Objective Light is one of the important ecological factors for the growth, development, and secondary metabolism of leaf-using medicinal plants. To conduct genome-wide identification and expression characterization analysis of the MYB transcription factor family (EpMYB) in Epimedium pubescens, and to deeply explore the biological functions of EpMYB in response to light factors. Methods Based on the published genome of E. pubescens, bioinformatics methods were used to identify members of the EpMYB gene family, and analyze their physicochemical properties, chromosomal distribution, phylogenetic evolution, gene structure, and cis-acting elements. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was applied to analyze the expression characteristics of EpMYB in E. pubescens leaves under different light qualities. Results A total of 87 EpMYB genes (EpMYB1 to EpMYB87) were identified, which were subdivided into 14 subfamilies. The encoded amino acids ranged from 150 to 561 aa, with relative molecular weights of proteins from 17 857.76 to 61 369.56 and isoelectric points between 4.62 and 10.75. Gene structure analysis showed that all EpMYB genes contained similar conserved domains. Cis-element prediction indicated that light-responsive elements, methyl jasmonate, and auxin elements were widely distributed in the promoter regions of the EpMYB gene family. Genome-wide collinearity analysis revealed that whole-genome duplication and segmental duplication played crucial roles in the evolution of the EpMYB gene family, and strong purifying selection occurred after duplication. RT-qPCR analysis of the expression characteristics of 24 potential light-responsive EpMYB genes showed that the number of EpMYB genes significantly upregulated under yellow and blue light was much higher than that under red light. Blue light significantly upregulated the expression of 14 EpMYB genes such as EpMYB25, yellow light significantly upregulated seven EpMYB genes such as EpMYB16, and only EpMYB54 and EpMYB57 were significantly upregulated under red light. Conclusion Genome-wide identification and bioinformatics analysis of the EpMYB gene family in E. pubescens revealed that EpMYB genes respond more actively to blue light regulation, laying a foundation for further clarification of the functions of EpMYB genes in E. pubescens.

Objective To systematically define the composition and structural features of the AP2/ERF family in Oplopanax elatus and to characterize its transcriptional responses to methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Methods Using bioinformatics tools such as HMM, TBtools, and MAFFT to conduct genome-wide identification of AP2/ERF family members, phylogenetic inference, and analyses of protein physicochemical properties, gene structures, and promoter cis-acting elements. In vitro–cultured adventitious roots were treated with 75 μmol/L MeJA for 0–12 h, followed by RNA-seq to profile time-resolved expression patterns of AP2/ERF genes. Results We identified 167 AP2/ERF genes, classified into five subfamilies—ERF, DREB, AP2, RAV, and B3—distributed across 12 chromosomes. Members exhibited broad variation in protein properties (amino acid length, 100—699 aa; molecular mass, 11 410—76 697; isoelectric point, 4.45—11.22; instability index, 23.47—78.46; aliphatic index, 45.52—83.15; grand average of hydropathicity [GRAVY], -1.245 to -0.240). Promoter analysis revealed enrichment of cis-elements associated with light responsiveness, hormone signaling, and stress regulation. RNA-seq showed that MeJA treatment markedly upregulated root-expressed genes encoding enzymes in the triterpenoid saponin pathway. Thirty-two OeAP2/ERF members were MeJA-inducible, among which OeAP2/ERF4, OeAP2/ERF48, OeAP2/ERF131, and OeAP2/ERF143 maintained high expression levels in roots. Conclusion This work delineates the composition and structural characteristics of the AP2/ERF family in O. elatus and defines its time-resolved transcriptional responses to MeJA. Four root-preferential, positively MeJA-responsive transcription factors (OeAP2/ERF4, OeAP2/ERF48, OeAP2/ERF131, and OeAP2/ERF143) are prioritized as key candidates, providing a foundation for functional dissection of AP2/ERF-mediated regulation of triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis and for subsequent metabolic engineering.

Objective This study aimed to systematically analyze the chemical constituents of the classical Chinese herbal formula Yinchen Wuling San (YCWLS) and identify its prototype components absorbed into the bloodstream using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS). Methods The standard aqueous extract of YCWLS was prepared by decoction. UPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS, combined with a self-built chemical database, was employed for qualitative analysis of the chemical constituents in the extract. A rat gavage administration experiment was conducted, and serum samples were collected. Prototype components absorbed into the bloodstream and metabolites were screened and identified by comparing the total ion chromatograms of blank serum and drug-containing serum. Results A total of 192 chemical constituents were identified in the aqueous extract of YCWLS, encompassing diverse structural types such as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, coumarins, fatty acids, and nucleosides. Among these, 17 components were absorbed into the bloodstream in their prototype forms, including chlorogenic acid, 3-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, feruloyl putrescine, 2,5-dihydroxycinnamic acid, 2-methoxycinnamic acid, and 1-caffeoylquinic acid, etc. Conclusion This study comprehensively characterized the chemical composition group of the standard aqueous extract of YCWLS, elucidated its prototype components absorbed into the bloodstream and speculated its serum metabolites. The findings provide a crucial foundation for understanding the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of action of this formula. Additionally, the methodology established herein offers a valuable reference for the modern research of other classical Chinese herbal prescription.

Objective To investigate the ameliorative effect of combination of schisandrin B (Sch B) and platycodin D (PD) on pulmonary fibrosis, and explore whether it acts by inhibiting Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) pathway and regulating the balance of macrophage M1/M2 polarization. Methods A rat model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. The rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, prednisone (5 mg/kg) group, Sch B (10 mg/kg) group, PD (20 mg/kg) group and Sch B + PD group, with eight rats in each group. After 28 d of administration, lung index was measured. Pathological changes in lung tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson and Sirius red staining. Levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), as well as hydroxyproline (Hyp) level in lung tissue were detected. Expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and E-cadherin in lung tissue were assessed by immunofluorescence. The mRNA expressions of M1/M2 macrophage markers [inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), TNF-α, IL-1β, cluster of differentiation 206 (CD206), arginase 1 (Arg1) and IL-10] in lung tissue were measured by qRT-PCR. The expressions of JAK2/STAT6 pathway related proteins in lung tissue was determined by Western blotting. In vitro experiments, the effect of Sch B combined with PD on JAK2/STAT6 pathway were validated using an IL-4/IL-13-induced macrophage M2 polarization model. Results Compared with control group, lung index of rats in model group was significantly increased (P < 0.01), with a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in alveoli, increased alveolar diaphragmatic rupture and severe alveolar damage, levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 in BALF and Hyp in lung tissue were significantly increased (P < 0.01); The expression of α-SMA in lung tissue was significantly increased (P < 0.01), while the expression of E-cadherin was significantly decreased (P < 0.01); The expression levels of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, CD206 and Arg1 mRNA in lung tissue were significantly increased (P < 0.01), while the expression level of IL-10 mRNA was significantly decreased (P < 0.01); The expression levels of JAK2 and p-STAT6/STAT6 proteins in lung tissue were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared with model group, the combination of Sch B and PD could significantly reduce the lung index of rats (P < 0.01), improve pulmonary fibrosis pathological damage, inhibit the release of inflammatory factors and Hyp level in lung tissue (P < 0.01), reduce α-SMA expression (P < 0.01), partially restore E-cadherin expression (P < 0.01), significantly down-regulate iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, CD206, Arg1 mRNA expressions in lung tissue (P < 0.01), up-regulate IL-10 mRNA expression (P < 0.01), inhibit JAK2 and p-STAT6/STAT6 protein expressions (P < 0.01). The in vitro experimental results showed that compared with control group, the expression levels of CD206 and Arg1 mRNA in model group were significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the expressions of JAK2 and p-STAT6/STAT6 proteins were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.01); Compared with model group, the combination of Sch B and PD significantly inhibited the expressions of M2 polarization markers CD206 and Arg1 (P < 0.01), and down-regulated the expressions of JAK2 and p-STAT6/STAT6 proteins (P < 0.01). Compared with the group treated alone, the combination of Sch B and PD showed better efficacy (P < 0.05, 0.01). Conclusion The combination of Sch B and PD could synergistically alleviate pulmonary fibrosis, and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activation of JAK2/STAT6 pathway, thereby correcting the imbalance of M1/M2 macrophage polarization.

Objective To compare the contents of saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides in the extracts of stems and leaves of Panax notoginseng from different sources and different processes (DRNJE) and to study their lipid-regulating effects. Methods The solvent gradient extraction method was used to remove protein by degreasing with petroleum ether, extracting flavonoids with ethyl acetate, extracting saponins with water-saturated n-butanol and adjusting the ratio of chloroform to n-butanol to 25∶4∶1. The contents of saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides in the stem and leaf extracts of P. notoginseng were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometer, and the contents of monomer saponins Rb₃, Rb₁ and Rc were simultaneously detected by HPLC. HepG2 cells induced by pancreatic lipase and oleic acid were used to study the lipid-regulating effect of DRNJE. Results After decolorization by macroporous resin/ion exchange, the contents of total saponins, monomer saponins and overall functional components of P. notoginseng stem and leaf extracts Y0729, J0801, J1020, Y1114, J1031 and R1001 were high. The inhibitory activity of lipase from high to low is: Y0729 > J1031 > J1020 > R1001 > Y1114 > J0801 > Q0901 > Q1001 > W1107 > W1101. According to the results of oil red O staining, DRNJE has lipid-regulating effect, among which Y0729, J1020, J1031 and R1001 have better effects. Conclusion After decolorization by macroporous resin/ion exchange, the extract of P. notoginseng stems and leaves has high content of saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides, among which the extract of P. notoginseng stems and leaves with high saponin content has a significant effect on lipid regulation of HepG2 cells induced by lipase and oleic acid.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a cardiovascular end syndrome with high prevalence, high mortality and high re-hospitalization rate, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) injections have significant potential in the treatment of CHF because of their combination of TCM evidence-based features and rapid onset of action. Based on ten years of research, this paper systematically investigates the pharmacodynamic material basis and action characteristics of 30 TCM injections to fill the gap of systematic summarization in this field. The study classified TCM injections into three categories according to TCM diagnosis: Activating blood and resolving stasis, replenishing qi and nourishing yin, and warming yang and excreting water. Activating blood and resolving stasis TCM injections can improve microcirculation and inhibit myocardial fibrosis and inflammation; replenishing qi and nourishing yin TCM injections focuses on regulating myocardial energy metabolism and mitochondrial function; warming yang and excreting water TCM injections can regulate intestinal bacterial flora, improve the “intestinal-cardiac axis” and inhibit iron death, etc. The study is the first to integrate single and compound TCM injections, revealing the advantages of TCM injections in multi-component and multi-target interventions in the complex pathology of CHF. It provides systematic evidence on the pharmacodynamic substances, mechanism of action, and clinical application for the clinical treatment of CHF using integrated Chinese and Western medicine, and provides new ideas for the precise identification of drugs and innovative treatment strategies.

Cellular senescence, defined as a stable state of cell cycle arrest, serves as a pivotal molecular mechanism driving organismal aging and age-related chronic diseases. Pancreatic β-cells and adipocytes are often among the earliest affected cell populations in senescence-associated metabolic disorders and play a central regulatory role in disease progression. In type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the senescence of pancreatic β-cells and adipocytes has been established as a key driver of disease initiation and progression. Due to prolonged exposure to stress conditions such as high metabolic load and insulin signaling defects, pancreatic β-cells exhibit increased susceptibility to senescence, which directly leads to reduced cell numbers and impaired insulin secretory function. In contrast, adipocyte senescence significantly promotes systemic insulin resistance by altering the adipokine secretion profile and inducing chronic inflammation. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and their active components have demonstrated unique value in targeting cellular senescence. As senostatics and senolytics, TCM-derived ingredients can reduce or eliminate senescent pancreatic β-cells and adipocytes, thereby enhancing insulin secretion and improving insulin resistance, showing promising potential in delaying T2DM progression. Therefore, in-depth investigation of the mechanisms underlying TCM and their active components targeting of pancreatic β-cell or adipocyte senescence for T2DM treatment not only provides a novel perspective for understanding T2DM pathogenesis but also offers new therapeutic strategies for TCM-based prevention and management of geriatric T2DM.

Objective To systematically analyze the global patent landscape of berberine and its major derivatives, including berberine hydrochloride, dihydroberberine, and tetrahydroberberine, to identify technological development trends and research hotspots and provide references for innovative drug development, strategic patent layout, and the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine. Methods Based on global patent databases, patents related to berberine and its derivatives were retrieved and expanded by patent families. Keyword extraction and clustering analysis were applied to analyze diversified technological themes, application areas, and geographical distributions of different categories of berberine-related patent families. Results A total of 1 155 berberine, 494 berberine hydrochloride, and 65 dihydroberberine or tetrahydroberberine patent families were identified. China was the primary market for research and application. Patents mainly focused on pharmaceutical preparations and covered multiple indications, including metabolic syndrome, liver diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Conclusion Technological innovation in berberine and its derivatives remains active, with research hotspots concentrated on formulation optimization, expansion of therapeutic indications, and improvement of safety. Some enterprises have actively deployed patents in cocrystals, liposomes, nanoformulations, and compound preparations, indicating a continuous expansion from traditional active components of Chinese medicine toward modern pharmaceutical technologies and international applications.

Objective To analyze the quality marker (Q-Marker) of charred Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus) before and after processing based on fingerprint and multivariate statistical analysis, and guided by the differential components, optimize the processing technology of charred Crataegi Fructus using thermal analysis technology combined with single factor-response surface methodology, while quantitatively analyzing the color, odor, and taste before and after processing. Methods The HPLC fingerprint of charred Crataegi Fructus was established and subjected to multivariate statistical analysis to identify differential components before and after processing. Network pharmacology was further applied to preliminarily predict the potential action mechanisms of these differential components. The pyrolysis characteristics of Crataegi Fructus powder were analyzed using thermal analysis, and the screened markers—chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and isoquercitrin—were selected as indicator compounds. The weights of these indicators were determined using the AHP-CRITIC comprehensive weighting method. The optimal processing temperature and time were then optimized through single-factor experiments and response surface methodology. Finally, electronic sensory technology was employed to quantitatively analyze differences in color, odor, and taste between raw and charred Crataegi Fructus. Results The fingerprint of charred Crataegi Fructus exhibited 10 common peaks, among which four major chemical components were identified. The similarity of all tested samples exceeded 0.9. Multivariate statistical analysis effectively distinguished raw Crataegi Fructus from charred Crataegi Fructus. Based on the “Five Principles” of traditional Chinese medicine Q-Marker and supported by network pharmacological analysis, chlorogenic acid, rutin, isoquercitrin, and hyperoside were screened as Q-Marker reflecting the quality changes before and after processing. Using chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, and hyperoside among these Q-Marker as indicator compounds, the optimal processing parameters for charred Crataegi Fructus were optimized to 238 ℃ for 5.89 min. Electronic sensory evaluation revealed significant differences in color, odor, and taste between raw and charred Crataegi Fructus. Multivariate analysis of electronic nose data identified 11 sensors responding to compounds that serve as key indicators for discriminating between raw and processed products. Conclusion This study screened out the different components in the processing of charred Crataegi Fructus, and used them as the key index to optimize the processing technology of charred Crataegi Fructus, and determined the best processing technology. At the same time, the differences in color, odor and taste of charred Crataegi Fructus before and after processing were accurately quantified, which provided a scientific basis for the quality evaluation of charred Crataegi Fructus.

Chuanbeimu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus) is a representative species of rare and endangered medicinal plants in China. Due to overharvesting of wild resources and habitat fragmentation and degradation, its wild populations are nearing depletion and are currently listed as a national second-level protected plant. Artificial propagation has become the core method to alleviate the crisis of wild Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus resources and ensure the supply of medicinal materials for clinical use. However, challenges remain, including its high dependence on specific high-altitude habitats, narrow ecological adaptability, mixed seed sources and genetic degradation, long seedling cycles, frequent pest and disease outbreaks, and high seedling mortality rates. These issues still pose significant challenges to variety selection and large-scale cultivation of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus. This paper systematically reviews the current status of key areas such as genetic resource innovation and high-quality seed breeding, cultivation habitat adaptation optimization, pest and disease green control, and standardized harvesting and processing. It also outlines the recent research progress and technological breakthroughs in these fields. Based on this, the paper proposes a development strategy focused on genetic resource innovation and high-quality seed breeding, and the establishment of a comprehensive technical system for Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus covering resource protection, genetic innovation, variety selection, quality control, and intelligent processing. This strategy aims to provide a theoretical foundation and technical support for the sustainable use of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus resources and promote high-quality industry development.