Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs

Identification of Panax ginseng FAD gene family based on T2T genome and functional verification of PgFAD2-56

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(12): 4811-4822.

Objective FAD enzymes introduce double bonds at specific positions in fatty acids, converting saturated fatty acids into unsaturated fatty acids, playing crucial roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. This study aimed to systematically identify the FAD gene family in Panax ginseng and verify the function of PgFAD2-56, so as to elucidate the functions and stress response mechanisms of ginseng FAD genes. Methods Using bioinformatics approaches, 98 PgFAD genes were identified from the P. ginseng T2T genome, and their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal localization, gene structures, conserved motifs, cis-acting regulatory elements, collinearity, and expression patterns under stress conditions were analyzed. Molecular docking was performed to predict the binding affinity of highly expressed FAD2 proteins with oleic acid, and the function of PgFAD2-56 was verified using a yeast heterologous expression system. Results The results showed that the 98 PgFAD genes could be classified into six subfamilies (ADS, SLD, FAD3/FAD7/FAD8, FAD6, FAD2, and FAB) based on amino acid sequence similarity, which was consistently supported by their gene structures and conserved motifs. Numerous hormone- and stress-responsive cis-acting elements and transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) were identified in the promoters of PgFAD genes. Collinearity analysis revealed significant expansion of the FAD2 subfamily in P. ginseng. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that some PgFADs displayed significant differential expression under stress conditions. Molecular docking indicated that FAD2-56 exhibited the lowest binding energy with oleic acid (−6.5 kcal/mol) among the highly expressed FAD2 proteins. Heterologous expression in yeast confirmed that PgFAD2-56 altered fatty acid composition by producing linoleic acid and enhanced cold stress resistance. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the ginseng FAD gene family exhibits strong subfamily specificity and plays a vital role in stress resistance, with the expansion of the FAD2 subfamily and functional characterization of PgFAD2-56 providing potential targets for stress-resistant molecular breeding in P. ginseng.

Effects of different light intensities on root morphology and accumulation of active ingredients in Angelica dahurica

XING Chunqin, WU Qinghua, ZHANG Jiaxu, HUANG Chengfeng, DU Jinyu, HUANG Xulong, ZHOU Tao, PEI Jin

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(12): 4823-4834.

Objective In order to study the relationship between the morphology of Angelica dahurica root system and the accumulation of coumarin-like components at different developmental stages under different light intensity treatments, to provide reference and basis for improving the quality of A. dahurica herbs and for efficient and reasonable cultivation and production. Methods The morphological indexes of A. dahurica root system were determined in 50% shade, natural light, and supplemental light treatment groups; High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and correlation analysis were used to determine and screen the coumarin-like components that were strongly associated with the morphology of A. dahurica root system; The morphology of the root system of A. dahurica was observed by the application of exogenous coumarin, and the expression level of coumarin biosynthesis-related genes in the root system was determined based on the RT-qPCR technique. Results Root morphology indexes of A. dahurica (dry weight of primary root, number of lateral roots, diameter of primary root, root-crown ratio) were positively correlated with light intensity; the overall change of the total coumarin content in the different light intensity treatment groups showed an “S” - shaped curve. Umbelliferolide was significantly negatively correlated with primary root length, number of lateral roots, and root-crown ratio, and significantly positively correlated with primary root diameter; exogenous application of umbelliferolide significantly promoted the increase of the morphological parameters of A. dahurica root system (total surface area of the root, the length of the total root, and the number of root branches), and the content of the four complex coumarins (oxypeucedanin, imperatorin, phellopterin, and isoimperatorin), and significantly up-regulated the expression of key genes of coumarin biosynthesis pathway, including phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H), 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL) and other key genes expression. Conclusion A. dahurica root indexes and coumarin content varied in different light intensities and developmental periods. The exogenous application of umbelliferolide affected the establishment of dahurica root system and the accumulation of coumarin-like components in dahurica roots by regulating the expression of genes related to the coumarin synthesis pathway in dahurica roots.

Quality evaluation of Rehmannia glutinosa leaves from various origins by HPLC fingerprinting and multi-component quantification combined with chemometric analysis

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(12): 4835-4844.

Objective To establish a fingerprinting method and multi-component quantification approach for Rehmannia glutinosa leaves from different geographical origins, and to evaluate the quality of these samples using chemometric analysis. Methods The HPLC fingerprint of R. glutinosa leaves was developed and analyzed for similarity using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Chromatographic Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation System (Version 2012.130723). Chemical constituents were identified and quantified by comparison with reference standards. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed using Origin 2025, IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0, and SIMCA 14.1 software to evaluate the quality of R. glutinosa leaves samples and screen for differential markers. Results A characteristic HPLC fingerprint of R. glutinosa leaves from different origins was developed. In this fingerprint, 19 common peaks were calibrated, and 13 components were unequivocally identified using reference standards. The similarity evaluation of the 23 batches yielded results ranging from 0.879 to 0.997. The cluster heatmap analysis demonstrated a clear classification, dividing the samples into two groups. Principal component analysis (PCA) yielded five principal components with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 83.545%, and the score plot revealed that samples originating from Henan province clustered separately, suggesting their superior quality. Subsequently, OPLS-DA was employed, which successfully screened four compounds-catalpol, acteoside, luteolin, and apigenin-as critical markers for quality discrimination. The quantitative analysis showed that the contents of these markers were 25.474—61.784 mg/g, 11.633—47.462 mg/g, 0.096—0.848 mg/g, and 0.100—1.268 mg/g, respectively. Conclusion The developed method, integrating HPLC fingerprinting and multi-component assay, proved to be simple, accurate, and reproducible. It can systematically reflect the differences among samples of R. glutinosa leaves from different producing areas, thereby providing a reference for their quality control.

Establishment of fingerprints and quantitative analysis of alkaloids in leaves of Lycium barbarum from different producing areas

LIU Shuang, LU Shun, MA Jiayi, TANG Lihua, WANG Chen, FAN Yanli, LIU Yuan

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(12): 4845-4854.

Objective To evaluate the quality of Lycium barbarum leaves from various production areas in Ningxia, an HPLC fingerprinting technique combined with chemometrics and quantitative determination of multiple alkaloids constituents with LC-MS/MS was used to construct the alkaloidal fingerprints of L. barbarum leaves (S1—S50) from five bases in three production areas in Ningxia. Methods The HPLC method and Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprinting in Chinese Medicine (version 2012) were used to generate fingerprints, and similarity evaluation and common peak confirmation were carried out. Meanwhile, LC-MS/MS was used to establish a method for the determination of the contents of seven alkaloids constituents (choline, betaine, trigonelline, lyciumin A, lyciumin B, N-trans-feruloyltyramine, N-feruloyl-3-methoxytyramine) to evaluate the leaves of L. barbarum from different origins in Ningxia. Results The obtained fingerprints had a total of 18 common peaks. The similarity between the alkaloid fingerprints of 50 batches of L. barbarum leaves. The control fingerprints ranged from 0.692 to 0.981. Zhongning and Guyuan origin L. barbarum leaves fingerprints have higher similarity to the control fingerprints, while Yinchuan origin L. barbarum leaves fingerprints have lower similarity to the control fingerprints. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) clustered the 50 batches of samples into four categories; principal component analysis (PCA) screened out four principal components, with a cumulative variance of 89.014%; orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) screened out the components with larger contributions to inter-group variance, which were, in the order of the size of the VIP, peak 5 > peak 3 > peak 10 > peak 11 > peak 13 > peak 2 > peak 4 > peak 9; content determination showed that seven alkaloids from Guyuan origin had the highest content. The results of content determination showed that the seven alkaloids of Guyuan origin had the highest content. Conclusion A stable HPLC fingerprint of L. barbarum leaves of different origins and a quantitative LC-MS/MS method for the determination of seven alkaloids were constructed, which can be used for the analysis of the difference in the origins of L. barbarum leaves and quality evaluation by combining with chemometrics.

Research status and development prospects of wastewater treatment technologies for traditional Chinese medicine manufacturing under context of “dual carbon” goals

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(12): 4855-4863.

The treatment of wastewater from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pharmaceutical production is crucial for the industry’s green transformation and ecological conservation. It reduces removes high-concentration pollutants, prevents soil and water contamination, safeguards ecological and human health, and supports sustainable industry development. However, due to the complex composition of TCM raw materials and diverse extraction processes, the resulting wastewater contains substantial amounts of organic matter, suspended solids, and refractory substances. It exhibits characteristics such as high organic pollutant concentration, significant water quality fluctuations, and strong toxicity and unpleasant odors. Traditional treatment processes consume high energy, exhibit low degradation efficiency, generate substantial carbon emissions, and impose greater environmental burdens, making treatment significantly more challenging than for conventional industrial wastewater. Guided by the “dual carbon” policy and focusing on the two core objectives of “reducing energy consumption and enhancing energy reuse,” this study reviews pharmaceutical wastewater treatment technologies. It summarizes low-carbon treatment strategies and techniques for TCM pharmaceutical wastewater, analyzes their technical pathways and application essentials, and explores future development trends. The aim is to provide practical insights for the green transformation and low-carbon development of the TCM pharmaceutical industry.

Application of solid dosage form technologies in development of classical traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(12): 4864-4875.

Ancient classical prescriptions, with their long clinical application experience and clear therapeutic effects, have become an important direction for the research and development of new traditional Chinese medicine drugs. With the continuous advancement of related research, it has not only provided a new path for explaining the scientific connotations of traditional prescriptions, but it has also significantly promoted the technological innovation of traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations. This has profound significance for the inheritance and innovative development of traditional Chinese medicine. In recent years, under the guidance of national policies, the development of classic prescription traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations has received much attention. Among them, solid preparations, due to their good stability, controllable dosage, and convenience in administration, have become the main dosage form in the development of classic prescription preparations and have gained wide application and market recognition. This article takes traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations as the entry point, systematically reviews the application status, problems and challenges, and solutions of solid preparation technology in the development of classic prescriptions, and discusses the prospects of solid preparation technology in the development of classic prescriptions, providing certain references for the future development of classic prescription traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations.

Research progress on directional regulation of cold and hot medicinal properties, efficacy enhancement and detoxification mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine by wine-processing

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(12): 4876-4888.

As a classic method of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) processing, wine-processing has been employed for toxin reduction and preservation of medicinal properties, efficacy enhancement and medicinal property modification, or purposely guiding the therapeutic effects of herbal medicines. This review retrieved literature from PubMed, Web of Science, China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases using keywords including “wine-processing” “medicinal properties” and “efficacy-enhancing mechanisms”. Findings indicate that traditional wine-processing predominantly utilizes HuangJiu, with distinctive techniques such as wine rinsing, wine stir-frying and wine steaming remaining in current practice. Modern processing technology emphasizes optimization of critical parameters. Wine-processing facilitates component transformation through physical dissolution, enhanced cellular permeability, and synergistic enzymatic/non-enzymatic reactions. Mechanisms involving multi-target networks and microbiota-targeted metabolic regulation, enable directional modulation of herbal cold/hot properties alongside efficacy enhancement and toxicity reduction. Future research should prioritize establishing digitalized process quality control standards, conduct interdisciplinary investigations into wine-processing effects on efficacy-related component groups, and elucidate directional regulation mechanisms of medicinal properties. These advancements are anticipated to promote standardization and modernization of wine-processing techniques while scientifically interpreting the theoretical foundations of TCM processing.

Myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction: Pathological mechanisms and therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine

JIN Yahui, LIU Xingyu, SHE Yuxuan, CHEN Yuhan, LIU Bo, ZHANG Bo, GAO Feng, LU Chenxi

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(12): 4889-4900.

Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a key pathological feature following myocardial infarction (MI). This condition leads to myocardial stiffening and impaired cardiac pumping, ultimately resulting in complications including arrhythmias, heart failure, and cardiac rupture. Currently, interventions such as chemical drugs and surgery play an important role in the treatment of post-MI MF. However, they are still limited by suboptimal prognoses and high medical costs. Meanwhile, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated potential value in this area, owing to its holistic regulation and multi-target therapeutic effects. This review provides a systematic overview of the pathological mechanisms underlying MF after MI and the preventive and therapeutic strategies of TCM for this disease. It aims to provide references for future clinical research and guide drug development efforts.

Research progress on pesticide residue analysis methods and novel rapid detection technologies for Angelicae Sinensis Radix

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(12): 4901-4913.

Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), as a bulk genuine medicinal material from Gansu, its quality and safety directly affect clinical efficacy and public health. In recent years, pesticide use during cultivation has led to increasingly prominent residue issues, which have become key risk factors constraining the sustainable development of the industry. Although traditional chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques offer high accuracy, they are limited by heavy reliance on specialized instruments dependency and long analysis cycles, making it difficult to meet the demands for on-site rapid screening and high-throughput detection of large-scale samples. Therefore, the development of fast, sensitive, and convenient novel detection technologies has become a current research priority. This paper systematically reviews the main types of pesticide residues in Angelicae Sinensis Radix, as well as advancements in detection technologies. It focuses on evaluating the principles, characteristics, and application status of emerging technologies based on nanomaterials, biosensing, and molecular imprinting, and discusses the challenges of interference and adaptability in the complex matrix of Angelicae Sinensis Radix. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes that quality control of traditional Chinese medicine must balance “safety” and “effectiveness”, analyzes the synergistic relationship between pesticide residue detection and active component analysis, and puts forward technical pathways for their integrated detection. Finally, it outlines the development trends of Angelicae Sinensis Radix pesticide residue detection technologies toward integration, intelligentization, and whole-process traceability, aiming to provide a reference for constructing a fast, accurate, and high-throughput quality monitoring system suitable for the complex matrix of traditional Chinese medicine.

Regulation of natural product self-assembled hydrogels for intelligent drug delivery

ZHAO Mengke, LU Yanyan, ZHAO Xuan, YANG Kang, ZHU Yanhui, WANG Zhenzhen

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(12): 4914-4925.

Natural product hydrogels, self-assembled from active components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) such as steroids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and quinones, represent a significant class of functional systems. Leveraging their intrinsic amphiphilic structures, these compounds spontaneously form stable three-dimensional networks through intermolecular interactions including hydrophobic effects, π-π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and coordination bonds. These hydrogels possess the core “drug-carrier integration” feature, offering unique advantages for drug delivery and disease therapy. Key properties such as bioadhesion, targeted localization, stimuli-responsive release, and in situ gelation enable precise drug delivery and enhanced therapeutic efficacy. However, significant challenges persist in this field: the self-assembly pathways and dynamic evolution mechanisms of many natural products remain incompletely elucidated, hindering the precise construction of functional materials. Furthermore, existing evaluation systems often fail to comprehensively reflect their in vivo pharmacological effects, resulting in a notable lag in clinical translation. Future research should, therefore, prioritize the systematic analysis of multi-level self-assembly mechanisms. This involves exploring the intrinsic relationships between molecular structure, assembly kinetics, and macroscopic properties, alongside their applications in intelligent drug delivery and therapy. Such efforts are expected to provide a theoretical basis for the rational design of natural product-based functional materials and to inform new directions for developing innovative TCM formulations and precision medicine.