Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs

Effect of root rot on “Monochasma savatieri-rhizosphere soil microorganisms-soil” system based on metagenomics

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(18): 7407-7418.

Objective Root rot has become a bottleneck restricting the industrial development of Monochasma savatieri, however, current understanding regarding its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Methods This study took three groups of M. savatieri with different root rot progress and their rhizosphere soil as the research objects, and determined the soil physical and chemical properties of rhizosphere soil and the content of main active components of M. savatieri; metagenomic sequencing of the rhizosphere soil of M. savatieri. Results With the development of root rot, the physical and chemical properties of rhizosphere soil changed significantly. Among them, pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and available phosphorus increased significantly with the deepening of disease severity, while the contents of total carbon and total nitrogen showed the opposite trend. And the contents of total flavonoids, luteolin, apigenin and isoverbascoside were significantly reduced, while the content of verbascoside was increased. The microbial diversity increased with the deepening of disease severity, and the abundance of pathogenic bacteria related to soil-borne diseases in the soil, such as Fusarium, Cladosporium and Botrytis, as well as beneficial Trichoderma, increased in the later stage of the disease. The metabolic related pathways under KEGG annotation, such as fatty acid metabolism, glyoxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid metabolism, β-alanine metabolism and pyruvate metabolism, were more enriched than those in the healthy group and the mid-stage disease group. The pH value and EC value were significantly positively correlated with the abundance of potential pathogenic fungi. The genera such as Microbacterium, Drechslerella, Metarhizium and Trichoderma, which show significant positive correlations with total flavonoids of M. savatieri, luteolin, apigenin and verbascoside, may be involved in the improvement of soil microecology and the process of plant disease resistance. Conclusion Through a comprehensive correlation analysis of key indicators in the “M. savatieri -Microorganisms-Soil” system under different progression stages of root rot, this study systematically elucidates the patterns of change and interaction relationships among the three during the disease progression. The findings provide a basis for uncovering the microecological mechanisms underlying the occurrence of root rot in M. savatieri, as well as for developing control strategies through the regulation of soil and rhizosphere microorganisms.

Comparative analysis of chloroplast genome characteristics in four medicinal disporopsis species

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(18): 7419-7430.

Objective To characterize the chloroplast genomes and phylogenetic relationships of four medicinal species of Disporopsis, namely Disporopsis aspersa, D. fuscopicta, D. longifolia, and D. pernyi, and to identify potential regions for species discrimination, thereby providing a molecular and theoretical basis for species identification, germplasm resource conservation, quality control of medicinal materials, and resource development and utilization of this genus. Methods Young leaves of the four medicinal Disporopsis species were subjected to high-throughput sequencing. The chloroplast genomes were assembled and annotated, followed by bioinformatic analyses of repeat sequences, inverted repeat (IR) boundaries, codon usage bias, nucleotide diversity, selection pressure, and phylogenetic relationships. Results The chloroplast genomes of the four medicinal Disporopsis species exhibited a typical quadripartite circular structure, with genome sizes ranging from 155 975 to 156 109 bp and an overall GC content of 37.68%. A total of 131 genes were annotated in each genome, including 85 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were dominated by mononucleotide repeats, whereas long sequence repeats (LSRs) were dominated by palindromic repeats. The IR boundaries were generally conserved among the four species. Their codon usage patterns were highly similar, with a preference for codons ending in A or T. Nucleotide diversity analysis showed that rrn23S and trnT-UGU had relatively high Pi values among the genic regions, whereas rrn4.5S–rrn5S, ccsA–ndhD, rps11–rpl36, and rps15–ycf1 were highly variable intergenic regions. Selection pressure analysis showed that most protein-coding genes had Ka/Ks values below 1 and were predominantly constrained by purifying selection. However, ycf1, ycf4, psaI, and cemA had Ka/Ks values above 1 in some species comparisons, suggesting possible signals associated with adaptive evolution. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the four Disporopsis species clustered within the same well-supported branch and formed a sister group with Polygonatum. Conclusion The chloroplast genomes of the four Disporopsis species are generally conserved in genome structure and gene composition, although local sequence variation is present. The candidate highly variable regions identified in this study may provide useful references for species identification and molecular marker development in Disporopsis. The phylogenetic results also provide chloroplast genomic evidence for investigating the classification and relationships of this genus.

Study on cell population composition of Rehmannia glutinosa tuberous roots based on spatial transcriptomics

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(18): 7431-7440.

Objective Using cultivar 85-5 as the experimental material, Stereo-seq spatial transcriptomics technology was employed to analyze the in situ gene expression patterns of tuberous roots, thereby revealing the spatial heterogeneity of gene expression in root cells. Methods The optimal permeabilization duration was determined by fluorescence intensity and grayscale quantification, and the best bin resolution was identified by comparing gene detection efficiency and cell clustering performance across multiple parameter groups. Principal component analysis (PCA) and uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) were used for cell clustering. Cluster-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the Seurat package, and qRT-PCR was performed to validate the reliability of spatial transcriptomic data. Results The optimal permeabilization time for frozen sections of R. glutinosa tuberous roots is 18 min, and a bin size of 200 is more suitable for the analysis of macroscopic cell populations in R. glutinosa tuberous roots. Root cells of R. glutinosa were classified into five distinct populations with unique spatial localization via PCA and UMAP. Specifically, clusters 1 and 2 were predominantly distributed in the phloem, cluster 3 in the periderm, and cluster 4 in the cambium. The qRT-PCR verified that gene DH2020-016897 was specifically expressed in the periderm, whereas DH2020-009767 and DH2020-009768 exhibited predominant expression in the cambium. Conclusion In this study, we established a high-resolution spatial transcriptomic atlas of R. glutinosa tuberous roots, delineating spatial distribution patterns of individual cell clusters and the expression profiles of key genes. These findings provide a fundamental resource for exploring tuberous roots development, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and spatially resolved molecular regulatory networks underlying stress responses in R. glutinosa.

Analysis of bioactivity characteristics of fresh medicinal materials and research on appropriate modern formulations

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(18): 7441-7450.

Fresh medicinal materials refer to unprocessed or non-dried botanical and zoological substances utilized in their fresh state. By circumventing conventional drying and preparation procedures, they preserve a higher concentration of volatile compounds, heat-sensitive constituents, and other bioactive ingredients, thereby offering distinct advantages in treating external-contraction febrile diseases, dermatological conditions, and similar ailments. A systematic comparison of pharmacological activities between fresh and dried medicinal materials reveals that fresh variants of some species generally exhibit elevated levels of volatile oils, alkaloids, and other components, along with more pronounced antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor effects. Simultaneously, it provides a comprehensive review of the research progress on modern formulations of fresh medicinal materials. Novel dosage forms, such as juice preparations, capsules, and vesicular carrier systems, have, to some extent, mitigated the challenges associated with the storage and transportation of fresh medicinal materials. Nevertheless, issues persist in practical applications, including inconsistent quality standards and inadequate stability assessment frameworks. This review aims to compare and analyze the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of fresh and dried Chinese medicinal materials, sort out the existing problems in the application of fresh medicinal materials, prospect the research directions of their preparations, further summarize the current principles for selecting appropriate dosage forms for fresh Chinese medicinal materials, and explore the direction of constructing a suitable quality standard system oriented toward active ingredients. It is expected to provide theoretical basis and technical references for the in-depth development and rational utilization of fresh Chinese medicinal materials, and promote the inheritance, innovative development of traditional Chinese medicine.

Research progress and development trend of new high-efficiency extraction technologies for volatile oils from traditional Chinese medicine

ZHAO Meirun, JIANG Wan, ZHANG Yao, FU Yi, LUO Wenyu, ZHANG Puzhao, ZHENG Qin, QI Xiaoxu, WU Zhenfeng, YUE Pengfei

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(18): 7451-7461.

Volatile oil in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the important material bases for TCM to exert pharmacological effects, and its extraction technology directly determines the efficacy, safety and quality stability of the product. However, traditional extraction methods generally have problems such as low extraction efficiency, susceptible degradation of heat-sensitive constituents, and organic solvent residues, which seriously affect the quality and large-scale application of volatile oils. Therefore, the development of green and efficient new extraction technologies has become a key direction to promote technological progress in this field. This paper systematically summarizes the application status and inherent limitations of conventional extraction technologies such as solvent extraction and steam distillation, and discusses the research strategies to improve the efficiency of traditional methods through process parameter optimization, equipment structure improvement, and combination of ultrasonic, microwave and other physics auxiliary technologies. At the same time, the latest technical progress and research overview of emerging technologies such as supercritical fluid extraction, subcritical extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ionic liquid extraction and pulsed electric field-assisted extraction are summarized. Finally, the future development trends of multi-technology collaboration, green solvent substitution and intelligent regulation system construction are prospected, providing references for the innovation and industrial application of TCM volatile oil extraction technologies.

Mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine regulating Akkermansia muciniphila to improve inflammatory bowel disease from perspective of gut microecology

ZHU Fan, HU Xiaomei, LIANG Qi, ZHU Yun, PENG Bo, LI Zhengwei, ZHANG Wujian, LI Tao

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(18): 7462-7475.

Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK) is a key commensal bacterium colonizing the intestinal mucus layer, playing a crucial role in maintaining intestinal barrier integrity, regulating immune homeostasis and participating in metabolic control. Recent studies indicate that the abundance of AKK is significantly reduced in the intestines of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with its dynamic changes closely correlated with disease activity. Animal experiments demonstrate that supplementing this bacterium or its functional proteins can alleviate intestinal inflammation by regulating the “intestinal barrier-immune inflammation-metabolism” triple pathway. However, under specific pathological conditions, AKK may also exacerbate barrier damage by excessively degrading the mucus layer, suggesting that they exhibit significant context-dependent bidirectional regulatory characteristics. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its active components can bidirectionally regulate the abundance and function of AKK through multiple pathways, including the direct supply of nutritional substrates, promotion of mucus secretion, remodeling of the microbial community structure and regulation of metabolic interactions, thereby maintaining the homeostasis of the gut microbiome and exerting an anti-IBD effect. This article systematically reviews the dual mechanisms of action of AKK in IBD and their roles in intestinal barrier repair, immune regulation and metabolic remodeling. It focuses on summarizing research progress of TCM in improving IBD by targeting the AKK-mediated “microbiota-barrier-immunity” axis, with the aim of providing a theoretical basis and research directions for TCM microbiota intervention strategies based on the regulation of key bacteria.

Global application and industrial development of Aucklandiae Radix: From traditional medicinal use to modern market value

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(18): 7476-7487.

As a traditional plant resource with both medicinal and aromatic value, Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) exhibits distinct regional characteristics and trends of industrial upgrading of resource distribution, development and utilization, and international trade patterns. This paper systematically reviews the evolution of Aucklandiae Radix varieties and their application characteristics in Asian traditional medical systems, summary of the current development status and technical bottlenecks of Aucklandiae Radix-related products, compares quality control standards across countries, and analyzes international trade data and development trends to provide theoretical references and practical ideas for the sustainable utilization of Aucklandiae Radix resources, high-value product development, and international trade layout. The results indicate that there are numerous adulterants of Aucklandiae Radix cannot be used interchangeably; resources are primarily derived from artificial cultivation, with Yunnan, Sichuan, and Chongqing in China serving as core production areas. In terms of medical applications, it is utilized in traditional Chinese medicine, Indian medicine, and Southeast Asian folk medicine, with its core functions of promoting qi circulation to relieve pain and strengthening the spleen to aid digestion being widely applied. Currently, Aucklandiae Radix product development has extended from traditional herbal materials to high-value-added extracts, traditional Chinese patent medicines, health supplements, cosmetics, and veterinary drugs, with the industrial chain continuously improving. There are differences in quality standards across countries regarding detection indicators and limit requirements; pharmacopoeias in Europe, British, China, and South Korea emphasize limits on pesticides and heavy metals, whereas Japan, Vietnam, and India do not specify requirements for the determination of major component content. In terms of internationalrade, Aucklandiae Radix has formed a production and sales network centered on Asia. Meanwhile, the Aucklandiae Radix industry faces challenges such as resource degradation, uneven processing technology, and poor alignment of international standards. This paper provides theoretical references and practical ideas for the sustainable utilization of Aucklandiae Radix resources, high-value product development, and international trade layout.

Scientific implications of “distinguishing characteristics and assessing quality” in Codonopsis Radix and analysis of its quality determinants

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(18): 7488-7500.

As one of China’s medicinal herbs with dual food and medicinal properties, Codonopsis Radix sees extensive clinical practice and industrial development, making quality evaluation research critically important. The “quality assessment through morphological analysis” methodology, which synthesizes the practical experience and wisdom of generations of medical experts, holds unique reference value. This paper reviews the herbal textual research of the “quality assessment through morphological analysis” theory for C. pilosula, modern research on the correlation between its morphological features and quality, and the determinants of its quality. This review aims to provide a reference for contemporary research on the quality evaluation of Codonopsis pilosula.

Quality attribute-oriented paradigm transformation in quality control of traditional Chinese medicines

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(17): 6661-6668.

Quality control of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) has progressively evolved from empirical identification and component testing toward multicomponent and holistic control. With advances in modern pharmaceutical quality science, analytical technologies, manufacturing methods, and data environment, the central question is shifting from “what can be measured” to “what truly matters to product quality and therefore needs to be assured.” Centered on critical quality attributes (CQA), this article proposes a methodological framework that starts from clinical positioning and product understanding and proceeds through “a product quality profile-candidate quality attributes-CQA identification-investigation of materials, processes, and intermediate materials-identification of critical material attributes (CMAs)/critical process parameters (CPPs)-quality formation laws-quality state evaluation-continuous lifecycle confirmation”. CQA criticality should be supported by product-specific quality risks and corresponding evidence. CMAs and CPPs should be identified through whole-process investigation guided by CQAs, and whole-process investigation should serve targeted control rather than expansion of control items. The article further discusses the non-compensatory boundary of holistic evaluation, reliable measurement, complementary retrospective and prospective studies, and the role of real-world manufacturing data in continual confirmation. A shift from a component-oriented to a quality attribute-oriented approach does not negate established analytical technologies or quality standards. Rather, it relocates the starting point of quality research from “what can be found and measured” to “what truly matters, why it matters, how it is formed, and how it can be continuously assured.” This paradigm transformation requires further validation and refinement across different types of traditional Chinese medicine products and real-world commercial manufacturing data.

A new isoflavone compound isolated from Dalbergia pinnata

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. 2026, 57(17): 6669-6676.

Objective To investigate the chemical composition of the rhizome of Dalbergia pinnata. Methods Separation and purification were performed using silica gel, RP-C₁₈, MCI, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography and recrystallization; compound structures were identified based on spectroscopic techniques, including NMR spectroscopy; and the anti-complement activity of selected isolated monomeric compounds was screened using an in vitro erythrocyte hemolysis assay. Results Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified from the ethyl acetate fraction of D. pinnata, including 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-6,2′,5′-trimethoxyisoflavone (1), 7,3 ¢-dihydroxy-8,4 ¢-dimethoxyisoflavone (2), (&8722;)-vestitol (3), 3-O-acetyloleanolic acid (4), (&8722;)-hydroxymedioresinol (5), (&8722;)-episyringaresinol (6), (&8722;)-liquiritigenin (7), butein (8), (&8722;)- isolariciresinol (9), (＋)-lyoniresinol (10), (2R)-3-(3 ¢,4¢-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,2-propanediol (11), (2R)-3-(3 ¢,4 ¢,5 ¢-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,2-propanediol (12), 3,3 ¢,4,4 ¢-tetrahydroxybiphenyl (13), vanillicvanillyric acid (14), cinnamtannin B1 (15). In vitro anti-complement activity assays demonstrated that compounds 1, 3, 7 and 8 exhibited distinct in vitro complement inhibitory activities, with their half-maximal hemolysis-inhibitory concentrations (CH₅₀) measuring (1.21 ± 0.07), (0.57 ± 0.03), (0.12 ± 0.13) and (0.17 ± 0.04) mg/mL respectively. Conclusion Compound 1 is a new compound, designated as dalbergiaisoflavone A, obtained from D. pinnata; compounds 2—6 and 8—15 were obtained from this species for the first time, and compound 7 exhibits significant in vitro anti-complement activity.