Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs

Effect of light quality on growth characteristics, main active substances accumulation, and key genes expression of Angelica sinensis

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2730-2739.

Objective To find out the optimal light quality for plant growth and bioactive metabolites accumulation of Angelica sinensis, and provide references for regulating the growth and metabolites product accumulation of A. sinensis. Methods The A. sinensis plants grown in pots were exposed to three different light qualities (red, blue, and infrared light) with white light as the control (CK), the growth characteristics of plants, contents of main bioactive metabolites, and expression level of key genes were determined. Results There were significant differences in the growth characteristics, main bioactive metabolites accumulation, and key genes expression of A. sinensis under different light qualities. Compared with the CK, blue light significantly promoted plant height, root length, chlorophyll content, and stomatal aperture; red light and infrared light could promote some growth parameters (e.g., plant height and aerial parts dry weight) to some extent; however, the blue, red, or infrared light had no significant effect on biomass accumulation. Red light significantly promoted soluble sugar accumulation, blue light significantly promoted total flavonoids accumulation, while infrared light significantly promoted accumulation of ferulic acid, ligustilide and total phenolics as well as in vitro antioxidant capacity. The three light qualities could promote the expression levels of almost genes related to the biosynthesis of main bioactive metabolites (i.e., ferulic acid, flavonoids, volatile oils, and polysaccharides); for example, the caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene involved in ferulic acid biosynthesis showed the highest upregulation under blue light, the chalcone isomerase 2 (CHI2) gene involved in flavonoid biosynthesis was significantly upregulated under infrared light; and the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS) gene involved in volatile oil biosynthesis was significantly upregulated under red light. Conclusion Monochromatic light qualities (blue, red, and infrared light) presented specific effects on the growth and main bioactive metabolites accumulation in A. sinensis, thus, the regulatory effect of combined lights on the growth and metabolites accumulation requires further study.

Differences in chemical components and precise discrimination between Aurantii Fructus Immaturus and Aurantii Fructus based on maximum information entropy combined with total statistical moment-entropy weighted TOPSIS method

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2740-2750.

Objective To achieve precise discrimination between Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, AFI) and Zhiqiao (Aurantii Fructus, AF), as well as to analyze samples from different geographical origins, using the maximum information entropy principle combined with total statistical moment analysis and entropy-weighted TOPSIS method, thereby providing a scientific basis for their rational clinical application. Methods The UPLC fingerprint conditions for 15 batches of AFI and 15 batches of AF were optimized based on the maximum information entropy principle. Total statistical moment analysis was employed to compare the two, combined with multi-component quantification and entropy-weighted TOPSIS for systematic evaluation, the key chemical components that distinguish the two were obtained, and comprehensive scores were calculated to classify AFI, AF, and samples from different origins. Results Under the maximum information entropy principle, the optimal UPLC fingerprint conditions for AFI and AF were determined at a detection wavelength of 245 nm. Total statistical moment parameters revealed significant differences in overall chemical composition between AFI and AF (P < 0.05), with the total chemical content of AFI being 2.26 times higher than that of AF. Entropy-weighted TOPSIS analysis ranked the contribution weights (W_j) of nine quantified components in descending order: neohesperidin > naringenin > hesperidin > eriocitrin > tangeretin > synephrine > narirutin > naringin > nobiletin. AFI samples generally scored higher than AF, with those from Ji’an (Jiangxi) ranking highest among AFI and those from Changde (Hunan) ranking highest among AF. Conclusion The established method effectively distinguishes AFI from AF with high specificity and demonstrates robust discriminative capability for samples of different geographical origins. Comprehensive scores showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05), providing an objective basis for the precise application of these medicinal materials.

Mechanistic analysis and application exploration of traditional Chinese medicine in intervention of metabolic syndrome based on phytochemical networks

FU Qingqing, FAN Mingyuan, YAO Qiyuan, WANG Qiangyan, QIU Jun, YUAN Jiushu, XIE Hongyan, GAO Hong

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2751-2767.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by central obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. At its core, MetS involves dysfunction of multi-organ metabolic networks, whereas current single-target pharmacological strategies are insufficient to address its complexity. Based on the emerging recognition of the gut microbiota as a central hub of metabolic regulation, this study systematically reviews the mechanisms of disrupted inter-organ communication in MetS mediated through the gut-liver axis, gut-brain axis, gut-adipose axis, and gut-cardiovascular axis. Phytochemicals derived from traditional Chinese medicine can exert multi-target interventions on key pathological processes, including insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, through four interconnected mechanisms: remodeling gut microbial composition, regulating microbial metabolites, restoring intestinal barrier integrity, and modulating host signaling pathways. By synthesizing evidence on representative traditional Chinese medicines, this study further distills a shared “multi-component-microbiome-multi-target” framework of action. This framework provides a scientific basis for the development of a novel theoretical paradigm for the systemic management of MetS and highlights potential directions for future practice. Looking ahead, the integration of multi-omics approaches and computational modeling is expected to facilitate the exploration of precision nutrition interventions and drug development based on this framework.

Research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Sinapis Semen and its quality-related effective components analysis

LI Shuxian, ZHU Zihan, SHAO Junran, DING Mengxiang, YANG Li, YANG Yifang, LIU Wenjun, WANG Tuanjie, WANG Zhenzhong, CAO Liang, XIAO Wei, LI Haibo

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2768-2786.

Jiezi (Sinapis Semen), as an essential herb for warming and resolving cold phlegm, possesses the effects of warming the lungs, dispelling phlegm, promoting qi flow, dispersing nodules, unblocking collaterals, and relieving pain. It plays a significant role in clinical applications of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Modern research has shown that Sinapis Semen primarily contains various chemical components such as glucosinolates, sinapine, flavonoids, and volatile oils. Among these, sinapine thiocyanate is listed as the quality control indicator for Sinapis Semen in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. However, the current quality evaluation indicators for Sinapis Semen remain relatively limited, making it difficult to comprehensively reflect its overall material basis of effective components, and further in-depth research is still needed. This article systematically and comprehensively reviews the research progress on the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of Sinapis Semen. Based on three essential criteria of effective components (identification, dose-effect precision, and mechanism clarification) and the “five principles” of quality markers for TCM—effectiveness, specificity, measurability, transmission and traceability, and compatibility environment, this study identifies sinalbin, sinigrin, sinapine, sinapine thiocyanate, and allyl isothiocyanate as potential core components for the quality evaluation of Sinapis Semen. This review can provide a theoretical reference for establishing a more scientific and comprehensive quality control system for Sinapis Semen.

Research progress on compatibility rules and clinical application of Gastrodia elata and its marketed preparations

LEI Xiaohu, LI Zhiping, LIU Shulei, CHEN Chen

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2787-2798.

Gastrodia elata is a precious traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with the effects of calming wind to relieve convulsion and suppressing liver yang, and it is mainly used for the treatment of diseases of nervous and cardiovascular-cerebrovascular systems. Through retrieval and statistics, 171 TCM prescriptions containing G. elata were identified, involving 392 TCMs. These herbs are mostly warm or cold in nature, predominantly bitter and pungent in flavor, and their meridian tropism is mainly attributed to the liver, spleen and heart meridians. Data analysis identified seven Chinese medicinal combinations and four categories of core drugs. There are ten dosage forms of the preparations, with pills and capsules as the main types. Their core efficacies focus on wind syndrome, blood stasis syndrome and deficiency syndrome, and they are indicated for stroke, rheumatic arthralgia and certain pediatric diseases. Contraindications remain unclear for 52% of TCM prescriptions containing G. elata, and some explicitly state that they are forbidden for pregnant women, children and other populations. By systematically analyzing the marketed medicinal products containing G. elata, this study constructs a complete evidence chain of “chemical components-pharmacological effects-formulation rules-clinical positioning”, which provides a scientific reference for the rational clinical application, in-depth research and development of G. elata, and also offers valuable insights for the modernization of TCM.

Research progress on traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of sepsis-associated acute lung injury by inhibiting ferroptosis

FAN Guoqi, CHEN Qi, WANG Fangfang, LIU Liwei, WEI Zheng, LI Duolu, LI Xiaojing, FENG Xueqiong, ZUO Lihua, SUN Zhi

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2799-2808.

Sepsis-associated acute lung injury (SA-ALI) is a common and life-threatening complication in critically ill patients, for which current therapeutic options remain limited. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exhibits multi-target and multi-pathway regulatory effects with relatively few adverse reactions, showing promising potential in the prevention and treatment of SA-ALI. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, driven by iron metabolism dysregulation, uncontrolled lipid peroxidation chain reaction, and impaired antioxidant defense systems, and it plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of SA-ALI. Emerging evidence indicates that TCM agents—such as curcumin, Ginkgo leaves extract, and Xuebijing Injection—can suppress ferroptosis by activating antioxidant signaling pathways, promoting glutathione synthesis, and restoring iron homeostasis, thereby alleviating pulmonary tissue damage. This article systematically reviews recent advances in TCM-mediated targeting of ferroptosis for SA-ALI, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing clinical strategies and developing novel therapeutics.

Research progress on mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine regulating immune metabolism

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2809-2824.

The dynamic balance of the immunometabolic network constitutes the core of maintaining organismal homeostasis, and the close crosstalk between immune cell functional remodeling and metabolic reprogramming exerts a pivotal regulatory role in the occurrence and progression of diseases. Adhering to the core characteristic of holistic regulation and treatment based on syndrome differentiation, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) features the inherent advantages of multi-component and multi-target actions, which are highly consistent with the systematic regulatory demands of the immunometabolic network. This paper systematically reviews the application paradigms of modern technologies including high-throughput sequencing, single-cell metabolomics and metabolic flux analysis in TCM immunometabolism research, and focuses on elaborating the metabolic regulatory mechanisms of TCM monomers (flavonoids, polysaccharides, saponins, etc.) and compound prescriptions on core immune cells such as macrophages, T cells, dendritic cells, B cells and neutrophils. Meanwhile, it analyzes the key bottlenecks in current research, including the unbalanced research on immune cell subtypes, ambiguous correlation between active components and target networks, and the disconnection between TCM syndrome types and metabolic phenotypes. Furthermore, innovative research directions are proposed, such as multi-omics technology integration, artificial intelligence-assisted target prediction and correlation analysis of syndrome type-metabolic phenotype, so as to provide a scientific basis and practical reference for the modernization of TCM and the metabolic regulatory therapy for immune-related diseases.

Research progress on herbal textual research, identification, pharmacological effects and clinical applications of Anisomeles indica

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2825-2835.

Anisomeles indica, traditional medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is utilized in ethnomedicine for the treatment of rheumatism, colds and fevers, as well as skin infections. Currently, the research about A. indica is relatively limited. In this review, a systematic summary of domestic and international literature has been done, providing a comprehensive review of its phytomorphological characteristics, herbalogical textual research, botanical identification, pharmacological activities, and clinical applications. Herbalogical studies confirm that the original plant should be designated as Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze. It exhibits morphological similarities to Pogostemon cablin and Siegesbeckia orientalis, and its nomenclature is easily confused with “Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata)”. The use of local folk medicinal varieties requires standardization. The whole herb of A. indica is employed medicinally, possessing the properties of dispelling wind, releasing the exterior, regulating “qi” and alleviating pain. It demonstrates significant pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticancer, and antibacterial activities. Clinically, both the single herb and compound preparations are used to treat series diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, common cold, and eczema. Furthermore, this review discusses the potential prospects for the development of A. indica, aiming to provide a reference for further research and its clinical application.

Research progress on pathogenesis of insomnia and prevention-treatment of traditional Chinese medicine

YU Lixia, ZOU Yunjiao, CHENG Panpan, DUAN Yucen, WANG Yizhou, LI Yuhan, MA Yi, JIN Ling

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2836-2847.

Insomnia disorder, a highly prevalent and often chronic sleep disorder globally, exhibits a continuously rising incidence rate. It is frequently comorbid with various complications such as anxiety and depression, severely impacting patients’ physical and mental health as well as social functioning. Current treatment strategies for insomnia are primarily based on non-pharmacological interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy, while pharmacological interventions are required when significant sleep dysfunction and accompanying symptoms are present. However, existing medications are associated with limitations including addiction potential and rebound insomnia upon discontinuation, and no specific curative drugs targeting the root cause of insomnia is currently available. Modern medical research suggests that the pathogenesis of insomnia involves multifactorial interactions, including neurotransmitter imbalances, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction, hormonal disturbances, and abnormal expression of circadian clock genes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), leveraging its multi-mechanism, multi-pathway, and multi-target advantages, demonstrates unique potential in improving core symptoms of insomnia, delaying disease progression, reducing relapse risk, and synergistically ameliorating comorbid conditions. Nevertheless, existing studies still lack intuitive elucidation of the pathogenesis of insomnia and its interactive relationships, and there is particularly limited research systematically correlating and integrating these mechanisms with TCM regulatory effects and signaling pathways. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews and analyzes database literature to summarize the pathogenesis of insomnia and TCM prevention and treatment research, aiming to provide scientific evidence and theoretical support for the clinical application of TCM in treating insomnia disorder.

Advances in material basis and biological mechanisms of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata in prevention and treatment of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(7): 2848-2864.

Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), a fundamental herb in traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used to nourish kidney essence and replenish marrow. It is commonly applied in the prevention and treatment of syndromes related to “kidney essence deficiency”. Modern research has revealed its potential therapeutic value in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Given the complex pathological mechanisms of both conditions and the current lack of effective clinical treatments, studies suggest that NDDs and NDs share common neuropathological mechanisms. Traditional Chinese medicine theory posits that “kidney essence deficiency” is a key pathological mechanism underlying both disorders. This article, while reviewing the therapeutic advantages of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata in treating NDDs and NDs, aims to provide an in-depth analysis of its potential biological mechanisms in preventing and treating these two categories of diseases through its action of “tonifying the kidney and replenishing essence”. Furthermore, it seeks to offer new insights into the herb’s role in promoting neurodevelopment and intervening in neurodegenerative processes, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of its pharmacological mechanisms and supporting subsequent drug development. This study also provides scientific evidence for the application of the TCM principles of “tonifying the kidney and replenishing essence” and “treating different diseases with the same method” in the field of neurological disorders, contributing to the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.