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.

Objective To investigate the trace amounts of furanocoumarin dimers from Angelica dahurica var. formosana. Methods Using an LC-MS guided separation method, the furanocoumarin dimers were isolated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures of the isolated dimeric coumarins were identified by NMR spectroscopy, and their preliminarily acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities were evaluated. Results Three furanocoumarin dimers were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the ethanol extract of A. dahurica var. formosana, namely 9-{[4-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-7-oxo-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromen-9-yl]oxy}-4-[(2-methylbut-3-en-2-yl)oxy]-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromen-7-one (1), dahuribiethrin E (2) and dahuribiethrin B (3). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new compound, namely dahuribiscoumarin A. Compounds 2 and 3 are isolated from A. dahurica var. formosana for the first time. Compound 2 exhibits acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity with a median inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) value of (71.37 ± 1.26) μmol/L.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of tannic acid in promoting mitochondrial autophagy in chondrocytes and improving knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in mice based on PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway. Methods A mouse KOA model was established via destabilization of medial meniscus surgery. Sham group, model group and tannic acid low-, high-dose (25, 50 mg/kg) groups were set up, drugs were given for intervention for eight weeks. Joint cartilage pathology was assessed by imaging, safranin O-fast green staining and toluidine blue staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of collagen II (Col-II), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), PINK1, Parkin, p62 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B) in cartilage tissue. ATDC5 mouse chondrocytes were stimulated with IL-1β and then treated with tannic acid. Cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of Col-II, MMP13 and IL-1β. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of mitophagy-related proteins PINK1, Parkin, p62 and LC3-II/I. Changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by immunofluorescence. Mitochondrial autophagy level was observed by transmission electron microscopy. And reverse mechanism validation was performed using the mitochondrial autophagy inhibitor Mdivi-1. Results Compared with sham group, the cartilage of mice in model group was severely worn, OARSI score was significantly increased (P < 0.01), the protein expression levels of Col-II, PINK1, Parkin and LC3B in cartilage tissue were significantly reduced (P < 0.01), while the protein expression levels of IL-1β, MMP13 and p62 were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared with model group, the cartilage morphology of mice in tannic acid group was improved, OARSI score was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), the protein expression levels of Col-II, PINK1, Parkin and LC3B in cartilage tissue were significantly increased (P < 0.01), while the protein expression levels of IL-1β, MMP13 and p62 were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). The cell experiment results showed that IL-1β-induced chondrocyte viability was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), IL-1β, MMP13 protein and mRNA expression levels were significantly increased (P < 0.01), Col-II protein and mRNA expression levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.01), LC3-II/I, PINK1, Parkin protein expression levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05, 0.01), p62 protein expression level was significantly increased (P < 0.05), intracellular ROS accumulation was increased (P < 0.01), mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased (P < 0.01), and autophagosome was decreased. Compared with model group, cell viability in tannic acid group was significantly increased (P < 0.05, 0.01), ROS accumulation significantly was decreased (P < 0.01), mitochondrial membrane potential was recovered (P < 0.05), IL-1β, MMP13 protein and mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.05, 0.01), Col-II protein and mRNA expression levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05, 0.01), p62 protein expression level was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), LC3-II/I, PINK1 and Parkin protein expression levels were significantly increased (P < 0.01). After the combined use of mitochondrial autophagy inhibitor Mdivi-1, the therapeutic effect of tannic acid on chondrocytes was reversed (P < 0.05, 0.01). Conclusion Tannic acid alleviates articular cartilage damage and delays the progression of KOA by promoting chondrocyte mitophagy through PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the knowledge evolution context, patent genealogy characteristics and prospective innovation directions of Euphorbia plant research, and clarify the efficiency of achievement transformation and the global competitive pattern, this study adopts bibliometric and knowledge graph analysis methods, combined with patent information lineage analysis technology to carry out systematic research. Methods The relevant literature in the CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and Web of Science Core Collection were systematically searched with Euphorbia pekinensis and Euphorbia as the subject words, imported into NoteExpress literature management software for deduplication, screening and format conversion, and CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were used to visualize the annual publication trends, the publishing country, institution, author, journal distribution, discipline distribution and other dimensions of Chinese and English literature. At the same time, based on the Incopat patent database, the application and distribution status of patents related to Euphorbia plants were systematically analyzed from aspects such as the number of patent applications and geographical distribution patterns. Results After the screening procedure, a total of 1 682 Chinese literature and 1 339 English literature were incorporated into the study, indicating that the research of Euphorbia plants was at the international stage. A total of 98 countries had issued documents, among which China had published the most achievements. The author with the largest number of publications in both Chinese and English was Zhang Li. The core publishing institutions of the Chinese and English literature were Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine and the United States Department of Agriculture. The cooperation connections between these institutions were still relatively scattered, but some authors had formed stable research teams. The Chinese and English journals with the highest number of articles published were China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica and Journal of Ethnopharmacology. The English literature mainly involved plant science and extended to pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and other fields. The Incopat patent database retrieved 8 350 patents related to Euphorbia plants, and 5 603 domestic patents, accounting for 67.1% of the total, which was in a dominant position. Conclusion Research on Euphorbia plants shows a pattern dominated by China, coexisting with global participation. The fundamental research system in this field has become increasingly well-established, with remarkable progress in the modernization of traditional medicinal applications and broad prospects for industrial transformation, but there are still problems such as regional development imbalance. In the future, it should deepen the basic theory, promote interdisciplinary research, optimize the patent layout, and realize the efficient transformation and sustainable development of resource value.

Nanophases of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have recently emerged as a novel structural form attracting increasing attention in the modernization of TCM. They are typically formed through the self-assembly of multiple components during decoction or extraction processes, possessing both intrinsic therapeutic activity and imaging potential, thereby providing a new class of carriers for bioimaging applications. This review systematically summarizes the structural basis and signal sources of TCM nanophases in bioimaging, and highlights their advantages, including intrinsic imaging capability, favorable biocompatibility, and multicomponent synergistic responsiveness. Furthermore, their applications are discussed in depth, particularly in the visualization of action mechanisms of TCM formulas, the investigation of tissue distribution related to meridian tropism, the quantitative visualization of TCM syndromes, and imaging-guided theranostics. Meanwhile, key challenges in this field are analyzed from several perspectives, including the correlation between imaging signals and pharmacological effects, the decoding of multicomponent synergistic interactions, the mismatch between imaging resolution and meridian structures, and quality consistency. Looking forward, with the integration of high-resolution imaging technologies and interdisciplinary analytical approaches, TCM nanophases are expected to promote the development of emerging concepts such as panoramic molecular imaging of TCM, facilitating the transition of TCM research from empirical description to visualization and quantification, and providing new technical strategies for the modern scientific interpretation of TCM theories.

Objective To comprehensively sort out and visually analyze the research status, hotspots and trends of knowledge graph technology in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from the perspectives of bibliometrics and global patents, provide references for in-depth research and development in this field. Methods The relevant Chinese and English literature published between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2025, was systematically retrieved from the CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and Web of Science databases. Using tools such as CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Excel, we performed bibliometric and visual analyses of publication trends, institutional and author collaboration networks, journal sources, and keyword co-occurrence and evolution. Additionally, we analyzed global patent applications from the Incopat database, focusing on application trends, geographical distribution, applicants, and technical themes. Results A total of 745 valid publications were included (618 in Chinese, 127 in English) and 432 patent families. Research on knowledge graph technology in TCM is in a phase of rapid development. Current hotspots focus on refining knowledge extraction techniques, developing KG-assisted diagnosis and treatment systems, intelligent question-answering, and synergistic applications with large language models. The field is moving toward deeper interdisciplinary integration and clinical application . China occupies a dominant position in both research output and patent applications (96% share), with established collaboration networks. However, cross-regional and interdisciplinary cooperation requires further strengthening. Conclusion Research on knowledge graph technology in the field of traditional Chinese medicine is deeply evolving from fundamental construction to intelligent applications. Despite China’s quantitative advantage in patents, challenges persist, including a relative lack of high-value patents, technical homogenization, and insufficient international competitiveness.

Objective To explore the self-assembly behavior and molecular association patterns of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and genkwanin (Gen) after combination, and to analyze the correlation between the incompatibility and the molecular state of Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)-Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos) from the microscopic perspective. Methods Employ dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultrafiltration to characterize the particle size, morphology and ultrafiltration behavior of GA-Gen mixed solutions. Results When GA and Gen were combined at mass ratios of 55:1 and 45:1, the particle size decreased significantly from 100—150 nm (GA monomer solutions) to approximately 50 nm. After combination, DLS showed a light intensity signal that was not present in the monomer solution at 10—100 nm. SEM images showed that the GA-Gen compatible solutions formed well-defined cubic particles, distinctly different from the globular and long needle-like morphologies of the individual components. When ultrafiltration membranes with molecular weight cut-off (M_w) of 3 000, 10 000, 30 000, 50 000 and 100 000 were used for separation, it was found that with the increase of GA concentration, the transmittance of GA gradually decreased, and the molecular weight at 10% transmittance (T₁₀) and the association coefficient (N) also gradually increased. At the same concentration, the transmittance of GA in the compatibility system was higher than that in the GA monomer system, and T₁₀ and N were lower than those in the monomer system. In addition, the transmittance of Gen in GA-containing system was significantly improved. The decoction system of medicinal materials is consistent with the trends of monomer system. Comparing the SEM of single decoction and co-decoction, the particle size of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma single decoction was regular and the size was relatively uniform, and the particle size of Genkwa Flos single decoction was greatly different. The co-decoction failed to reproduce the regular cube of monomer compatibility, but the particle uniformity was between the two single decoctions. Conclusion GA and Gen do not simply coexist in aqueous solution. Instead, Gen is incorporated into GA micelles via molecular substitution, leading to the formation of new self-assembled associates. These findings provide a novel perspective for understanding the mechanism of “reverse” of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Genkwa Flos herb pair.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and medication patterns of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on real-world data and provide a scientific basis for syndrome differentiation-based medication selection and the development of new TCM therapies. Methods Electronic medical records of 6 240 outpatients with stable COPD treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Liuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Wuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2019 and January 2025 were retrospectively collected. Disease characteristics and TCM prescription compatibility patterns were systematically analyzed using the Ancient and Modern Medical Record Cloud Platform through frequency analysis, association rule mining, and hierarchical cluster analysis. Results The predominant syndrome types in patients with stable COPD were lung-kidney deficiency syndrome and lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome. The core symptoms were cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, and chest distension. Commonly used herbs included Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and Huangqi (Astragali Radix). Important herb combinations included Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Pinelliae Rhizoma and Astragali Radix-Dangshen (Codonopsis Radix). These herbs were predominantly warm in nature and sweet, pungent, and bitter in flavor, and were mainly associated with the lung, spleen, and kidney meridians. Conclusion This study suggests that the stable stage of COPD is primarily characterized by lung-kidney deficiency syndrome and lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome. Therapeutic strategies should focus on tonifying the lung, spleen, and kidney, warming yang, resolving phlegm, activating blood, and resolving stasis. The identified core herb combinations may provide an important reference for precise syndrome differentiation and treatment, future clinical validation, and the development of new TCM-based therapies.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety ofKushen Gel combined with oral fluconazole in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Methods A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients with VVC who visited four hospitals between June 2024 and October 2025 were recruited and randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the placebo group or the Kushen Gel group. Both groups received a single oral dose of fluconazole 150 mg. Additionally, the Kushen Gel group received intravaginal Kushen Gel, while the placebo group received a placebo gel with identical appearance and properties, both for 14 consecutive days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the clinical response rate at 7—10 days after drug discontinuation. Secondary efficacy endpoints included the proportion of patients with normalization of at least four vaginal microecological indicators, time to complete resolution of vulvar pruritus, pain, and abnormal discharge, vaginal cleanliness, and mycological recurrence rate at 25—31 days after drug discontinuation. Adverse events were monitored to evaluate safety. Results A total of 93 patients were randomized. At the 7—10 days post-treatment follow-up visit, the clinical response rate in the Kushen Gel group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (87.50% vs 65.00%, P = 0.033 9). The proportion of patients achieving normalization of at least four vaginal microecological indicators was significantly higher in the Kushen Gel group compared with the placebo group [97.50% vs 77.50%, P = 0.0143]. The times to resolution of vulvar pruritus, pain, and abnormal discharge in the Kushen Gel group were all shorter than those in the placebo group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). At the 25—31 days post-treatment follow-up, the mycological recurrence rate was 10.53% (2/19) in the Kushen Gel group, which was lower than that in the placebo group (23.81%, 5/21). The incidence of adverse events was low in both groups, with no statistically significant difference between groups (P > 0.05), and no serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion The combination of Kushen Gel with oral fluconazole can alleviate clinical symptoms, enhance short-term clinical efficacy, and may help reduce the recurrence rate, as well as, the recovery of vaginal microecology in patients with VVC. The treatment is safe and possesses significant clinical value.

Objective To investigate the composition and differential characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus (FCB) from six legally authorized origins, and provide a reference for origin identification and quality evaluation of FCB. Methods Headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) was employed to analyze the volatile components in dried bulbs of Fritillaria cirrhosa, F. unibracteata, F. przewalskii, F. delavayi, F. taipaiensis and F. unibracteata var. Wabuensis. Qualitative matching was performed using the built-in NIST and IMS database of GC-IMS Library Search. Principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied to evaluate the differences in volatile components among samples from different origins. Results A total of 90 volatile organic compounds were preliminarily identified, mainly including aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, esters, carboxylic acids, pyrazines, and sulfur-containing compounds. Among them, aldehydes, alcohols, and ketones were the major categories. PCA and OPLS-DA results indicated that FCB samples from the six origins could be well distinguished. Based on variable importance in projection (VIP) values, 17 potential differential markers were screened out, including ethyl acetate, 2-propanone, α-phellandrene, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, methyl acetate, 2-propanethiol, 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine, propyl acetate, 3-methylbutanal, 1-butanol, 2-methyl-2-propenal, hexanal, 3-methyl-1-pentanol, 2-methylpropanoic acid, 3-butenenitrile, benzaldehyde, and 2-octanone. Cluster heatmap analysis further demonstrated that the above differential compounds could reflect the volatile metabolic characteristics of FCB from different origins. Conclusion HS-GC-IMS combined with chemometrics can effectively characterize the differences in volatile organic compounds among FCB from different origins, providing technical reference for origin identification, quality evaluation, and characteristic component screening of FCB.