10), selin-11-en-4α-ol (11), (±)-selin-11-en-4α-ol (12), (1S,5R,9R)-10,10-dimethyl-2,6-dimethylenebicyclo[7.2.0]undecane-5-ol (13), caryophyllenol-II (14), ciwujiatone (15), lyoniresinol (16), isolariciresinol (17), (±)-ficusesquilignan A (18), ficusesquilignan B (19), syringaresinol (20), methyl rosmarinate (21). Conclusion Compound 1 is a novel compound designated as labdane diterpenoid Z. Compounds 2-4, 9, 11-15, and 18-21 are isolated from genus Aphanamixis for the first time, which further enriches the chemical component database of the genus Aphanamixis. Furthermore, biological activity assays reveals that compound 21 exhibits neuroprotective activity.

A new monoterpene from Callicarpa nudiflora and its anti-MRSA activity

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(15): 5799-5805.

Objective To study the chemical constituents of the dried leaves of Callicarpa nudiflora and discover bioactive compounds with anti-methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) effects. Methods A systematic separation of chemical constituents was conducted by comprehensive chromatographic methods, including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography and other chromatographic techniques. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis including IR, HR-ESI-MS, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, HSQC, HMBC, COSY, etc. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the compounds against Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Escherichia coli, and multidrug-resistant E. coli were determined by the nutrient broth dilution method. Results One monoterpene, named (Z)-2-methyl-6-methyleneocta-2,7-dine-1-yl (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acrylate (1), and four sesquiterpenoids, named monasuslunin (2), (1S,5R,9R)-10,10-dimethyl-2,6-dimethylenebicyclo [7.2.0] undecan-5-ol (3), 7-epi-eudesm-4(15)-ene-1β,6β-diol (4), sclareolide (5) were isolated and identified. Compound 1 exhibited strong inhibitory effects against S. aureus 29213 and MRSA T144, with MICs of 8 μg/mL for both. The MICs against E. coli 25922 and E. coli B2 were both greater than 8 μg/mL. Conclusion Compound 1 is a new compound named Callinuene A and compounds 3-5 are first isolated within this species. Compound 1 exhibits significant anti-MRSA activity.

A new water-soluble phenolic acid from Salvia miltiorrhiza

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(15): 5806-5813.

Objective To study the chemical constituents of Salvia miltiorrhiza and their anti-asthma activity. Methods The compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, gel column chromatography and preparative liquid chromatography. Their structures were identified based on spectroscopic data and physicochemical properties. The anti-asthma activity of the obtained compounds was evaluated using β-hexosaminidase release assay and RBL-2H3 cell degranulation model. Results Seven compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of S. miltiorrhiza and identified as (S)-3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-methoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl (2S,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-((E)-3-(((S)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-ethoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl)oxy)-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)-7-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-3-carboxylate (1), rosmarinic acid (2), methyl linoleate (3), 4-oxononanoic acid (4), (Z)-9-octadecenoic acid (5), (9Z,12Z)-nonadeca-9,12-dienoic acid (6), and n-13,16-nonadecadienoic acid (7). The bioactivity results showed that compound 1 inhibited the release of β-hexosaminidase, reduced the levels of mouse mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1), β-mast cell tryptase (β-MCT), histamine (HIS) and leukotriene C4 (LTC4), and significantly ameliorated the degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells. Conclusion Compound 1 is a new water-soluble phenolic acid, named 9′ʺ-ethyl salvianolate B, that may exert anti-asthma effect by inhibiting mast cell degranulation.

High-efficiency screening of pancreatic lipase inhibitors of Rheum palmatum based on Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PPL and their anti-obesity mechanism study

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(15): 5814-5824.

Objective To develop an integrated strategy for rapid screening of pancreatic lipase (PPL) inhibitors from Rheum palmatum and systematically investigate their potential anti-obesity mechanisms. Methods Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PPL was synthesized via chemical co-precipitation, Stöber method, and cross-linking, and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PPL was applied in ligand fishing experiments on an ethanol extract of R. palmatum, and the captured ligands were identified by UPLC with reference standards. Molecular docking and network pharmacology were integrated to conduct mechanism prediction from multiple dimensions such as molecular interaction, target mapping, and pathway enrichment. Results Material characterization revealed the presence of an enzyme coating layer on the surface, along with characteristic absorption peaks of Fe-O, Si-O-Si, and -NH₂, indicating that pancreatic lipase was successfully immobilized on the carrier surface. Four compounds were specifically captured by fishing experiments, including chrysophanol-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, aloe-emodin, rhein, and chrysophanol. Among them, chrysophanol and aloe-emodin exhibited high inhibitory effects against pancreatic lipase, with median inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) values of 67.03 and 85.86 μmol/L, respectively. Molecular docking suggested that the active components can form hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with key amino acid residues of pancreatic lipase. Network pharmacology identified 150 overlapping targets between the active components and obesity. Screening out the five core targets: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and protein kinase B1 (AKT1), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC), heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1), and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2). Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the HIF-1 signaling pathway and the lipid and atherosclerosis pathway were the main mechanisms of action. Conclusion An integrated approach combining material-based screening, computational validation, and network prediction was established. This strategy provides an efficient tool for high-throughput screening of bioactive compounds from traditional Chinese medicines and offers methodological insights into clarifying the multi-target action mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine from the perspective of systems biology.