Based on extensive research into the current status of understory medicinal herb cultivation and an in-depth analysis of existing problems, this study proposes policy and technical recommendations to promote sustainable and high-quality development. The research team conducted field investigations in advantageous cultivation regions across seven provinces (autonomous regions), including Guangxi, Yunnan, Fujian, and Jilin, supplemented by policy reviews and literature analysis. The findings reveal that although understory medicinal herb cultivation benefits from ecological advantages and policy support, it still faces a series of problems, such as an underdeveloped service system, insufficient regulatory capacity, low market alignment, and immature technical systems. It should be particularly noted that understory cultivation commonly encounters specific challenges, including the economic dilemma of high input and low output, mismatches between forest canopy density and the light requirements of medicinal plants, ambiguous boundaries between ecological protection and utilization in policy implementation, and weak research support, leading to high trial-and-error costs in technology adoption. The following development recommendations are proposed: ① establish a coordination mechanism between forestry and traditional Chinese medicine authorities to integrate planning and policy synergy; ② enhance the alignment of understory medicinal herb cultivation with market demand; ③ develop an independent technical system and standards for understory medicinal herb cultivation, such as establishing a variety suitability framework based on canopy density classification and ecological cultivation protocols; ④ strengthen research focused on industrial development, with priority given to large-scale plantations (e. g., pine and fir forests), dual-purpose food-medicine species (Polygonatum, Gastrodia elata), vine species, and intercropping effects; ⑤ establish a quality certification system and corresponding regulatory framework for understory-cultivated medicinal materials to promote premium pricing; ⑥ improve land-use policies and supporting infrastructure, clarifying utilization rights for different forest types and simplifying approval procedures for temporary facilities.

This study systematically elucidated the scientific connotation of Jianpi Huogu Formula in treating phlegm-stasis blocking collaterals syndrome in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) by integrating clinical transcriptomics, lipid metabolomics, and biomolecular network mining techniques. The invigorating the spleen and resolving phlegm group (Codonopsis Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Poria, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) targeted effective target genes such as ALDH7A1 and ACOX1 through 115 chemical components, regulated the AMPK and sphingolipid signaling pathways, significantly reduced the levels of diacylglycerol (DAG) and cholesterol esters, and effectively corrected lipid metabolism disorders. The activating blood circulation and dredging collaterals group (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, and Cinnamomi Ramulus) exerts effects through 197 chemical components by intervening in the chemokine and NOD-like receptor pathways, inhibiting the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), downregulating inflammatory factor expression, and promoting vascular function repair. The tonifying the kidney and strengthening bones group (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata and Cervi Cornu) regulated the PI3K/Akt and Ras/MAPK signaling pathways, inhibited osteoclast differentiation genes CTSK and MMP9, and facilitated the reconstruction of bone homeostasis. Transcriptomic and lipid metabolomic analyses were performed on clinical blood samples collected before and after treatment with Jianpi Huogu Formula. Multi-omics integration revealed that the three efficacy groups synergistically constructed a multidimensional network involving "lipid metabolism-immunity-bone homeostasis". A total of 594 differentially expressed effector genes (367 downregulated and 227 upregulated) were identified via clinical transcriptomics, and 179 differential lipid metabolites (mainly triglycerides and DAG) associated with the formula's efficacy were identified via lipid metabolomics. Together with 2 657 disease/syndrome-related genes, a "disease-syndrome-symptom-formula" association network was constructed. Topological eigenvalue analysis and functional mining indicated that the core network targets of Jianpi Huogu Formula in intervening SONFH mainly regulated signaling pathways such as osteoclast differentiation, apoptosis, Ras, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and p53, thereby inhibiting osteoclast activity, promoting osteoblast proliferation, balancing bone resorption and formation, and improving the bone marrow microenvironment. This study systematically reveals the scientific basis of Jianpi Huogu Formula in intervening in the pathological process of SONFH through the synergistic action of "lipid metabolism reprogramming-transcriptional regulatory network" from three key dimensions, i. e., lipid metabolism, inflammation, and bone remodeling. It fully demonstrates the holistic advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas in multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway coordinated regulation, and provides an innovative perspective and data support for elucidating the mechanism of TCM in the prevention and treatment of SONFH.

Based on integrated analysis of multi-source heterogeneous biomedical data combined with animal experimental validation, this study systematically explored the advantageous therapeutic pathways and molecular mechanisms of Jianpi Huogu Formula (JPHGF) in treating steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH). First, the candidate active components and targets of JPHGF were obtained from the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM v 2.0). Meanwhile, the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) database was used to identify potential genes associated with the corresponding syndrome pattern. Finally, clinical transcriptomic data were analyzed to obtain relevant targets for the phlegm-blood stasis blocking collateral syndrome of SONFH. The intersection of these three types of targets was used to construct a multidimensional "drug-ingredient-disease-syndrome" network. The STRING database was employed for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of core targets was performed via the DAVID platform to predict key biological processes and signaling pathways. Pharmacodynamic and mechanistic validation was subsequently conducted using a rat model of SONFH with phlegm-blood stasis obstructing collateral syndrome. Data integration and mining yielded a "disease and syndrome geneformula and drug target" network containing 146 core targets. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that JPHGF primarily regulates lipid-coupled intervention in the SONFH phlegm-blood stasis blocking collateral phenotype through the purinergic receptor P2Y12 (P2RY12) -phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) -serine/threonine kinase (Akt) -fibrinogen gamma chain (FGG) signaling pathway. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining revealed that rats with SONFH of the phlegm-blood stasis blocking collateral type exhibited reduced calcification in femoral head tissues, loosely arranged trabeculae, hypoplastic osteocytes, significantly increased lacunae, and elevated numbers of intramedullary adipocytes. Lipid profile analysis showed elevated triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, along with decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Coagulation assays demonstrated shortened activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT), as well as prolonged thrombin time (TT) and increased plasma fibrinogen levels. Immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significantly increased positive expression areas of P2RY12, phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), and FGG proteins in femoral head tissues (P<0.05). In contrast, all drug-treated groups showed significantly reduced expression of these proteins (P<0.05), with the most pronounced inhibitory effect observed in the high-dose group. These results indicate that JPHGF modulates the P2RY12-PI3K-Akt-FGG signaling axis in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, JPHGF exerts a syndrome-specific therapeutic effect through multi-target and multi-pathway synergistic actions. By particularly suppressing the excessive activation of the P2RY12-PI3K-Akt-FGG signaling axis, it improves lipid and bone metabolism abnormalities in SONFH with phlegm-blood stasis blocking collateral syndrome.

This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of diosgenin, a natural compound derived from traditional Chinese medicine, on the triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, with a focus on its induction of cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell migration. Multiple experimental approaches were employed, including RNA sequencing analysis, flow cytometry for cell cycle detection, wound healing assays to evaluate migration capacity, F-actin staining to observe cytoskeletal changes, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine cellular morphology and filopodia alterations, as well as Western blot and immunofluorescence staining to detect the expression of related proteins. RNA sequencing revealed significant gene expression differences between the diosgenin-treated group and the control group, with KEGG and GO analyses showing enrichment of differentially expressed genes mainly in pathways related to cell cycle and migration. Flow cytometry demonstrated that diosgenin induced G₀/G₁ phase arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Further Western blot and immunofluorescence assays indicated that diosgenin regulated the cell cycle via the CDC25A-CDK2/4/6 axis. Wound healing assays showed that diosgenin significantly inhibited cell migration. F-actin staining indicated that diosgenin suppressed F-actin formation and disrupted its structure. TEM observations revealed a reduction in filopodia formation on the cell surface after diosgenin treatment. Moreover, Western blot and immunofluorescence results demonstrated that diosgenin inhibited migration by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the RhoA-ROCK1 signaling pathway. In conclusion, diosgenin induces G₀/G₁ phase arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells by regulating cell cycle-related proteins and significantly inhibits cell migration by suppressing F-actin formation, reducing filopodia on the cell surface, and inhibiting EMT and the RhoA-ROCK1 pathway.

Based on the holistic regulation and multi-target characteristics of TCM, this study investigated the mechanism of Panlongqi Tablets (PLQT) in ameliorating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by regulating key proteins, including glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), and protein kinase B3 (AKT3), within the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. An adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rat model was established by intradermal injection of type Ⅱ collagen-Freund's complete adjuvant into the right hind paw, and rats received different doses of PLQT for intervention. Pharmacodynamic effects were evaluated by monitoring changes in body weight, measuring paw swelling, observing ankle synovial tissue pathology via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and detecting serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), using ELISA. Targets identified through prior network pharmacology screening were integrated with therapy-related biomarkers from untargeted metabolomics for key pathway enrichment and identification of critical targets. Western blot and RT-qPCR were subsequently used to validate the expression of these key targets. Animal experimental results showed that, compared with the model group, all PLQT dose groups significantly improved weight loss, reduced paw swelling, inhibited synovial tissue fibrosis hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration, and decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in RA rats, exhibiting a partial dose-dependent manner. Metabolomics analysis revealed that PLQT exerted regulatory effects on 179 of 276 RA-related biomarkers. Enrichment analysis revealed that GSK-3β, PIK3CA, and AKT3 proteins in the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway were the key targets for PLQT intervention in RA. Validation by Western blot and RT-qPCR demonstrated that PLQT significantly modulated the expression of these three proteins. In conclusion, the therapeutic effects of PLQT on RA are likely associated with regulation of GSK-3β, PIK3CA, and AKT3 within the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.

TCM volatile oil exhibits excellent biological activities and wide application scenarios. However, its volatility and susceptibility to oxidation and deterioration severely restrict the quality of its preparations and clinical efficacy. Therefore, stabilizing TCM volatile oil is extremely necessary. Current research mainly focuses on the development of stabilization techniques and carrier materials, aiming to enhance its stability and endow it with sustained-release and controlled-release properties. In recent years, researchers have increasingly paid attention to the intrinsic mechanisms and potential interactions during the stabilization process, which is of great significance for the development of new stabilization technologies for volatile oil and the research on new dosage forms containing volatile oil. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms of action during the stabilization of TCM volatile oil and summarizes the key methods for characterizing interactions, with the aim of providing references for the development of new stabilization technologies for TCM volatile oil and the theoretical research on its stabilization.

Poria cocos is a commonly used bulk traditional Chinese medicinal material, with multiple parts used medicinally, such as Poriae Cutis, Rubra Poria, White Poria, and Poria cum Radix Pini. Polysaccharides are their main active components. Clarifying the composition and content differences of polysaccharides in different medicinal parts of P. cocos can provide a reference for processing and clinical application of P. cocos medicinal materials and decoction pieces. In this paper, high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were employed to qualitatively compare the relative molecular mass distribution and chemical composition of alkali-soluble polysaccharides from different parts of crude P. cocos. The results showed that the composition of alkali-soluble polysaccharides in Rubra Poria and Poriae Cutis was consistent with that in White Poria, all of which were β-(1→3) -D-glucans. The relative molecular mass distribution was also relatively close, ranging approximately from 9.13×10⁴ to 1.04×10⁵. On the basis of the content determination method of β-(1→3) -D-glucan in P. cocos according to the 2025 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the preparation method of the test sample solution was optimized. Firstly, a desalination step was added, which can enable the test sample chromatogram to present only the chromatographic peak of glucose, thereby reducing the difficulty of separation. Secondly, this experiment discovered for the first time that under acidic conditions, the hydrolysis of β-(1→3) -D-glucan to glucose was accompanied by the generation of a small amount of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) as a by-product. A more intense acid hydrolysis reaction condition indicated a greater conversion yield of 5-HMF. Therefore, according to the results of single-factor experiments and response surface methodology experiments, the acid hydrolysis time was shortened from 6 h to 1.5 h, which improved the analysis efficiency. After verification, the optimized method was simple and stable, and had good repeatability and accuracy. Then, the optimized quantitative method was used to evaluate the content of β-(1→3) -D-glucan in different parts of crude P. cocos and decoction pieces. The results demonstrated that the content of β-(1→3) -D-glucan in different medicinal parts of P. cocos was in the order of White Poria, Poria cum Radix Pini, Rubra Poria, and Poriae Cutis. Among the commercially available Poria decoction pieces, the content of β-(1→3) -D-glucan in the white and hard decoction pieces was higher than that in the dark and loose-textured decoction pieces.

This study aimed to elucidate the role of the G protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35)/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling axis in mediating mitochondrial energy metabolism in radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis (RIMF) and to evaluate the interventional effect of astragaloside Ⅳ (AS-Ⅳ). Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=10 per group). Except for the blank group, all rats were anesthetized and subjected to a single 40-Gy local thoracic X-ray irradiation to establish the RIMF model. After irradiation, AS-Ⅳ was administered intragastrically once daily at doses of 80 and 160 mg·kg^-1 for 30 consecutive days. After 30 days of continuous administration, the serum levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponinI (cTnI), and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) were quantified by ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining were used to observe myocardial histopathological changes, and TUNEL staining was performed to detect cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP), as well as the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ-Ⅳ, were measured colorimetrically. The fluorescence intensity of Ca²⁺ in myocardial tissue was detected using a fluorescent probe, and ultrastructural changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The fluorescence intensity and protein expression levels of GPR35, phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK), phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), Caspase-3, Caspase-9, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), type Ⅰ collagen (COL-Ⅰ), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in myocardial tissue were analyzed by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Results showed that compared with the blank group, serum NT-proBNP, cTnI, and CK-MB levels in the model group were significantly increased. Myocardial tissue exhibited focal myocyte necrosis and dissolution, connective tissue hyperplasia, and an increased area of collagen fiber positivity. The cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate was elevated. Myocardial ATP levels were significantly decreased, while ADP and AMP levels were significantly increased. The activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ-Ⅳ were markedly reduced. The Ca²⁺ fluorescence intensity in myocardial cells was significantly enhanced. Severe mitochondrial damage was observed, showing flocculent changes, increased numbers of damaged mitochondria, swelling, rupture, disordered arrangement, disrupted cristae, and partial vacuolation. The fluorescence intensity and protein expression levels of GPR35, p-AMPK, Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, COL-Ⅰ, and α-SMA in myocardial tissue were significantly increased, whereas those of p-mTOR and Bcl-2 were decreased. Compared with the model group, AS-Ⅳ significantly reduced serum NT-proBNP, cTnI, and CK-MB levels, markedly decreased the cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, significantly increased ATP levels while reducing ADP and AMP content, enhanced the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ-Ⅳ, diminished Ca²⁺ fluorescence intensity, and alleviated mitochondrial damage, with mitochondria arranged more regularly. The fluorescence intensity and protein expression levels of GPR35, p-AMPK, Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, COL-Ⅰ, and α-SMA were significantly decreased, while those of p-mTOR and Bcl-2 were increased. In conclusion, AS-Ⅳ exerts an inhibitory effect on RIMF, and its mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the GPR35/AMPK/mTOR signaling axis to improve mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, characterized primarily by hepatic inflammation and dysregulated lipid metabolism. As a classic representative formula of the "bitter-purging method", Modified Wushi Xiexin Decoction has demonstrated definite clinical efficacy; however, its anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanisms in the treatment of NAFLD remain unclear. This study combines network pharmacology with animal experimental validation to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Modified Wushi Xiexin Decoction on NAFLD and reveal its potential mechanisms of action. Drug targets were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). NAFLD-related disease targets were retrieved from the Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base (PharmGKB), and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). R software was used to screen the intersection targets of the two sets. Core target analysis and network visualization were performed by using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database and Cytoscape 3.8.2 software. R software was applied for Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Core targets were analyzed based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the core targets. For animal experimental validation, a NAFLD mouse model was established by feeding a 60% high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Pathological improvements were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and oil red O staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in liver tissue. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot (WB) were performed to measure the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) proteins in mouse liver tissue. Network pharmacology identified 97 active components, 108 intersection targets, and 10 core targets of Modified Wushi Xiexin Decoction. GO enrichment analysis indicated that anti-NAFLD effects were exerted by regulating biological processes such as oxidative stress and nutritional levels. KEGG enrichment analysis mainly involved signaling pathways, including TLR, NF-κB, and TNF. The GEO database indicates that there is a significant difference in TLR4 expression between healthy individuals and NAFLD patients (P<0.05), with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) being greater than 0.810, suggesting a high diagnostic efficacy. Animal experiments showed that Modified Wushi Xiexin Decoction could alleviate pathological damage in the liver tissue of NAFLD mice, reduce blood lipids, improve liver function, and downregulate the expression of inflammatory factors in liver tissue. IHC and WB confirmed that Modified Wushi Xiexin Decoction could downregulate the TLR4 expression, inhibit NF-κB activity, and suppress NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In conclusion, Modified Wushi Xiexin Decoction may alleviate inflammatory responses and improve liver function and blood lipids in NAFLD by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thereby exerting therapeutic effects on NAFLD.

Published in 1856, Catalogus Medicamentorum Sinensium stands as the earliest known modern pharmacological work in existence. Compiled by the Russian scholar Alexander Tatarinov during the 19th century, this groundbreaking study systematically documented and identified the botanical origins of 495 Chinese medicinal materials procured from Beijing, supplemented with plant specimens collected in China. It represents the first application of modern scientific nomenclature, combining Latin binomial names with specified medicinal parts, for the systematic classification of Chinese medicinal materials. This research conducted a comprehensive analysis of the cataloged substances through meticulous examination of relevant literature, archival records, and reference materials. By using methods such as materia medica verification, data analysis, etc., the information of the listed drugs was verified, classified, organized, and examined, and compared with the origins recorded in modern standards or specialized works. The compendium documented 495 medicinal entries (including 33 duplicate medicinal materials), comprising 396 botanical, 35 mineral, 40 zoological, and 24 other substances. This book identified a total of 190 Chinese medicinal materials whose origin was consistent with that recorded in the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China or Chinese Materia Medica. There were 76 cases with completely different origins. Another 189 cases had their origins not fully identified, but only partial information was marked. Lastly, there were 40 cases that were either untested or could not be matched with current Chinese medicinal materials. The research results indicate that this book is the first in modern times to use Linnaean binomial nomenclature to name the origin of Chinese medicinal materials. It laid the foundation for subsequent research on the origin of Chinese medicinal materials and established the methods and annotation formats for such research. It has been subsequently adopted and referenced by subsequent TCM researchers both in China and abroad. The publication of this book can be regarded as a historical turning point in the evolution of the definition of the origin of Chinese medicinal materials from traditional to modern times. It has advanced the description of the name and reality of Chinese medicinal materials in the form of text and pictures to the definition method using modern natural classification systems and labeled with biological Latin names, which is a pioneering work. This research can provide a reference for sorting out the development process of modern research on the origin of Chinese medicinal materials.