Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs

Development of sex molecular identification markers in Cannabis sativa based on Y chromosome-specific region screening

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(4): 1473-1480.

Objective To address the difficulty of early sex identification in Cannabis sativa and the instability of existing molecular markers, this study developed stable and accurate sex identification molecular markers based on the structural characteristics of sex chromosomes of C. sativa. This approach aims to provide a reliable tool for early sex determination at the seedling stage. Methods By comprehensively utilizing multiple chromosome-level haplotype genomic data of C. sativa, the male-specific segments in the male-specific of Y (MSY) region were systematically compared and screened through bioinformatics methods. Specific molecular markers were then designed from large MSY fragments and tested for specificity and stability using 36 C. sativa samples with known sex (15 males and 21 females) through PCR amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis, and the newly developed markers were compared with previously reported ones (MADC5 and MADC6) for validation. Results A total of 15 648 Y chromosome-specific sequences were identified, from which 12 SCAR markers were developed. Among them, five markers (MSY99M-3, MSY99M-4, MSY99M-5, MSY100M-1, and MSY100M-7) consistently produced distinct male-specific bands in all male plants, without amplification in female samples, achieving 100% identification accuracy, which was superior to that of previously reported markers. Conclusion The SCAR markers developed from Y chromosome-specific regions demonstrated high specificity, stability, and relia, enabling rapid and precise early sex identification in C. sativa. These markers offer significant potential to enhance the production efficiency of medicinal cannabis and related products.

Quality differences of Paeoniae Radix Alba from different producing areas based on HS-GC-MS and electronic sensory technology

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(4): 1481-1491.

Objective: To compare the differences in color, taste and odor of Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) from different producing areas, and provide a reference for the quality evaluation of Paeoniae Radix Alba. Methods The chromaticity, taste and odor of Paeoniae Radix Alba from different origins were determined by spectrophotometer; electronic tongue and electronic nose. The volatile components of Paeoniae Radix Alba from different origins were identified and relatively quantified by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS), and multivariate statistical analyses were carried out to search for the differential volatile components of Paeoniae Radix Alba from different origins; and a pearson correlation analysis was conducted on the differential volatile components of Paeoniae Radix Alba from different origins and the electronic nose to find the basis of its odor substance. Results Anhui Bozhou Paeoniae Radix Alba powder has the highest L^* value, Shandong Caoxian Paeoniae Radix Alba powder has the highest a^* and b^* values, and the chromaticity value of Paeoniae Radix Alba powder from different places of origin varies significantly; the samples of Paeoniae Radix Alba from different places of origin can be clearly differentiated by the electronic tongue, and the differences in their flavour are mainly in the richness, astringency and saltiness; the differences in the odor are mainly in the W5S, W1S, W1W, W2S, W2W, W3S sensors, and the odor of the Paeoniae Radix Alba from Bozhou, Anhui Province has a unique odor which is clearly different from that of Paeoniae Radix Alba from Linan, Zhejiang Province, and Caoxian, Shandong Province. A total of 53 volatile components were identified by HS-GC-MS, and 22, 29 and 22 differential volatile components were screened between the samples of Paeoniae Radix Alba from Bozhou, Anhui and Linan, Zhejiang, Bozhou, Anhui and Caoxian, Shandong, and Linan, Zhejiang and Caoxian, Shandong, respectively, with 2-methylbutyraldehyde, 2-ethyl-5-methyltetrahydrofuran and furfural being the common differential component of Paeoniae Radix Alba in the three origins. A total of 17 components that caused differences in the odor of Paeoniae Radix Alba from different origins were identified through pearson correlation analysis. Conclusion The experiment can better distinguish the Paeoniae Radix Alba from different origins through the colourimeter, electronic nose and electronic tongue technology combined with HS-GC-MS, which can provide scientific basis for the identification and quality evaluation of Paeoniae Radix Alba from different origins.

Research progress on mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in regulating OPG/RANK/RANKL signaling pathway for intervention of breast cancer bone metastasis

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(4): 1492-1505.

Breast cancer bone metastasis (BCBM) is a common complication of breast cancer, which often induces bone pain, pathologic fractures, hypercalcemia, etc. The osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK)/RANK ligand (RANKL) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in development and progression of BCBM. Results has shown that this signaling pathway is closely related to osteoclast activation. The clinical treatment strategies for BCBM include bone-modifying drugs, molecularly targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. Both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomers and compound preparations are able to upregulate OPG expression to inhibit osteoclast activation and block the RANKL-mediated nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway activation, thereby suppressing the pathological progression of BCBM. However, the clinical application of TCM is still limited by factors such as uncertain pharmacokinetic characteristics, incomplete quality standards, and variations in therapeutic efficacy. Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of the OPG/RANK/RANKL signaling pathway in BCBM may therefore provide a theoretical foundation for developing TCM-based treatment strategies.

Research progress on Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma and its active constituents in prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(4): 1506-1519.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a complex pathogenesis and a lack of effective clinical treatments. Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma) is the most commonly used single herb in clinical practice for the prevention and management of AD, recognized for its cognitive-enhancing and phlegm-resolving properties. By integrating advances in research on AD pathological mechanisms, this study synthesizes current knowledge regarding the active components of Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma—including volatile components, alkaloids, organic acids, and terpenes—and their mechanisms of action in AD prevention and treatment. Evidence indicates that Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma and its bioactive constituents exert anti-AD effects through multiple pathways, such as suppressing neuroinflammation, inhibiting oxidative stress, enhancing cholinergic function, and restoring blood-brain barrier integrity. These findings underscore its multi-component, multi-target therapeutic potential in AD intervention. This review provides a theoretical basis for the rational clinical application of Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma and offers new perspectives for elucidating its modern pharmacological mechanisms.

Current application status of Scutellaria extract and baicalin in pharmaceutical field

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(4): 1520-1527.

Huangqin (Scutellaria Radix) is a traditional Chinese medicine. Scutellaria extract and main active ingredient baicalin have become an indispensable and important raw material in modern Chinese medicine preparations. The preparation technology, quality standards, regulatory policies and application status of Scutellaria extract and baicalin in Chinese patent medicine were reviewed. Scutellaria extract is managed as a traditional Chinese medicine extract and can only be used for oral Chinese patent medicine; Baicalin is used as a chemical raw material for association review. Its application scope is wider. In addition to oral Chinese patent medicine, it can also be used in injection, eye drops and other dosage forms. Scutellaria extract and baicalin are mixtures with baicalin as the main component, but the quality standard is a single baicalin as the quality control index. Many Chinese patent medicines containing Scutellaria extract and baicalin have been included in the medical insurance catalog and the list of over-the-counter drugs, indicating the importance of baicalin as a raw material of Chinese patent medicines. In order to ensure the safety and effectiveness of drug use, especially for baicalin for injection, we should further strengthen the control of exogenous pollutants and establish a multi-component total quality control system in the future.

Research progress of intelligent responsive hydrogels in skin photoaging repair

CHENG Haoran, LIANG Hao, CHEN Qiufang, LU Siting, DAI Jiaqin, SHI Jun

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(4): 1528-1537.

Skin photoaging is a type of skin damage caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation, clinically characterized mainly by wrinkle formation, pigmentation, reduced skin elasticity, and potential progression to precancerous lesions. In the treatment of skin photoaging, conventional pharmaceutical formulations often face challenges such as poor transdermal performance, weak targeting capability, and short drug retention time. In recent years, intelligent responsive hydrogels constructed based on various active ingredients such as phenolic acids, polysaccharides, and saponins have provided novel therapeutic strategies for the repair of skin photoaging. These hydrogels can not only load functional components with activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and collagen synthesis promotion but also autonomously respond to the microenvironment of photoaged skin, thereby achieving precise drug delivery. This paper systematically reviews the response mechanisms of intelligent responsive hydrogels and their research progress in the treatment of skin photoaging, aiming to provide new insights and theoretical references for the development of efficient and accurate topical formulations and to promote their application in this field.

Historical development of processing methods and modern quality control research for Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(4): 1538-1545.

As a commonly used bulk Chinese medicinal herb, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) has a long history of medicinal use and wide application, possessing effects such as strengthening the spleen and boosting qi, drying dampness, and promoting diuresis. Its processing began during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, evolving over generations into more than ten methods primarily involving slicing and stir-frying. Among these, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and stir-frying Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma with honey bran remain in use today. Current quality control for Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma primarily relies on pharmacopoeia and local standards, employing multi-indicator monitoring. However, these standards predominantly focus on chemical constituents, often detaching from clinical practice. Furthermore, standards for processed slices highly overlap with raw material standards, lacking distinct characteristics for processed forms. This review synthesizes ancient herbal texts, processing treatises, successive editions of pharmacopoeias, regional processing regulations, and modern literature to trace the historical evolution of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma processing, quality control standards and technical methodologies of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma. It aims to provide theoretical foundations for refining Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma quality standards and advancing the production of high-quality, efficacious Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma.

Research progress on mechanism and application of Coptidis Rhizoma in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

CUI Xi, LI Hanghang, ZHAI Rui, LIU Cuicui, SHI Shuxun

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(4): 1546-1558.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, recurrent, non-specific gastrointestinal disease with an unclear pathogenesis, and there is no curative treatment at present. As a multi-component natural traditional Chinese medicine, Coptidis Rhizoma shows the advantages of multi-target and multi-pathway regulation in the treatment of IBD with its rich chemical composition and unique pharmacological activity. Its core active ingredients are isoquinoline alkaloids, including berberine, coptisine, palmatine, berberrubine, etc., supplemented by flavonoids, lignans, organic acids, polysaccharides, terpenoids and other components, which have the effect of clearing heat and drying dampness,purgingfire and removing toxin. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that Coptidis Rhizoma and its active components exert therapeutic effects on IBD through multiple mechanisms, including antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, intestinal mucosal barrier protection, regulation of intestinal flora, glucose metabolism modulation, and cholinergic system regulation. This review summarizes the recent advances in the mechanisms and applications of Coptidis Rhizoma and its active ingredients in the treatment of IBD, providing a reference for the development of standardized clinical preparations of Coptidis Rhizoma.

Stabilization mechanism and regulation strategy of volatile oil based on nanophase self-assembly of traditional Chinese medicine

WANG Qiyu, LEI Ruting, PEI Zhaoyang, LIU Ying, WAN Na, ZHANG Huang, HU Huiquan, CHEN Shibin, WU Zhenfeng

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(4): 1559-1569.

The self-assembly of active components of traditional Chinese medicine has been confirmed to exist in decoctions, which ensures the effectiveness of active components of traditional decoctions, improves bioavailability, and has the effect of enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity. As an important pharmacodynamic component, essential oil is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions such as relieving exterior syndrome, resolving dampness, inducing resuscitation and regulating qi. Although essential oil has the characteristics of easy volatilization, it does not completely volatilize during the decoction process and continues to exert its efficacy. This phenomenon suggests that essential oil may form an “oil-active molecule” complex through self-assembly with other components in a complex decoction system to achieve the stabilization of essential oil molecules. Based on the theory of molecular self-assembly of traditional Chinese medicine, it is speculated that the stable state of “compatible combination” may be related to the structure of essential oil, the interaction of multiple components and the solution state. Based on the research status and challenges in the field of self-assembly of traditional Chinese medicine, this paper focuses on the “oil-active molecule” complexes existing in the decoction co-decoction system, aiming to clarify the active components, forces and regulatory strategies of self-assembly, and systematically explore the potential and progress of self-assembly technology applied to the stabilization of essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine.

Research progress on Arnebiae Radix and its topical preparations in promoting wound healing

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(4): 1570-1582.

Wound healing is a complex biological process regulated by multiple cells, factors, and signaling pathways. Delayed healing, non-healing wounds, and excessive scar formation seriously affect patients’ quality of life. Therefore, accelerating the healing speed and improving aesthetic outcomes have become major clinical concerns. Zicao (Arnebiae Radix) is a traditional Chinese medicine with the effects of “cooling the blood, promoting circulation, detoxifying, and generating flesh,” and has been widely used since antiquity to treat ulcers, burns, and other wounds. Modern studies have revealed that its main active components include naphthoquinones, polysaccharides, and phenolic acids, which exert multiple pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, pro-angiogenic, and re-epithelialization-promoting activities. During wound healing, Arnebiae Radix can act on multiple targets and at multiple stages to regulate inflammation, promote granulation tissue maturation, accelerate epithelial regeneration, and improve scar structure, thereby comprehensively facilitating wound healing. This review systematically summarizes the mechanisms of Arnebiae Radix and its topical preparations in different phases of wound healing, and provides an overview of both traditional and modern dosage forms, aiming to offer a reference for further research and clinical application of Arnebiae Radix in wound healing.