Objective Based on the Patsnap database, a visual analysis is conducted on the development overview of patent technologies in China’s traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry from 2000 to 2024 to reveal its evolution laws and structural characteristics. Methods Employing multidimensional retrieval strategies (title/abstract, IPC classifications, national economic industry classifications, etc.), the study integrates 119 485 TCM-related patents, focusing on four technical domains: Chinese medicinal materials, Chinese herbal decoction pieces, Chinese patent medicine (CPM), and intelligent manufacturing of TCM. Quantitative and visualized analyses were performed on application trends, regional distribution, applicant types, IPC classifications, and legal statuses. Results The number of patent applications in the TCM industry reached a peak of 11 087 in 2017, then declined, and stabilized at 5 000 per year after 2020, reflecting a shift from scale expansion to quality improvement. Shandong, Guangdong, and Jiangsu emerged as innovation hubs, while Anhui leveraged its Bozhou medicinal material market to form a specialized cluster, demonstrating a multi-polar distribution of “eastern dominance with gradual western expansion”. The proportion of patents in the field of CPMs is the highest, while the base in the field of intelligent manufacturing is small but the growth rate is stable. IPC classifications centered on A61K36 (plant-derived preparations) and A61K9 (dosage forms), targeting digestive and anti-infectious diseases. Colleges and universities lead in high-value invention patents, while enterprises have a high number of applications but an authorization rate of less than 20%. Individual applicants were active but showed low conversion efficiency. Invalid patents account for 69.91%, mainly due to insufficient inventiveness; the number of invalid patents in the field of CPM is the largest, but the proportion of valid patents is relatively high. Conclusion TCM patents exhibit “quantitative dominance but qualitative structure imbalance and weak global competitiveness”. Innovations in CPMs focus on process optimization rather than clinical validation. Recommendations include establishing a “quality-transformation-internationalization” synergy mechanism, strengthening frontier technologies like authentic medicinal material DNA barcoding and nano-formulations, and promoting the transformation of TCM patents from “scale-driven” to “value-driven” patent strategies.

Objective To comprehensively analyze the research trends and focuses of Gouteng (Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis) from bibliometric and global patent perspectives, providing forward-looking references for its future clinical application and in-depth research. Methods Literature was retrieved from four databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP, and Web of Science (WOS) with Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis as the keyword. Retrieved publications were imported into NoteExpress for deduplication and screening. Software including Excel, Origin, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer were used to visually analyze the current research status and development trends of Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis in domestic and international publications, covering publication trends, national distribution, publication institutions, journal of publication, authors, and keywords. The Incopat patent database was searched to analyze global patent applications related to Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis, including trends in patent applications, geographical distribution, applicants, and technology fields. Results A total of 1 713 Chinese publications and 594 English publications met the inclusion criteria. China was the primary contributor to publications, with international attention increasing gradually in recent years. Core research teams have emerged in this field, but collaboration among institutions requires strengthening. In recent years, there has been an overlap in the research hotspots of Chinese and English literature in the field of Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis, both focusing on the pharmacological components and action mechanisms of Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis. Chinese studies specifically emphasize Tianma Gouteng Decoction and its use in hypertension treatment, identifying bioactive compounds and elucidating regulatory mechanisms. English publications focus on phytochemistry, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and the potential efficacy in neurological diseases. Based on a search of the Incopat patent database, 8 048 patents were initially screened. After merging patent families, 6 251 patents were retained, among which 5 461 were domestic patents, accounting for 87.36% and occupying a dominant position. Conclusion Research in the field of Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis shows a trend of continuous expansion and deepening. Overall, it is shifting from traditional Chinese medicine practice to a development path featuring multi-disciplinary collaborative innovation and in-depth analysis of molecular-level mechanisms. Although China dominates international patent applications related to Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis, there are key drawbacks: A large number of patents have expired, the degree of transformation and implementation is limited, and market expansion is weak.

Objective To mine CYP gene family members in Coptis chinensis based on genomic data and analyze the evolutionary specificity of CYP719 genes. Methods The CYP gene family members of C. chinensis were identified based on homologous CYP gene sequence from both Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa. Analyses of the physicochemical properties of proteins, system classification, gene structure, expression profile and cis-acting elements of the identified CYP genes were further conducted by bioinformatics. The CYP719 family members in C. chinensis were identified based on the 23 reported CYP719 genes in other plants, and their collinearity analysis was performed through homologous sequence alignment. Results A total of 308 CYP genes were identified in the C. chinensis genomic data, belonging to 45 families in nine family clans. The range of amino acid numbers for encoded proteins is from 103 to 2 008 aa, with a relative molecular mass ranging from 11 010 to 230 370, and an isoelectric point ranging from 4.85 to 9.79. The number of CYP gene exons in C. chinensis varies between 1 and 38, with a wide range of variation. A total of 308 CYP genes were unevenly distributed on nine chromosomes of C. chinensis and mainly expanded through dispersed duplication（DSD） and proximal duplication（PD）. The expression of CYP genes was tissue-specific, and nine genes were significantly upregulated in rhizomes and fibrous roots. In the promoter regions of these CYP genes, stress response elements were predicted to be the most frequently occurring cis-acting elements. Through genomic collinear analyses between different plants, the C. chinensis CYP719 genes have homologous ones in Aquilegia coerulea, Corydalis tomentella, Papaver somniferum, and Aristolochia debilis, but not in Arabidopsis thaliana, Glycine max, Prunus persica, Chrysanthemum nankingense, Vitis vinifera, Aconitum vilmorinianum, O. sativa, and Amborella trichopoda. Conclusion C. chinensis has a rich CYP supergene family, in which CYP719 gene shows branch-specific evolution, laying the foundation for analyzing the functions of this type of gene.

Objective Taking the glycosyltransferase in Platycodon grandiflorus as the research object, the bioinformatics analysis, gene cloning and recombinant plasmid construction, protein expression and purification, catalytic function validation, enzymatic properties, and substrate promiscuity of the glycosyltransferase gene PgUGT72B21 were investigated. Methods The key glycosyltransferase PgUGT72B21 was screened from the transcriptome data of P. grandiflorus and subsequently cloned. A prokaryotic expression vector, pET-28a-PgUGT72B21, was constructed using gene recombination technology and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21（DE3） competent cells. Protein purification was performed according to the instructions of the His-tagged protein purification kit, and protein expression was detected by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The enzymatic reaction products were analyzed using HPLC and LCMS systems. Results P. grandiflorus glycosyltransferase gene Pg UGT72B21 obtained through cloning had an open reading frame（ORF） of 1 407 bp, encoding 468 amino acid residues with a relative molecular mass of approximately 51 000. A highly conserved plant secondary product glycosyltransferase（PSPG） motif was identified at the C-terminus. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this glycosyltransferase belongs to the UGT72 family. In vitro enzymatic assays demonstrated that PgUGT72B21 could catalyze the glycosylation of the C3 hydroxyl group of quercetin to produce isoquercitrin. After heterologous expression and purification, the recombinant protein was obtained, and its enzymatic properties were analyzed. The optimal pH and temperature for the catalytic reaction were determined to be 6.0 and 60 ℃, respectively, with the highest substrate conversion rate achieved after 2 h of reaction. The kinetic parameters for quercetin catalysis were K_m = 390.10 μmol/L and kcat = 11.10/min. Further substrate promiscuity studies revealed that PgUGT72B21 could not only catalyze flavonols such as quercetin but also flavonoids such as apigenin. Conclusion The newly discovered glycosyltransferase PgUGT72B21 holds significant importance for enriching the glycosylation tool enzyme library and provides a foundation for further elucidating the glycosylation process of flavonoid glycosides in P. grandiflorus.

Objective To explore the key enzyme genes of the pentacyclic triterpene esters biosynthesis pathway in Balanophora subcupularis, which lays a certain research idea and theoretical foundation for its biosynthesis mechanism and the development and utilization of medicinal plant resources in the genus Balanophora. Methods Transcriptome sequencing and analysis was performed on the three tissues of the flowerstalk, rhizome and umbel of B. subcupularis, then searching the candidate enzyme genes involved in triterpene ester biosynthesis by PfamScan, constructing the yeast expression vector of BsubOSCs gene which was introduced into the Saccharomyces cerevisiae lanosterol synthase gene（erg7）-deficient mutant strain GIL77 for functional characterization. Results A total of 87 candidate genes involved in pentacyclic triterpene esters biosynthesis were identified from the transcriptome of B. subcupularis, most of them were highly expressed in umbel, suggesting that umbel may be the main site of synthesis of pentacyclic triterpene esters. The enzyme function of two BsubOSC genes were characterized, which was found that BsubOSC2 could catalyze 2, 3-oxidosqualene to form β-amyrin, but no catalytic product of BsubOSC1 was detected. Conclusion Based on transcriptome analysis, the key enzyme genes involved in pentacyclic triterpene esters biosynthesis were found in B. subcupularis, and BsubOSC2 is a β-amyrin synthetase gene, and is one of the key enzyme genes for the biosynthesis of balanophorin A. This study provides gene resources for further analysis of the biosynthesis pathway of triterpene ester compounds such as balanophorins, and facilitate the research on molecular breeding of B. subcupularis.

Objective To reveal the changes of morphological characteristics and amino acid metabolism in fruit of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum at different ripening stages. Methods The morphological characteristics, amino acid content, and related genes expression were determined and analyzed in fruit of S. hexandrum at different ripening stages（S1 to S9）. Results There were significant differences in morphological characteristics（e.g., fruit color, length, and diameter）, amino acid content, and related genes expression during fruit ripening. The fruit length, diameter, fresh weight, and dry weight showed a 2.2, 2.18, 31.42, and 49.05 fold increase at the S6 compared with S1; the content of amino acid were greater at the S5 and S9 than other stages; the 10 candidate genes related to amino acid metabolism [e.g., arginine decarboxylase 2（ADC2）, arogenate dehydratase 6（ADT6）, and asparagine synthetase（AS）] showed a down-regulation to some extent at S4 to S8 compared with S2. Conclusion There were dynamic differences in morphological characteristics, amino acid metabolism and related gene expression levels with fruit ripening. These finding will provide useful references for the development and utilization of S. hexandrum fruits.

Objective To develop the determination methods for the content of vanillic acid, isovanillic acid, rhamnetin, luteolin, quercetin, diosmetin, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, anemarrhenasaponin A2, gracillin, prosapogenin A, dioscin, protogracillin, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, total ash and acid insoluble ash in Smilax riparia, and evaluate the quality of S. riparia by combining multivariate statistical analysis and entropy weight TOPSIS model. Methods HPLC was launched on an Agilent Symmetry C₁₈ chromatographic column（250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm） by gradient elution with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.3% phosphoric acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, detection wavelength were 280 nm（for detecting vanillic acid and isovanillic acid）, 345 nm（for detecting rhamnetin, luteolin, quercetin, diosmetin） and 210 nm（for detecting oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, anemarrhenasaponin A2, gracillin, prosapogenin A, dioscin, protogracillin, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol）, column temperature was 30 ℃, and an injection volume was 10 μL. The contents of total ash and acid insoluble ash were detected according to the method of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 edition. Based on the content measurement value, the quality of 18 batches of S. riparia samples was comprehensively evaluated by using the multivariate statistical analysis and entropy weight TOPS model. Results A total of 15 chemical components had good linear relationships in their respective mass concentration ranges, and the average recovery rates were 96.99%—100.14%. The contents of vanillic acid, isovanillic acid, rhamnetin, luteolin, quercetin, diosmetin, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, anemarrhenasaponin A2, gracillin, prosapogenin A, dioscin, protogracillin, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, total ash and acid insoluble ashin in 18 batches of S. riparia were 0.338—1.213, 0.074—0.200, 0.197—0.360, 0.423—0.676, 0.620—1.814, 0.496—1.007, 0.192—0.410, 0.095—0.187, 1.360—2.281, 0.379—0.651, 0.711—1.221, 2.120 —3.657, 0.965—1.652, 0.113—0.275, 0.063—0.123 mg/g, 3.6%—9.5%, 1.4%—3.5%, respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis classified 18 batches of S. riparia into three categories, principal component analysis yielded two principal components, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 88.149%. A total of eight components such as dioscin, quercetin, luteolin, anemarrhenasaponin A2, oleanolic acid, vanillic acid, protogracillin and β-sitosterol were screened by VIP analysis, which could be used as differential markers of S. riparia in different producing areas. The results of entropy weight TOPSIS method showed that the quality of 18 batches of S. riparia was significantly different, and the comprehensive score was 0.230 6—0.706 2. The quality of samples numbered S16 and S15 was ranked in the front. Conclusion The quality evaluation model based on chemometrics and entropy weight TOPSIS is convenient and effective, and can be used for the quality evaluation of S. riparia.

Current quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) primarily focuses on chemical composition analysis, neglecting the interactions among components. The phase of TCM is an ordered combination formed by different or identical components through intermolecular forces, serving as a crucial form for TCM efficacy and a vital supplement to its quality assessment. It reflects the characteristic of multiple components synergistically exerting pharmacological effects. This article systematically reviewed the importance of TCM phase in quality evaluation. We summarized the formation mechanisms and research methods of TCM phase, as well as their roles in reducing toxicity and enhancing efficacy. Furthermore, we discussed the research strategies for screening active phases, characterization approaches, and potential challenges, providing a theoretical basis for transitioning TCM quality evaluation from a composition-based perspective to a “chemistry-structure-function integrated” model.

High-altitude sleep disturbance (HASD), a common physiological disorder caused by hypobaric hypoxia, clinically manifests as insomnia, sleep apnea, and sleep fragmentation. Its pathogenesis involves hypoxia-inducible factor activation, oxidative stress, and neuroendocrine dysregulation, with severe cases potentially leading to irreversible neurological damage. The gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication network between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, plays a key role in HASD progression. Gut microbiota, as a critical interface between intestinal and cerebral functions, may modulate sleep disorders through neurotransmitter regulation, short-chain fatty acid production, and hormonal pathway modulation. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) offer unique therapeutic advantages for HASD management. TCM theory suggests that “gastric imbalance disrupts sleep”, while TTM attributes insomnia to “tri-humoral dysregulation”. Both systems align with the modern gut-brain axis theory, emphasizing sleep quality improvement through spleen-stomach system regulation. This study examines the theoretical foundations of TCM and TTM for preventing and treating HASD, summarizing relevant classical prescriptions, monomeric drugs, active ingredients, and novel formulations. Additionally, it explores the pharmacological mechanisms by which TCM and TTM improve HASD by regulating the gut-brain axis, providing safe and effective strategies for individuals entering high-altitude regions.

The comorbidity of depression and cognitive impairment is increasingly prevalent in clinical practice, particularly among the elderly population, which faces a higher risk of onset. Given the severity of the current comorbidity situation and the guiding significance of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory of “treating different diseases with the same method,” it is essential to systematically explore the underlying mechanisms of this comorbidity and conduct an in-depth analysis of TCM’s multi-target intervention strategies. According to TCM theory, the core pathogenesis of this comorbidity involves visceral deficiency, insufficiency of qi and blood, and phlegm turbidity clouding the orifices and disturbing the spirit, collectively leading to impaired mental functioning. Modern medical research, on the other hand, indicates that the pathological basis of this comorbidity arises from the interplay of multiple systemic mechanisms, including vascular pathologies, reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor, hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neuroinflammation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. TCM demonstrates unique advantages in holistic intervention by multi-target regulation of neurotransmitters, suppression of neuroinflammation, enhancement of neuroplasticity, and modulation of the gut-brain axis. Through a systematic review of the mechanisms underlying the comorbidity of depression and cognitive impairment and the progress in multi-target intervention research in TCM, this study aims to provide new insights and references for scientific research and clinical practice in this field.