Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs

Application progress of lipidomics in study of traditional Chinese medicine for liver disease treatment

ZHANG Zheng, TANG Aicun, WEN Zishuai, XIAO Rui, WEI Yanan, FU Lei, MA Bingbing, ZHANG Chenrui, YAO Chun, WU Fangfang

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(3): 1138-1148.

Lipidomics enables the systematic analysis of the composition, functions, and metabolic networks of lipid molecules in organisms. Its holistic analytical characteristics are highly consistent with the “multi-component, multi-target, and holistic regulation” mode of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), providing key technical support for elucidating mechanisms of TCM in treating liver diseases. This article systematically reviews the research achievements in the field of lipidomics applied to TCM for liver disease treatment over the past five years. It focuses on analyzing the regulatory effects of TCM on various liver disease-related metabolic pathways and key targets, organizes the lipid regulation mechanisms of different TCM therapeutic approaches, and summarizes the application value of lipidomics in analyzing the efficacy-related substances of TCM, validating the processing of Chinese medicinal materials, and elucidating the mechanisms of TCM formulation compatibility. The study aims to provide theoretical references and practical insights for enhancing research on mechanism of TCM in treating liver diseases through lipidomics, promoting clinical precision diagnosis and treatment, and advancing modernization of TCM theory.

Research progress on mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine and its active compounds in treatment of urinary tract tumors by regulating ferroptosis

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(3): 1149-1157.

Ferroptosis, as a new type of programmed cell death characterized by iron dependence and lipid peroxidation, is an important target for inhibiting proliferation, metastasis and reversing drug resistance of urinary tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its active compounds have unique advantages in the field of regulating ferroptosis due to their multi-target and low toxicity, mainly reflected in the synergistic intervention of key pathways of ferroptosis. Studies have shown that TCM plays an anti-tumor role by targeting the three classical pathways of regulating iron homeostasis, promoting lipid peroxidation and inhibiting the antioxidant defense system with glutathione peroxidase 4 as the core, promoting iron overload in urinary tumor cells and destroying the redox balance to induce ferroptosis. This article aims to systematically review the mechanism of TCM regulating ferroptosis in prevention and treatment of urinary tract tumors, in order to provide reference for its more in-depth molecular mechanisms research and wider clinical application.

Akebiae Caulis, Clematidis Armandii Caulis, and Aristolochiae Manshuriensis Caulis: Advances in species confusion, toxicity mechanisms, and identification techniques

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(3): 1158-1166.

The herb “Mutong” has long been plagued by significant species confusion in traditional Chinese medicine, involving non-toxic Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), Chuanmutong (Clematidis Armandii Caulis), and the highly nephrotoxic and carcinogenic Guuanmutong (Aristolochiae Manshuriensis Caulis). This paper provides a systematic review of the historical origins of such confusion, including changes in nomenclature, resource shortages, and regulatory gaps, with a focused analysis of the toxicity mechanisms of aristolochic acids (AAs), encompassing metabolic activation, DNA adduct formation, and the resultant A:T to T:A mutations leading to urothelial carcinoma. Although the Chinese Pharmacopoeia reinstated the use of genuine Akebiae Caulis and prohibited Aristolochiae Manshuriensis Caulis in 2005, widespread adulteration persists in the market, highlighting the limitations of conventional identification methods. This study further comprehensively evaluates various identification techniques ranging from morphology and microscopy to modern molecular biology and spectroscopy, discussing their respective strengths and weaknesses. It proposes the development of an integrated “field-laboratory-regulatory” tripartite identification system, incorporating portable NIR-PCR devices, AI-assisted LC-MS databases, and blockchain-based drug traceability systems. Finally, the paper calls for establishing a three-dimensional “efficacy-chemistry-toxicity” evaluation model to scientifically reinterpret traditional empirical knowledge, thereby enhancing the safety and global acceptance of traditional Chinese medicine.

Novel strategy of traditional Chinese medicine and its active components in targeting senescence of pancreatic β-cells and adipocytes for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

LIU Yan, SU Linming, WANG Nannan, JIN Liang, ZHANG Fangfang

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(3): 1167-1178.

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.

Research progress on traditional Chinese medicine injection in treatment of chronic heart failure

MENG Lichong, WANG Ziyi, LI Xinchun, LI Lin, HU Zhixi

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(3): 1179-1194.

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.

Research progress on tetrahydropalmatine in treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(3): 1195-1208.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Although existing standard therapies can reduce the risk of acute events, a significant “residual risk” remains, highlighting the urgent need for multi-target intervention strategies. Tetrahydropalmatine (THP), the principal active alkaloid in Corydalis yanhusuo, features a unique tetracyclic scaffold and exhibits multitarget pharmacological characteristics. It plays significant roles in key pathological processes, including arrhythmia, platelet hyperaggregation and thrombosis, hypertension and endothelial dysfunction, and ventricular remodeling. Its mechanisms involve the coordinated regulation of multiple ion channels, enhancement of nitric oxide synthesis and endothelium-dependent relaxation, suppression of sympathetic nerve activity, and inhibition of fibrosis and hypertrophy. Furthermore, THP can activate protective signaling pathways such as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway, while inhibiting pathogenic pathways including the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-κB pathways, thereby exerting comprehensive effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and pro-angiogenic actions. However, THP still faces critical limitations, including low oral bioavailability, complex metabolic pathways, and insufficient clinical evidence. Therefore, this review systematically summarizes the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of THP in cardiovascular diseases, aiming to elucidate its potential value as a multi-target and multi-pathway therapeutic agent, and to provide a theoretical foundation for further pharmacokinetic optimization, formulation improvement, and clinical investigation.

Two new trinorcycloartane triterpenoids from stems and leaves of Astragalus membranaceus

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(2): 393-399.

Objective To investigate trinorcycloartane triterpenoids from the stems and leaves of Astragalus membranaceus (AMSL). Methods Comprehensive separation and purification were performed using silica gel, ODS column chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The structures of the compounds were identified by modern spectroscopic techniques. The cytotoxic activities of the compounds against PC12 cells were assessed using the MTT assay. Results Two trinorcycloartane triterpenoids were isolated from the n-butanol fraction of the 70% ethanol extract of AMSL, namely 1α,3β,12β,16β-tetrahydroxy-25,26,27-trinorcycloartan-24-oic acid methyl ester (1) and 1α,3β,12β-trihydroxy-25,26,27- trinorcycloartan-24,16β-olide (2). The MTT assay showed that compounds 1 and 2 exhibited varying degrees of cytotoxicity against PC12 cells within the concentration range of 5—100 μmol/L. Conclusions Compounds1 and 2 are identified as new trinorcycloartane triterpenoids, named cyclastraine K (1) and cyclastraine L (2), respectively. Both compounds 1 and 2 demonstrate cytotoxicity against PC12 cells.

Two new trinorcycloartane triterpenoids from stems and leaves of Astragalus membranaceus

ZHANG Luyuan, ZHOU Jing, LOU Hongbo, PU Kailiang, LI Yunlu, CHEN Chao, CHEN Yingfei, XU Xiaoyu, SHEN Yong

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(2): 400-404.

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents and their anti-inflammatory activity of Cynanchum wilfordii. Methods Various chromatographic techniques including silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography were employed for the isolation and purification of compounds. Their structures were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including HR-ESI-MS, ESI-MS, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, HSQC, and HMBC. The anti-inflammatory activity of the compounds was evaluated using the Griess method. Results Two compounds were isolated and identified as (7'R,8'S)-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9'-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (1) and 3β-[(O-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]-8β,14β-trihydroxycarda-5,20-(22)-dienolide (2). Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited NO production by 55.16% and 15.34%, respectively, with a median inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of 41.37 μmol/L for compound 1. Conclusion Compounds 1 and 2 are both new compounds, belonging to lignan and cardenolide types, respectively. They have been assigned the names cynawilforin A (1) and wilforcardenoside A (2). In vitro anti-inflammatory assays indicated that compound 1 exhibits certain anti-inflammatory activity.

Study on secondary metabolites of marine-derived fungi Talaromyces sp. 13-z-02

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(2): 405-413.

Objective To investigate the secondary metabolites produced by marine-derived fungi Talaromyces sp. 13-z-02 and their anti-inflammatory activities were studied. Methods The isolation and purification of compounds were performed using silica gel and ODS column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLC. And their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR analyses. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity in zebrafish. Results One new isochromane and eleven known compounds were isolated and identified as 8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-7-methylisochromane (1) from the fermentation broth of this strain, bacillisporin B (2), macrosporusone D (3), bacillisporin F (4), 1-epi-bacillisporin F (5), macrosporusone E and 1-epi-macrosporusone E (6), bacillisporin A (7), xenoclauxin (8), Sch 725680 (9), aculene C (10), 6-ethyl-2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde (11), 6-ethyl-2,4-dihydroxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde (12). Compounds 1 and 12 significantly reduced the migration of immune cells with the same concentration of 20 μmol/L and exhibited anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion Compound 1 is a new isochromane, designated as talaroslisochromane. Compounds 1 and 12 showed anti-inflammatory activity.

Chemical constituents from Mallotus repandus

LI Wenyi, ZHENG Kexin, ZHENG Wenlin, GUO Yaping, ZHOU Le, HE Zhendan, WU Yan

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(2): 414-424.

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents of Mallotus repandus. Methods The compounds were separated and purified using a variety of chromatographic techniques, including silica gel and ODS column chromatography, as well as semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were established by NMR and mass spectroscopy analysis. The antimicrobial activities of these isolates were evaluated by the broth microdilution method. Results Twenty-nine compounds were obtained from the dichloromethane extract of the twigs and leaves of M. repandus and identified as 3-O-cis-caffeoyl betulinic acid (1) , ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (2), β-sitostenone (3), 5,8-epidioxyergosta-6,9(11),22-trien-3-ol (4), N(N'-benzoyl-S^*-phenylalaninyl)-S^*-phenylalaninolbenzoate (5), aurantiamide acetate (6), isoechinulin A (7), 6-geranylnaringenin (8), questin (9), 1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthracenedione (10), flavoglaucin (11), isodihydroauroglaucin (12), isoaspergin (13), 5'-cis-isotetrahydroauroglaucin (14), (E)-6-hydroxy-7-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)chroman-5-carbaldehyde (15), camellia chlorophyllide Ⅱ (16), 13²(R)-hydroxypheophorbide-a ethyl ester (17), ethyl pheophorbide a (18), ligulariaphytin A (19), (−)-α-tocospirone (20), α-tocospiro B (21), δ-tocopherol (22), α-tocopherolquinone (23), 5-methoxypinosylvin (24), dehydroabietic acid (25), (5E,7E)-9-oxooctadeca-5,7-dienoicacid (26), (10E,12E)-ethyl-9-oxo-octadeca-10,12-dienoate (27), (10E,12Z)-9-hydroxy-10,12-octadecadienoic acid (28) and palmitic acid (29), respectively. Compound 13 has a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 128 μg/mL against Enterococcus faecalis, 16 μg/mL against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and 4 μg/mL against Cryptococcus neoformans. Compound 15 has an MIC of 128 μg/mL against E. faecalis, 64 μg/mL against MRSA, and 8 μg/mL against C. neoformans.Conclusion Compounds 2, 4, 8, 9, 11—19, and 24—28 were reported from Euphorbiaceae plants for the first time, compounds 1, 3, 5, 7, 20, 21, and 23 were reported from the genus Mallotus for the first time, and compounds 6, 10, and 22 were reported from M. repandus for the first time. Compounds 13 and 15 have notable inhibitory effects on E. faecalis, MRSA, and C. neoformans.