Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs

Keyword visualization and mechanistic insights into traditional Chinese medicine against colorectal cancer

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(8): 3173-3188.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract worldwide, with its morbidity and mortality consistently ranking among the highest of all cancers. The development and progression of CRC involve complex pathological mechanisms mediated by multiple genes and pathways. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its characteristics of multi-component, multi-target, and low toxicity, has demonstrated unique advantages in intervening in CRC. Through holistic regulation across multiple pathways and levels, TCM shows significant potential in inhibiting tumor growth, inducing apoptosis, suppressing angiogenesis, reversing multi-drug resistance, and modulating the tumor microenvironment. CiteSpace was used to conduct a visual analysis of Chinese and English literature on TCM for CRC treatment, focusing on keyword co-occurrence networks, keyword clustering maps, and burst word detection, aiming to intuitively present research hotspots in this field. Furthermore, the latest advances in the mechanisms of action and molecular targets of Chinese herbal compound formulas, herb pairs, and single herb along with its active constituents against CRC were systematically reviewed. This provides a theoretical foundation for the clinical application and drug development of TCM in the field of CRC.

Research progress on treatment of prostate cancer with traditional Chinese medicine guided by “Chuzhuo Peiben” theory

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(8): 3189-3195.

“Chuzhuo Peiben” theory, proposed by nationally renowned Chinese medicine expert Professor Jia Yingjie, plays an important role in guiding the treatment of prostate cancer with traditional Chinese medicine. This article reviews the theory from the perspectives of theoretical interpretation, evidence integration, and paradigm construction. It systematically elucidates the dynamic pathogenesis model of “deficiency of the primordial foundation-coagulation of cancerous turbidity” and demonstrates the core logic of the strategy “tonifying the spleen surpasses tonifying the kidney” in circumventing androgen-related risks and remodeling the tumor microenvironment. In terms of clinical practice, it analyzes the staging-based dynamic treatment system centered around the “Jianpi Lishi Huayu Formula” and evaluates its synergistic value in combined therapy for “enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity” and “delaying drug resistance.” At the mechanistic level, it integrates multidisciplinary evidence to construct a stereoscopic action network that spans from “multi-target synergistic prediction” to “core pathway experimental validation” and further to “tumor immune microenvironment remodeling,” thereby clarifying the biological basis of integrative intervention. The review also summarizes three core paradigmatic values of TCM intervention. In response to current research challenges, it proposes strategies such as designing prospective platform trials, applying multi-omics technologies, and constructing TCM-specific core outcome sets to promote the development of this field toward evidence-based and precision medicine paradigms.

Multi-target regulation of traditional Chinese medicine based on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway: A new perspective for obesity treatment

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(8): 3196-3209.

Obesity, a chronic metabolic disease prevalent worldwide, is closely associated with complications such as type 2 diabetes, metabolism-related fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. The phosphatidylinositol-3-hydroxykinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway is a core hub for regulating cell growth, metabolism, and insulin signal transduction, and its dysfunction is a key molecular mechanism driving the occurrence and development of obesity and its complications. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its multi-component, multi-target, and holistic regulatory features, has demonstrated unique potential in the prevention and treatment of obesity. This review systematically explains the molecular composition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and its core regulatory role in the energy metabolism of multiple tissues, including adipose, liver, muscle, cardiovascular, pancreatic, and brain. It also deeply analyzes the pathological connection between this pathway and chronic inflammation, lipid metabolism imbalance, and abnormal cell proliferation in obesity. It also focuses on summarizing the active ingredients of TCM, such as saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides, as well as the pharmacological mechanisms of classic compound prescriptions in improving obesity through precise regulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Existing evidence shows that TCM can effectively regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, alleviate insulin resistance, and inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress by activating or inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling, thereby intervening in obesity and its complications through multiple pathways. This provides an important theoretical basis and research direction for explaining the modern scientific connotation of metabolic regulation in TCM and promoting the development of targeted treatment strategies.

Research progress on multi-target mechanisms and translational strategies of aloe-emodin in antitumor therapy

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(8): 3210-3222.

Malignant tumors remain the leading cause of death in China. Their pathogenesis and progression involve multifaceted mechanisms, including genetic mutations, aberrant activation of signaling pathways, and dysregulation of the tumor microenvironment. Current clinical management continues to face significant challenges, such as chemotherapy resistance and the limited efficacy of targeted therapies. Aloe-emodin (AE), a primary anthraquinone active constituent found in the traditional medicinal plant Aloe, demonstrates a promising multi-targeted and multi-mechanistic profile as an anti-tumor agent. This review systematically elucidates the antitumor mechanisms and related research progress of AE, specifically highlighting the induction of autophagy via inhibition of the protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis, the promotion of apoptosis through activation of mitochondrial pathways, the suppression of invasion and metastasis by downregulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and the enhancement of antitumor activity via modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment. Additionally, AE enhances antitumor activity by modulating the immune microenvironment. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of AE is validated through structural optimization and drug combination strategies. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of AE and anticipates its clinical translation, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for cancer therapy and inform the development of novel treatment modalities.

Research progress on traditional Chinese medicine for prevention and treatment of gouty arthritis based on autophagy regulatory mechanisms

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(8): 3223-3239.

Gouty arthritis (GA) is an inflammatory disease arising from autoimmune responses, with a complex pathogenesis. Research indicates that monosodium urate (MSU) crystals, formed by prolonged elevated uric acid levels, play a crucial role in the development of GA. MSU crystals can induce immune responses that promote inflammation, oxidative stress (OS), neutrophil extracellular traps, apoptosis, and macrophage polarization within joint tissues. These immune responses cause severe damage to joint cells and tissues, further inducing the onset of GA. Existing research indicates that the “autophagy-gout” intervention mechanism aligns closely with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory of “struggle between healthy qi and pathogenic qi”. Activating autophagy stimulates the body's righteous energy by degrading damaged cells and proteins, maintaining cellular homeostasis, and promoting adenosine triphosphate production for energy supply. This enables the righteous energy to self-regulate, self-repair, and resist pathogenic factors, thereby improving gout conditions. Extensive TCM research demonstrates that active herbal extracts such as dihydrodanshikeniol I and diosgenin total saponins, along with TCM formulas like Duhuo Jisheng Decoction and Danggui Sini Decoction, can effectively inhibit the aforementioned immune responses, significantly alleviate inflammation and OS in GA joint tissues, and reduce joint pain and swelling. This suggests that TCM intervention targeting autophagy may represent a promising therapeutic avenue for GA. Based on this, this paper details the mechanisms of autophagy in GA and potential intervention targets, aiming to provide new effective approaches for developing GA treatment strategies.

Research progress on pharmacology and compatibility of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus

LIAN Kun, LI Jiamei, LUO Haojia, JIANG Wenfei, LI Lin, DENG Ying, HU Zhixi

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(8): 3240-3250.

Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, the dried mature fruit of Ligustrum lucidum Ait., has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidney and improving eyesight and blackening hair. It can be used to treat dizziness, tinnitus, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, and premature graying of hair and beard. Studies have shown that Ligustri Lucidi Fructus contains a variety of active components such as triterpenoids, phenolic glycosides, sesquiterpenoids and flavonoids, and has multiple pharmacological effects including antioxidation, anti-aging, immune regulation, liver protection and lipid reduction, anti-inflammation and anti-tumor. The processing of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus has a long history and diverse methods, such as wine-making, salt-making and vineging-making, etc. Different processing methods may alter the nature, taste, meridian tropism and active ingredients of drugs, directly affecting their clinical efficacy and indications. Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, as a resource that can be used both as medicine and food, has relatively high safety. It can be used to treat various diseases such as hair loss, menstrual disorders, chronic hepatitis, diabetic nephropathy and cancer. This article systematically reviews for the first time the research progress made in the pharmacological components and extraction, pharmacological effects and mechanisms, processing methods and efficacy, formula compatibility and application of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus. It innovatively proposes the future research directions and challenges, to provide reference and inspiration for Ligustri Lucidi Fructus research.

Innovative strategy for natural medicines based on “physiology-mechanism-pathology” reverse development model

LIANG Hongbao, YUAN Xiaomei, LIU Xiaoqing, LAN Linxin, LIU Yue, YANG Min

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(8): 3251-3260.

Evaluation models for the development value of traditional natural product-based drugs often take the direct construction of disease or pathological models as a precursor. By observing the strength of drug efficacy, further evaluation of in-depth drugability is carried out. However, this traditional approach shows significant randomness and blindness, inevitably leading to a substantial increase in development difficulty and a sharp rise in research and development (R&D) costs. In contrast, the reverse development model based on “physiology-mechanism-pathology” innovatively starts with normal animal models. First, it comprehensively and meticulously observes the physiological effects and toxic effects caused by natural products, and then delves into their underlying mechanisms of action. Based on this, it infers the potential pharmacological activities in a reverse manner. Finally, it specifically designs and constructs corresponding disease or pathological models for rigorous verification. This strategy, through the accurate analysis of the interaction rules between natural products and the body and the effective integration of clues provided by pharmacological effects, achieves precise model construction and scientific evaluation of effectiveness, significantly improving the success rate and efficiency of R&D to a certain extent. In this study, the whole process of the model was practiced with ginkgo terpenoid lactones as the research object, and its new pharmacological activity of reducing bilirubin and anti-jaundice was successfully discovered, which verified the feasibility and practicability of the model. This paper systematically reviews and deeply analyzes the background, basic principles, and technical processes of this innovative approach. At the same time, it predicts and prospects its diverse application prospects in the field of natural medicine R&D. The aim is to provide a solid theoretical basis and forward-looking direction for promoting the strategic innovation and practical application of natural medicine R&D.

Chemical components of intestinal bacterial transformation products from total saponins of Platycodonis Radix and their anti-drug-induced liver injury activity

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2445-2455.

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents of the intestinal bacteria transformation products of total saponins from Platycodon grandiflorus and their anti-drug-induced liver injury activity. Methods The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography techniques including AB-8 macroporous resin, normal phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 gel chromatography, and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were identified based on physicochemical properties, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data. The anti-drug-induced liver injury activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated using an acetaminophen-induced AML12 cell hepatic injury model. Results A total of 16 compounds were isolated from the intestinal bacteria transformation products of total saponins from P. grandifloras and identified as 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-2β,3β,16α,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid-28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside (1), polygalacin D (2), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl platycodigenin (3), platycodin D₃ (4), platycoside F (5), platycodin D (6), deapio-platycodin D (7), platycodonoid B (8), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl polygalacic acid (9), leiyemudanoside A (10), linoleic acid (11), (6Z,9Z)-6,9-hexadecadienoic acid (12), glyceryl linoleate (13), (2S)-1-O-(9Z,12Z-octadecandienyl)-3-O-β-galactosyl glycerol (14), dibutyl phthalate (15), and triallyl isocyanurate (16). Anti-drug-induced liver injury activity study showed that compounds 1—3, 5—7, 9, and 14 significantly inhibited the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in acetaminophen-induced AML12 cell supernatants (P < 0.05,0.01). Conclusion A total of 16 compounds were successfully isolated and identified from the intestinal bacterial transformation products from total saponins of P. grandiflorus. Compound 1 is a new compound named des-apio-xylosyl polygalacin D. Compounds 1—3, 5—7, 9, and 14 exhibit significant anti-drug-induced liver injury activities, showing potential hepatoprotective effects.

A new diterpene compound from Alstonia mairei and its antifungal activity

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2456-2462.

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents from the twigs and leaves of Alstonia mairei and to evaluate their antifungal activity. Methods The separation and purification were conducted by a variety of chromatographic separation techniques, including MCI, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). The antifungal activity of the selected compounds was evaluated against Candida albicans CMCC98001 and Aspergillus niger R330 using the microbroth dilution method. Results A total of eight compounds were isolated from the twigs and leaves of A. mairei, including one new compound, ent-12-hydroxy-16-methylol-atisane-3-one (1), and seven known compounds, 17-acetylsarpagine (2), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-oxo-β-carboline (3), vinorine N₄-oxide (4), vinorine (5), yohimbine (6), hancockinol (7), ent-16β, 17-dihydroxyatlsan-3-one (8). The MICs of compound 1 and 8 against A. niger R330 were 12.5 and 6.25 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion Compound 1 is a new diterpenoid named alstomanoid A, and compounds 3, 7 and 8 are isolated from the genus of A. mairei for the first time. Compounds 1 and 8 show antifungal effect against A. niger R330.

Chemical composition of Euonymus alatus

WANG Yihang, DU Yuxuan, GUO Xinxin, ZHANG Xiaowei, XUE Guimin, WANG Pan, XU Jiangyan

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2463-2468.

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents of Euonymus alatus. Methods Separation and purification were performed using normal- and reversed-phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The structures of the obtained compounds were identified using NMR, MS, and X-Ray techniques. The protective effect of the compound against podocyte injury was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. Results Six compounds were isolated and purified from the dichloromethane fraction of the 95% ethanol extract of E. alatus, namely 3β-hydroxy-24-norhopa-4(23) (1), acetyl ursolic acid (2), betulinic acid (3), foliasalaci A4 (4), betulonicacid (5), and ursolic acid lactone (6). Moreover, compound 1 has a significant protective effect against MPC5 cell damage induced by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Conclusion Compound 1 is a new compound, named 2,4-dehydrowhite birch resinol. All the other compounds were isolated from this plant and plants of the same genus. Compound 1 exhibits anti-podocyte injury activity in a concentration-dependent manner.