Ellagitannins are a class of structurally complex polyphenolic compounds and are common bioactive constituents in many traditional Chinese medicines and natural medicines. They possess significant application value in pharmaceuticals, food, and nutraceuticals. This article primarily reviews the pharmacological effects of ellagitannins derived from TCMs in disease treatment, summarizing their bioactivities in conjunction with their chemical structures, metabolism, and transformation characteristics. The aim is to provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of TCM resources rich in ellagitannins.

Pain, as the main symptom of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), is considered in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) to be related to the generation and circulation of qi and blood. Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction is a modified formula derived from the combination of Sini Powder and Taohong Siwu Decoction. It specializes in promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, moving qi, and relieving pain, and is mainly used to treat chest pain, headache, and other symptoms caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis. Clinically, this formula is often applied to treat cardiovascular diseases such as angina pectoris and coronary heart disease, but it can also be used for PHN of the qi stagnation and blood stasis type. Therefore, this article reviews the etiology and pathogenesis of PHN, as well as the research progress on Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction and its treatment of PHN, analyzing the formulation principles and compatibility characteristics of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction in treating PHN, with the aim of providing references for the expanded application of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction and the treatment of PHN.

Ganoderma is a valuable medicinal fungus with significant importance in both traditional Chinese medicine and modern medical practices. Historically, it has been esteemed for its abilities to replenish Qi (vital energy), calm the mind, and alleviate cough and asthma. In recent years, polysaccharides extracted from Ganoderma have garnered considerable attention as one of its primary active constituents, owing to their diverse pharmacological activities, including anti - tumor, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti - aging effects. This review summarizes the current research on the chemical structures and pharmacological effects of Ganoderma polysaccharides, aiming to provide a reference for their further development and application.

The concept of "Internal Deficiency and Latent Wind" was proposed by the Miao Xiyong, a physician in Ming Dynasty, based on the understanding of sages, as a new insight into the pathogenesis of stroke. He believed that in the hot and humid southern regions, people are prone to stroke due to the consumption of true yin and dual deficiency of yin and yang; internal heat becomes rampant, and phlegm - heat congests the airways, leading to the obstruction of the meridians and the onset of stroke. This article starts from the theoretical understanding of 'Internal Deficiency and latent Wind' and, combined with the characteristics of cold regions, suggests that the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke in cold areas is related to the depletion of the liver and kidneys, deficiency of yin and yang; internal phlegm - dampness and heat - stasis interplay; external cold invasion and the mutual stimulation of wind and cold; as well as the combined invasion of external and internal dryness. Treatment should pay attention to the climate and physical characteristics of cold regions, focus on dispersing external wind and removing phlegm - stasis, and emphasize replenishing the true yin of the liver and kidneys. Additionally, moistening agents should be used with discretion to nourish yin, moisten dryness, and open the Xuanfu, with the aim of providing a reference for the clinical prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke in cold regions.

The incidence rate of reflux esophagitis with depression is increasing, which is one of the common diseases in the department of spleen and stomach. The location of reflux esophagitis with depression is in Shaoyang, and the main pathogenesis is the dysfunction of the Shaoyang axis. In terms of treatment, the main approach is to choose a formula and use a combination of tonifying and tonifying agents. Shaoyang is unfavorable and the middle qi is disharmonious. It is advisable to treat it by reconciling Shaoyang, harmonizing the stomach, and reducing adverse reactions. The prescription is Xiaochaihu decoction; If Shaoyang loses its power and the fire is in disorder, it should be treated to harmonize Shaoyang and spread the fire, and then choose Chaihu Guizhi Longgu Muli decoction; Shaoyang depression and damp heat are prevalent, and it is advisable to treat them by dividing and dissipating diarrhea, and promoting Shaoyang. The prescription is Haoqin Qingdan decoction. This article explores the etiology and pathogenesis and drugs and treatment of reflux esophagitis with depression from the perspective of Shaoyang, aiming to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of reflux esophagitis with depression.

To investigate the mechanism of Yangxin Granules in regulating GSK3β, COX2 and AQP2 to intervene in water - sodium retention in heart failure rats. Methods: One hundred SPF - grade SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (10 rats) and modeling group (90 rats). The modeling group underwent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 2 weeks to establish a post - myocardial infarction heart failure model. The modeling group was then randomly divided into model group, Yangxin Granules low - dose, medium - dose, and high - dose groups, tolvaptan group, and combined intervention group (tolvaptan + Yangxin Granules). All groups received once - daily drug interventions. Urine output was collected at 6, 12, and 24 h during weeks 2 and 4 of treatment. After the final administration, cardiac ultrasound was performed to record left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS). Urine output and body weight were recorded, and heart and kidney indices were calculated. Serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were measured by ELISA. Myocardial tissue pathology was observed via HE and Masson staining. Western blot was used to detect expression levels of GSK3β, COX2, and AQP2 proteins in renal tissues.Results: Compared with the model group, Yangxin Granules increased urine output(P < 0.05), decreased serum BNP levels (P <0.05), improved cardiac function (LVEF and LVFS, P < 0.05, P <0.01), and upregulated COX2 expression (P <0.05). Compared with the model group, the tolvaptan and combination groups showed downregulated GSK3β and AQP2 expression (P <0.01). Yangxin Granules alleviated myocardial tissue damage and inflammatory cell infiltration.Conclusion: Yangxin Granules can regulate renal tubular GSK3β and COX2 expression, thereby inhibiting AQP2, reducing water reabsorption, thus exerting therapeutic effects on water - sodium retention in heart failure.

Objective: To investigate the impact of Dahuang Lingxian Formula (Rheum Officinale and Radix Clematidis Formula, DHLX) on the intestinal microbiota's structure and function in guinea pigs suffering from gallbladder stones.Methods: Fifty guinea pigs were randomly assigned to a blank group, a model group, and a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) group. The model group consumed a high - fat diet to induce gallbladder stones, while the TCM group received DHLX for 8 weeks alongside the same high - fat diet. Colon fecal samples were collected at the 8th week and subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing for analyzing intestinal flora composition, diversity, and functional predictions.Results: ①The OTU count was 4623 in the normal group, 3970 in the model group, and 4335 in the TCM group; 474 OTUs were common to all three groups. ② Major dominant phyla encompassed Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Spirochaetes. In the model group, Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia increased, while Firmicutes and Spirochaetes decreased. Conversely, in the TCM group, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Verrucomicrobia decreased, while Proteobacteria and Spirochaetes increased. ③ The intestinal flora diversity index (Ace, Chao1, Shannon, Simpson) showed no significant difference between groups. ④ The intestinal flora distribution of the model group significantly diverged from the normal group, with partial overlap observed between the TCM and model groups.⑤In the blank group, Ruminococcus, Rikenellaceae, and other genera were highly expressed; Paludibacteraceae and Verrucomicrobia were prominent in the model group; Alphaproteobacteria and Desulfovibrio were highly expressed in the TCM group. ⑥The intestinal microbiota of the blank group exhibited anaerobic and biofilm synthesis traits. In the model group, Gram - negative bacteria increased, while mobile genetic elements and biofilm synthesis decreased. However, in the TCM group, the characteristics of Gram - negative bacteria and biofilm synthesis were restored.Conclusion: The intestinal microbiota structure undergoes significant changes during gallbladder stone formation, and DHLX effectively regulates the flora, restoring it to a normal steady state.

Objective: To explore the mechanism of liver injury induced by Dictamni Cortex water extract through interference with lipid metabolism in the liver.Methods: Thirty - two SPF - grade male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, high - dose Dictamni Cortex group (8.1 g/kg), medium - dose group (2.7 g/kg), and low - dose group (0.9 g/kg), with 8 rats in each group. The rats were administered by gavage for 8 weeks. Liver weight, liver - to - body weight ratio, and liver toxicity - related indicators were measured to observe changes in the rats' liver. Hematoxylin - eosin (HE) staining and Oil Red O staining were used to assess the pathological changes and lipid droplet accumulation in liver tissues. The mRNA levels of AMPK, PPAR - α, IL - 1β, and TNF - α were detected in liver tissues. Lipid levels in the liver were analyzed by LC - MS/MS, and multivariate statistical analysis was used to identify differentially expressed lipid metabolites.Results: Compared with the control group, the liver - to - body weight ratio was increased in all Dictamni Cortex dose groups(P < 0.01, P < 0.001). In the high - dose group, AST、ALT、ALB levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). HE and Oil Red O staining showed that the high - dose group significantly induced fatty liver lesions in rats. The mRNA levels of inflammatory factors IL - 1β and TNF- α were significantly increased (P < 0.01), while the mRNA levels of PPAR - α, were significantly reduced (P <0.01). Lipidomics analysis showed that, compared to the control group, 156 lipid species were significantly altered in the high - dose group, including glycerolipids, phosphatidylcholine, sphingolipids, etc. Specific lipids such as PC(16∶0/18∶2), PC(16∶0/18∶1)、PC(14∶0/18∶2)、PC(15∶0/18∶2)、TG(16∶0/16∶0/16∶0), TG(18∶0/16∶0/16∶0)、SM(d42∶1), SM (d42∶2), SM (d42∶3) showed significantly variation levels after treatment. These results suggest that the high - dose Dictamni Cortex water extract disturbed lipid metabolism in the liver of rats.Conclusion: The water extract of Dictamni Cortex induces liver injury in rats by interfering with lipid metabolism, particularly sphingolipids (SM), ceramides (Cer), triglycerides (TG), and phosphatidylcholine (PC).

Objective: To investigate the pharmacokinetic effects of Aurantii Fructus Carbon Quantum Dots (AFIC-CDs) on paeoniflorin (PF), the main active component of Paeonia.Methods: Male Kunming mice were randomly divided into three groups: high - dose AFIC - CDs (120 mg·mL^-1) and PF co - administration group (H), low - dose AFIC - CDs (60 mg·mL^-1) and PF co - administration group (L), and PF alone (2.0 mg·mL^-1) group (S). Mice were orally administered mixed solutions of high or low - dose AFIC - CDs with the same dose of PF, or PF alone. Paeoniflorin levels in the mouse blood were determined by indirect competitive enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay(icELISA) using anti - PF monoclonal antibodies, and pharmacokinetic parameters of PF were compared among the groups.Results: Co - administration of AFIC - CDs with PF significantly increased PF blood concentration and the area under the blood concentration - time curve (AUC - t) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), with increases observed as the AFIC-CDs concentration increased. Compared to PF administration alone, the Cmax of PF in the high - dose and low - dose AFIC - CDs + PF groups increased from (695.43 ± 229.73) ng·mL^-1 to (1 615.31 ± 245.16) ng·mL^-1 and(973.11 ± 155.90) ng·mL^-1, respectively. The AUC - t increased from (90 181.22 ± 20 926.42) ng·min·mL^-1 to(257 510.74 ± 26 729.64) ng·min·mL^-1 and (116 654.67 ± 11 770.02) ng·min·mL^-1, respectively.Conclusion: AFIC - CDs can enhance the bioavailability of PF, providing scientific evidence for clinical co - medication to improve therapeutic efficacy.

The Jiexi acupoint (ST 41) belongs to the Stomach Meridian of Foot - Yangming and has a special anatomical location. Its clinical application reflects the holistic concept of "treating upper diseases from lower." This principle originates from the Huangdi Neijing, which states, "For diseases in the upper body, treat the lower body." This article explores Jiexi's therapeutic approach of treating upper diseases from below from five perspectives: tracing the origins of Jiexi, analyzing its nature, and clarifying its application, clarifying the use of Jiexi Point, enlightenment on the use of Jiexi Point. The Jiexi acupoint is also noted in the phrase "treat muscular atrophy by selecting points on the Yangming meridian," demonstrating its efficacy in treating ankle atrophy. As a key point on the stomach meridian, it helps to alleviate local edema and clear heat in the Stomach meridian. The stomach meridian of Foot - Yangming extends to the hairline and forehead, so needling the Jiexi acupoint can treat upper body conditions, such as headaches and brain disorders, by regulating them from below. In the five elements, Jiexi belongs to fire and shares an affinity with the eyes, heart, and pericardium. The upper portion of the Foot - Yangming meridian connects to the heart, while the major collateral vessel of the stomach, known as Xuli, is located at the point of the heart's pulsation. This connection lays the foundation for treating eye diseases, heart - related conditions, and mental disorders. As an acupoint on the meridian, Jiexi is also indicated for treating coughs, fevers, and chills. Additionally, the theory of "treating edema by targeting the meridian" suggests that Jiexi can be used to address both external coughs and stomach - related coughs accompanied by edema. Jiexi point has a wide range of clinical applications in combination with other points, and it is rich in special needling techniques. Jiexi and Yang Jiao points, both belonging to the fire element, can be used together to treat palpitations. A classic case is appended to verify their effectiveness.