Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs

Influencing factors, transformation mechanism of pharmacodynamic components and control strategies for stability of traditional Chinese medicine oral liquid

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(11): 4435-4446.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) oral liquid is an oral liquid preparation made from Chinese medicinal materials through processes such as extraction, concentration and purification, and it is one of the commonly used liquid preparations. It has the advantages of easy absorption, rapid action and convenient administration, and is widely used in clinical practice. However, TCM oral liquid has a complex composition. During production and storage, it is easily affected by factors such as temperature and light, and undergoes oxidation, degradation, complexation and other reactions, resulting in unstable phenomena such as sedimentation, turbidity, flocculation and stratification. These phenomena have adverse effects on product quality and medication safety. How to regulate the stability of TCM oral liquid through environmental control, clarification process optimization, additive addition and application of advanced formulation technologies is a key issue. Based on this, this paper aims to deeply analyze the factors affecting the stability of TCM oral liquid and the transformation mechanism of its active ingredients on the basis of the active ingredients of TCM oral liquid, and then summarize the control strategies, with the aim of providing theoretical references for research and development and production of TCM oral liquid.

Nanoaggregates of traditional Chinese medicine: Research progress on self-assembly mechanisms and targeted delivery

YAN Xueshan, XIAO Zhenxiang, DONG Yingying, WANG Bing, FEI Bo, SHAO Shuai, MENG Lingkun, LI Guangzhe, YAN Mingming

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(11): 4447-4456.

Nanoaggregates of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) serve as the core vehicle for elucidating the pharmacological basis of TCM formulations and their “multi-component, multi-target” mechanisms of action. This review systematically reviews the latest research advances on the formation mechanisms, influencing factors, characterization techniques and targeted delivery applications of TCM nanoaggregates, and analyzes the current challenges and future prospects of this research field. Studies have shown that TCM nanoaggregates can self-assemble spontaneously through non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic interactions. Their particle size, morphology and structural characteristics significantly affect the solubility, stability and bioavailability of drugs. Targeted delivery is the core advantage of TCM nanoaggregates. It enables the precise enrichment of drugs at lesion sites through passive targeting and active targeting strategies, thereby achieving the goal of toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement. Nevertheless, this field still faces challenges such as complicated preparation processes and insufficient evaluation of stability and safety. Future studies should further elucidate the formation mechanisms and optimize the evaluation system, providing novel perspectives and technical support for the interpretation of the material basis of TCM efficacy and the modernization development of traditional Chinese medicine.

Research progress on pharmacological effects and mechanisms of hesperetin in prevention and treatment of digestive system diseases

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(11): 4457-4466.

Digestive system diseases exhibit high clinical incidence rates and complex pathogenesis, creating an urgent need for the development of safe and effective therapeutic agents. Hesperetin is a flavonoid compound widely presented in Rutaceae plants, and serves as the primary effective component of traditional Chinese medicines such as Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Zhiqiao (Aurantii Fructus) and Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride) in preventing and treating digestive system dysfunction. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that hesperetin could exert potential therapeutic effects on digestive system diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, ulcerative colitis, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer through multiple pathways including inhibiting inflammatory responses, antioxidative stress, improving lipid metabolism, regulating intestinal flora, regulating mitochondrial autophagy, antitumor, etc. This article summarizes and analyzes the relevant research reports at home and abroad in the past 30 years, systematically reviews the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of hesperetin in treatment of digestive system diseases, and provides theoretical basis and scientific reference for the development of new drugs and health products.

Research progress on alkaloid components in plants from Dactylicapnos and their biosynthetic pathways and pharmacological activities

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(11): 4467-4482.

With the continuous deepening of research on active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, Dactylicapnos alkaloids play an increasingly important role in the fields of plant chemistry and innovative drug development. This article elaborates on the main achievements and progress in the research of alkaloid components in the Dactylicapnos at home and abroad, and introduces the research status and characteristics of this field at home and abroad. By comparing domestic and foreign studies, this article found that there are some hot and difficult issues in the research field of Dactylicapnos alkaloid components, mainly manifested in the imbalance of alkaloid research among different species in Dactylicapnos, the narrow scope of alkaloid components and pharmacological activity research in this genus. Finally, this article provides a review of the efficacy, chemical composition, biosynthetic pathways, and pharmacological activities of Dactylicapnos, pointing out the shortcomings of current research and proposing future research directions and possible development trends. This article aims to provide reference for researchers on Dactylicapnos alkaloids and provide insights and suggestions for subsequent investigations.

Mechanisms, application progress, and translation bottlenecks of Chinese herbal medicine-derived EV-like particles in regulating neurodegenerative diseases

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(11): 4483-4493.

Chinese herbal medicine-derived EV-like particles (CHM-EVLP) constitute a natural nanoscale delivery system sourced from medicinal plants listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Exhibiting excellent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, outstanding ability to traverse biological barriers, and synergistic effects from multiple components. They effectively overcome limitations in traditional drug therapies for neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), such as difficulty in penetrating the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the limited efficacy of single-target interventions. This paper systematically reviews the biological characteristics and material basis of CHM-EVLP, confirming its core particle size distribution between 30—150 nm and its composite structure comprising lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and secondary metabolites. It summarises separation and purification techniques—including differential ultracentrifugation, density gradient centrifugation, and ultrafiltration/size exclusion chromatography—alongside multidimensional characterisation methods. It emphasises the core mechanism of CHM-EVLP in preventing and treating NDDs, which involves the synergistic action of four pathways: “inhibiting protein aggregation, regulating neuroinflammation, repairing mitochondria, and protecting neurons”. This approach establishes specific in vivo action pathways for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), while analysing suitable scenarios for oral, intranasal, and injectable administration routes. Concurrently, it identifies current limitations in CHM-EVLP research, including the absence of standardised extraction and purification protocols, incomplete quality control systems, and the need for further validation of in vivo delivery efficiency and long-term safety. Future research directions proposed include establishing standardised preparation workflows, constructing a “combined marker system”, and deepening the validation of key bioactive component-target-effect relationships. This work provides theoretical underpinnings and technical references for the engineered development of CHM-EVLPs and the clinical translation of TCM nanomedicines in NDDs prevention and treatment, highlighting their application value in modernising traditional Chinese medicine.

Molecular mechanisms underpinning Polygonati Rhizoma quality formation: A systems view of multifactorial interactions

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(11): 4494-4508.

Huangjing (Polygonati Rhizoma) is a medicinal and edible herb whose quality is primarily determined by its intrinsic medicinal properties, mainly characterized by polysaccharides and saponins. However, the content and composition of these bioactive constituents are highly susceptible to variations in germplasm, ecological conditions, and processing methods, leading to significant fluctuations in commercial product quality—a critical bottleneck impeding the standardized development of the industry. Traditional research has predominantly focused on the apparent effects of individual ecological or agronomic factors, lacking a holistic analysis of the complex system governing quality formation. This review focuses on the intrinsic medicinal quality of Polygonati Rhizoma and constructs a systematic theoretical framework of “genetic-environment-management” multifactorial interactions to elucidate the multidimensional regulatory network underlying its quality formation. The article comprehensively reviews and analyzes the synergistic regulatory mechanisms of various factors and their interactions on quality traits from three dimensions: intrinsic genetic basis (germplasm resources and metabolic regulatory networks), extrinsic environmental regulation (climatic factors and rhizosphere microecological interactions), and anthropogenic production interventions (precision cultivation and post-harvest processing). On this basis, we propose that future research should prioritize systems biology analysis through multi-omics integration, intelligent and precise management across the entire industrial chain, modernization and value-added transformation of processing technologies, and the establishment of a whole-process quality standard system. This review provides an integrated theoretical framework for understanding the formation mechanism of the geo-authentic medicinal quality of Polygonati Rhizoma and offers a theoretical foundation for guiding its standardized production and high-quality industrial development.

Two new withanolides from Physalis minima and their antitumor activities

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(10): 3685-3692.

Objective To investigate the withanolides from the aerial parts of Physalis minima and evaluate their in vitro anti-tumor activities against human colon cancer (HCT-116), triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231), and human erythroleukemia (HEL) cell lines. Methods The chemical constituents were isolated and purified using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were elucidated through a comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, including infrared (IR), high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). The proliferation inhibitory activitiesof the isolated compounds against the above three cancer cell lines were evaluated using the MTT assay. Results Eight withanolides were isolated and identified from the aerial parts of P. minima, including two new compounds (1 and 2), which were characterized as (8R,9S,10R,13R,14R,16S,17R,20S,22R,24S)-14α,17α:16α,24α-diepoxy-13α,14β,22α-trihydroxy-1,15-dione-13,14-seco-ergosta-2,5-diene- 18,20-olide (1) and (8R,9S,10R,13R,14R,16S,17R,20S,22R,24R,25R)-14α,17α:14,27-diepoxy-13α,22α-dihydroxy-1,15-dione-13,14-seco-ergosta-2,5-diene-18,20-olide-24-propionic acid (2). The known compounds were identified as 5α-ethoxy-6β-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrophysalin B (3), physalin VI (4), physaminin F (5), physagulide D (6), pubesenolide (7), and physaminilide I (8). The in vitro bioassay results demonstrated that three compounds (1, 3, and 5) exhibited potent inhibitory activities against HCT-116 cells, with IC₅₀ values ranging from (10.97 ±1.62) to (39.20 ±2.17) μmol/L. Compound 3 displayed an IC₅₀ value of (19.36 ±1.03) μmol/L against MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, three compounds (1, 3, and 4) showed inhibitory effects on HEL cells, with IC₅₀ values ranging from (8.27 ±0.37) to (38.97 ±1.77) μmol/L. Conclusion Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds. Compound 1 represents the first reported 22, 26-seco-nor-physalin, named phyminate A , while compound 2 is the first 22,26-seco-physalin featuring a 24-propionic acid moiety and a C-14/C-27 ether bridge, named phyminate B. The inhibitory activities of compounds 1, 3—5 against three tumor cell lines indicate their potential as anti-cancer candidates, justifying in-depth study.

Cycloartane triterpenoids from Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus and their renal protection against injury

ZHANG Yixin, FAN Chunyu, GUO Hui, MA Jiantong, DING Liqin

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(10): 3693-3699.

Objective To study cycloartane triterpenoids from Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus and their protective effects against cisplatin-induced renal injury. Methods The constituents were isolated from non-polysaccharide fractions of the aqueous extract of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus by employing multiple chromatographic techniques including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and ODS. Their structures were identified based on the physicochemical properties as well as spectroscopic and spectrometric data. Their protective activities against renal injury were evaluated by detecting the cell viability of human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells injured by cisplatin. Results Four cycloartane triterpenoids were isolated from Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus and identified as 12-carboxy-20,24,25-trihydroxy-3-(β-D-xylopyranosyloxy)-6-(β-D-glucopyra- nosyloxy)-7(8)-ene-9,10-secocycloartane (1), astragaloside II (2), astragaloside Ⅳ (3) and astragaloside Ⅰ (4). Additionally, compounds 2 and 3 could significantly improve the decreased cell viability induced by cisplatin (P < 0.05). Conclusion Compound 1 is a novel homocycloartane triterpenoid named homoastragaloside A, and compounds 2 and 3 exhibit protective effects against renal injury.

Chemical constituents of Euphorbia peplus

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(10): 3700-3708.

Objective To investigate the terpenoid constituents of fruit shells of Euphorbia peplus and evaluate their anti-inflammatory activities. Methods Various chromatographic techniques were applied to isolate terpenoids from the petroleum ether-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract of E. peplus fruit shells. The chemical structures of all isolates were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses (1D/2D NMR, HRMS) combined with single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Anti-inflammatory activities were assessed by measuring the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Results A total of 13 terpenoids were isolated from the petroleum ether fraction of E. peplus fruit shells, including four paraliane-type diterpenoids (1–4), one pepluane-type diterpenoid (5), three jatrophane-type diterpenoids (6–8), two ingenane-type diterpenoids (9 and 10), one abietane-type diterpenoid (11), one ursane-type triterpenoid (12), and one dinor-monocyclic diterpenoid (13). They were respectively identified as (2S,3S,4R,5R,6R,8S,12S,13S,15R)-8b-acetyl-paralianone D (1), (1R,2R,3S,4R,5R,6R,8S,12S,13S,14R, 15R)-1,5,8,14-tetraacetoxy-3-benzoyloxy-15-hydroxy-9-oxo-paraliane (2), (2S,3S,4R,5R,6R,8S,12S,13S,14R,15R)-5,8,14-triacetoxy-3-benzoyloxy-15-hydroxy-9-oxo-parapliane (3), paralianone A (4), (2S,3S,4R,5R,6R,8R,9R,10R,12S,13S,14R,15R)-5,8,9,10,14-pentaacetoxy-3-benzoyloxy-15-hydroxypepluane (5), euphpepluone A (6), euphpepluone D (7), (2S,3S,4R,5R,7S,8R,13S,15R)-5α,7b,8α-triacetoxy-3b-benzoyloxy-15b-hydroxyjatropha-6(17),11E-diene-9,14-dione (8), 20-deoxyingenol (9), 20-O-(2¢E,4¢Z-decadienoyl)ingenol (10), helioscopinolide D (11), ursolic acid (12) and (3R,6R,7E,9E,11E)-3-hydroxy-13-apo-α-caroten-13-one (13). The structure of compound 1 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the anti-inflammatory activity screening, only compound 2 exhibited inhibitory activity against NO production, with an IC₅₀ value of (37.6 ±8.2) μmol/L. Conclusion Compounds 1, 2, 10, and 13 were isolated from E. peplus for the first time. Compound 2 demonstrated moderate anti-inflammatory activity. This study enriches the terpenoid chemical diversity of terpenoids from E. peplus and provides an experimental basis for further research on its anti-inflammatory substances.

Chemical constituents from branches of Broussonetia papyrifera and their cytotoxic activity against primary effusion lymphoma cells

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(10): 3709-3719.

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents of the branches of Broussonetia papyrifera and screen for compounds with cytotoxic activity against primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells. Methods The compounds were isolated and purified by various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, RP-18, Sephadex LH-20, and MCI column chromatographies, as well as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods. The cytotoxicity of the isolates against PEL cell lines (BC-3 and BCBL-1) was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The effects of active compounds on cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Nineteen compounds were isolated and identified as broussoflavonol B (1), 8-prenylquercetin-3-methyl ether (2), taxifolin (3), liquiritigenin (4), (＋)-medioresinol (5), (＋)-syringaresinol (6), dadahol B (7), diospyrosin (8), balanophonin (9), 5-methoxybalanophonin (10), isokhellactone (11), nodakenetin (12), rutamarin (13), smyrindiol (14), marmesin (15), 8-methoxymarmesin (16), 7-demethylsuberosin (17), umbelliferone (18), and n-hexacosyl (E)-p-coumarate (19). Compounds 1,7 and 17 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against PEL cells. Among them, compound 7 showed half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 16.05 and 16.90 μmol/L against BC-3 and BCBL-1 cells, respectively. Further studies indicated that compound 7 could notably induce apoptosis and arrest cell cycle in PEL cells. Conclusion Compounds 8,17 and 19 were isolated from the Moraceae for the first time, while compounds 9—11 and 13 were obtained from the genus Broussonetia for the first time. Compound 7 exerts its anti-PEL activity by inducing cell apoptosis and blocking cell cycle progression.