Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Pharmacological insights into traditional Chinese medicine for heart failure: Targeting cardiac energy metabolism and mitochondrial function","authors":"Yokesh Shanmugam,&nbsp;Mahaswetha Kannuchamy,&nbsp;Lokeshvar Ravikumar","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100764","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100764","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Heart failure (HF) remains a major contributor to global cardiovascular mortality, largely due to disturbances in myocardial energy balance and mitochondrial impairment. Conventional therapies alleviate symptoms and slow disease progression but seldom restore normal cardiac bioenergetics. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides a holistic, multitarget therapeutic framework that can influence metabolic and signaling networks involved in maintaining cardiac energy homeostasis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Following the PRISMA framework, a systematic search was carried out for publications from 2021 to 2025 examining TCM-derived compounds or formulations with regulatory effects on myocardial energy metabolism in HF. Comprehensive searches across PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Springer retrieved 230,887 records. After eliminating duplicates and non-relevant studies, 1210 full-text papers were evaluated, of which four satisfied all inclusion requirements. Pharmacokinetic characteristics, effective concentrations, and dosage data were extracted to improve the quantitative assessment of included findings.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Bioactive constituents such as berberine, astragaloside IV, resveratrol, tanshinone IIA, and ginsenoside Rb1 enhanced mitochondrial performance and ATP generation mainly through activation of AMPK, PGC-1α, and mTOR signaling. Reported effective doses ranged between 10 and 50 mg/kg, with half-lives from 0.9 to 6 h and generally low oral absorption. Polyherbal preparations including Qiliqiangxin, Shengmai San, and Zhenwu Tang produced additive benefits by improving oxidative status and energy remodeling in cardiac tissue.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Evidence suggests that TCM interventions can reprogram myocardial energy metabolism and mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction, although heterogeneity in formulation and dosing limits clinical consistency.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>TCM represents a promising complementary approach for HF therapy by restoring cardiac energy dynamics, warranting further standardized pharmacokinetic and clinical investigations to validate its translational value.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100764"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146090249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Traditional Chinese medicine–derived phytochemicals in prostate cancer: Mechanisms, progress, and prospects","authors":"Karthik K Karunakar ,&nbsp;Kunal R Kataria ,&nbsp;Lincy Yabase ,&nbsp;Binoy Varghese Cheriyan ,&nbsp;Keerthi Varsha ,&nbsp;Sowmiya Philip","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100761","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100761","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men, with treatment resistance and adverse effects limiting the success of current therapies. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers bioactive phytochemicals with multitargeted anticancer properties. Among them, curcumin (from <em>Curcuma longa</em>, Jianghuang/Yujin), berberine (from <em>Coptis chinensis</em>, Huanglian), baicalin (from <em>Scutellaria baicalensis</em>, Huangqin), resveratrol (from <em>Polygonum cuspidatum</em>, Huzhang), and tanshinone IIA (from <em>Salvia miltiorrhiza</em>, Danshen) demonstrate significant therapeutic potential against PCa through modulation of key oncogenic pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This review synthesizes recent findings on the mechanistic and therapeutic roles of TCM-derived phytochemicals in prostate cancer, emphasizing their molecular targets, pharmacological pathways, and translational relevance.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, covering 2015–2025. A total of 1030 records were screened, and 75 studies meeting PRISMA 2020 inclusion criteria were analyzed, focusing on pathways such as AR, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, STAT3, and MAPK.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All five phytochemicals inhibited tumour proliferation, induced apoptosis, and reduced metastasis. Curcumin and tanshinone IIA suppressed AR and NF-κB signaling; berberine targeted AR/AKR1C3 and EMT; baicalin inhibited caveolin-1/AKT/mTOR and TP53/CDK2 axes; and resveratrol modulated PI3K/Akt/mTOR and AR-V7 pathways, reducing vasculogenic mimicry.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>TCM-derived phytochemicals exhibit multi-pathway anticancer effects through apoptosis induction, oxidative stress modulation, and AR pathway suppression. Despite promising preclinical outcomes, limited bioavailability and clinical validation remain challenges. Advances in nanodelivery systems and pharmacokinetic optimization could facilitate their clinical translation for prostate cancer therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100761"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neuroprotective effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan): Mechanisms, active compounds, and therapeutic potential","authors":"Ritesh Sharma ,&nbsp;Kuldeep Singh ,&nbsp;Deepak Sharma ,&nbsp;Abhishek Sharma ,&nbsp;Divya Jain ,&nbsp;Subbulakshmi Packirisamy ,&nbsp;Mukesh Chandra Sharma ,&nbsp;Amitabh Shad","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100760","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100760","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s involve oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal loss, with limited therapeutic options. <em>Gynostemma pentaphyllum</em> (Jiaogulan), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb rich in gypenosides, has demonstrated neuroprotective potential through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neurogenic activities.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This review synthesizes data from phytochemical, <em>in vitro, in vivo</em>, and limited clinical studies investigating the neuroprotective effects of Jiaogulan. Sources were selected from experimental models of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, focusing on mechanistic pathways, active compounds, and therapeutic relevance.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Evidence indicates that <em>Jiaogulan</em> mitigates neuronal injury via multiple mechanisms, including activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling, inhibition of NF-κB/MAPK pathways, modulation of BDNF and PI3K/Akt signaling, protection against mitochondrial dysfunction, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Most available human studies evaluate the systemic antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic effects of <em>G. pentaphyllum</em>. While these outcomes are not direct neurological endpoints, they are biologically relevant to neuroprotection, given the established links between systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurodegenerative processes. Limited clinical data suggest improvements in oxidative stress, inflammation, and cognitive outcomes, with favorable safety profiles.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The multi-target pharmacological profile of Jiaogulan aligns with the complex pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. However, gaps remain regarding compound-specific mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and large-scale clinical validation. Standardization of extracts and advanced delivery approaches may enhance translational potential.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div><em>Gynostemma pentaphyllum</em> represents a promising natural neuroprotective agent. With further mechanistic studies and well-designed clinical trials, Jiaogulan could emerge as a novel therapeutic candidate for the prevention and management of neurodegenerative diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100760"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the anti-hyperuricemic potential of Aquilaria malaccensis leaf’s methanolic extract: A multi-approach phytospectral, in silico, in vivo, radiographic investigation in rats","authors":"Pradnya N. Jagtap ,&nbsp;Priyanka.S. Rajge ,&nbsp;Vipul V. Dhasade ,&nbsp;Akanksha J. Gavali ,&nbsp;Sanika S. Wandhekar ,&nbsp;Saurabh L. Kudale ,&nbsp;Prashant R. Gaikwad ,&nbsp;Prashant N. Amale","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100759","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100759","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Hyperuricemia, characterized by elevated serum uric acid (UA), is a major risk factor for gout, renal injury, and osteoarthritic complications. Current urate-lowering agents can cause adverse effects. <em>Aquilaria malaccensis</em> (沉香, Chénxiāng, AM), traditionally used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to regulate Qi, relieve pain, and support renal function, contains flavonoid-rich constituents that may offer metabolic and anti-inflammatory benefits. This study investigates the anti-hyperuricemic potential of <em>A. malaccensis</em> methanolic extract (AMME) through phytochemical, in vitro, in vivo, and <em>in silico</em> approaches.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Methanolic leaf extract of authenticated AM was subjected to phytochemical screening, TLC, UV–Vis, and FT-IR characterization. Molecular docking was performed with xanthine oxidase (XO, PDB: 1FIQ). Hyperuricemia was induced in rats using potassium oxonate and hypoxanthine, followed by treatment with AMME. Serum uric acid (UA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were quantified, while renal histopathological analysis, knee joint radiography, and an in vitro membrane-stabilization assay were performed to evaluate protective and anti-inflammatory effects.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Flavonoids such as acacetin, luteolin derivatives, and 5‑hydroxy‑7,4′-dimethoxyflavone were identified (TLC Rf = 0.84; UV–Vis λ_max = 210, 258 nm). Docking showed favourable interactions of these compounds with XO. AMME exhibited notable membrane stabilization (85.8% inhibition at 800 µg/mL; IC₅₀ = 143.56 µg/mL). In vivo, AMME (500–1000 mg/kg) significantly reduced serum UA and CRP levels and ameliorated renal and articular alterations.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Flavonoid-rich AMME exhibited anti-hyperuricemic, anti-inflammatory, and renoprotective activities, supporting the traditional use of AM. Further studies on active-compound isolation, mechanistic validation, and pharmacokinetics are warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100759"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chinese herbal medicine improves depressive symptoms and regulates hormonal levels in the treatment of menopausal depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Kim Sia Sng ,&nbsp;Si Woei Goh ,&nbsp;Yi Ker Wong ,&nbsp;Jen Yann Chiu","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100758","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100758","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in the treatment of menopausal depression.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, Chongqing VIP, and SinoMed were searched. All RCTs were assessed for eligibility and data extraction, subsequently assessed on the quality with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Meta-analysis was performed on RevMan Web on all included studies for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI), serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), oestradiol (E2), and adverse events.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The review included 27 RCTs with 2540 participants. The quality of studies included was generally poor. Nevertheless, single use of CHM or in combination with conventional medicine significantly improved HAMD and KMI scores (<em>p</em>&lt;0.0001). CHM appears to be able to complement conventional medicine in further reducing serum FSH and LH, while increasing E2 levels. Subgroup analysis revealed that 4, 6 and 8 weeks of CHM can significantly reduce HAMD score, except for 12 weeks with no significant difference; while capsules and decoction type of CHM can significantly reduce HAMD scores, unlike granules type of CHM. Adverse events were lesser reported in the group that uses CHM when compared to single use of conventional medicine.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>CHM has its effectiveness in menopausal depression women when being used alone or may provide additional efficacies when used in combination with conventional medicine, as well as lesser side effects were reported whenever CHM is being used.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100758"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identifying active substances of Huangqin Decoction regulating intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction by mass spectrometry networking and multiscale models","authors":"Juntao Wang ,&nbsp;Yeting Zhou ,&nbsp;Xutao Ge ,&nbsp;Miao Zhu ,&nbsp;Baiping Ma ,&nbsp;Zheng Li ,&nbsp;Yi Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100755","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100755","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Huangqin decoction (HQD) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription recorded in the \"Shang Han Lun\", a decoction composed of huangqin, chishao, gancao and dazao, which has been widely used to relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and typhoid fever. However, its active components is yet to be clarified.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The chemical composition of HQD was analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), followed by network pharmacology prediction. A colonic cell line and mouse colonic organoid inflammation model were established to observe the effects of HQD and its components on inflammatory factor expression and intestinal barrier function. The efficacy of the aqueous fraction of HQD (HQD-far-A) was further validated in a zebrafish enteritis model by assessing intestinal oxidative stress levels, neutrophil aggregation levels, and goblet cell counts.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In the Caco-2 cell inflammation model, HQD and its individual components all reduced the pharmacological effects of elevated inflammatory factors. Treatment with HQD-fra-A significantly protected the intestinal epithelial barrier, including tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin, and this effect was validated in a DSS-induced intestinal organoid inflammation model. In vitro experiments demonstrated that HQD-fra-A reduced neutrophil aggregation and intestinal oxidative stress caused by intestinal inflammation in zebrafish, mitigated intestinal injury, and protected goblet cells to maintain the intestinal barrier.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>HQD has been validated as an effective treatment for colon inflammation by protecting the intestinal barrier. The multi-scale model for drug efficacy validation provides a solid foundation and new insights for advancing drug efficacy evaluations in future research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100755"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anti-proliferative activity of Delphinium denudatum wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson on U251 MG Glioblastoma Cells","authors":"Amit Man Joshi ,&nbsp;Sagar Atri ,&nbsp;Ram Adhar Yadav ,&nbsp;Santosh Kumar Thakur ,&nbsp;Mithilesh Sah ,&nbsp;Sirjana Shrestha ,&nbsp;Aftab Alam Shah ,&nbsp;Mukesh Kumar Yadav","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100753","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100753","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Delphinium denudatum</em> Wall. ex Hook.f. &amp; Thomson (<em>D. denudatum</em>), a perennial herb from the Ranunculaceae family, contains diterpenoid alkaloids with reported bioactivities. While certain <em>Delphinium</em> species are utilized in Chinese folk medicine for analgesic effects, specific documentation for <em>D. denudatum</em> in traditional Chinese medicine is limited. This study evaluates the anti-proliferative effects of its methanolic root extract (DDE) on the U251 MG glioblastoma cell line.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>U251 MG cells were treated with various concentrations of DDE and assessed for viability using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Fluorouracil (50 µg/mL) served as the positive control. The percentage of inhibition and IC₅₀ values were calculated from dose–response curves to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of the extract.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>DDE demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of U251 MG cell proliferation, peaking at ∼60% inhibition at 50 µg/mL, with an IC₅₀ of 43.75 µg/mL. Higher concentrations exhibited reduced inhibition, suggesting a biphasic response. These findings indicate selective cytotoxicity and therapeutic promise of DDE in targeting glioblastoma cells.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>These findings provide preliminary evidence of DDE's cytotoxic potential against glioblastoma cells, supporting further exploration of its bioactive constituents, such as diterpenoid alkaloids, for anti-cancer applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100753"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phyllanthus amarus as a multifunctional medicinal herb: Bioactive compounds, mechanisms, and clinical perspectives","authors":"Md Asaduzzaman ,&nbsp;Lutfun Nahar ,&nbsp;Mohammad Shahangir Biswas ,&nbsp;Munna Kumar Podder ,&nbsp;Md Matiar Rahman","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100752","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100752","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div><em>Phyllanthus amarus</em> Schumach. &amp; Thonn., commonly known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM as Yexiazhu (叶下珠, Yè xià zhū), is a widely used medicinal herb in Asian, African, and South American traditional systems. In TCM practice, Yexiazhu is traditionally prescribed for heat-clearing and detoxification, particularly in the management of liver-and kidney-related disorders, viral infections, and inflammatory conditions. Its rich phytochemical composition, including lignans, flavonoids, and tannins, has prompted increasing scientific interest in validating its traditional therapeutic applications.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>This review critically evaluates literature published between 1977 and 2025, encompassing classical TCM texts, ethnomedicinal reports, and peer-reviewed experimental studies. Major scientific databases were surveyed to collect data on phytochemical constituents, pharmacological activities, molecular mechanisms, toxicological profiles, and available clinical evidence related to <em>P. amarus</em> and Yexiazhu-based preparations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Pharmacological studies indicate that <em>P. amarus</em> exhibits hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and nephroprotective activities. These effects are primarily attributed to bioactive compounds such as phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, geraniin, corilagin, and quercetin. Commonly used TCM preparations, including aqueous decoctions and granule formulations of Yexiazhu, demonstrate therapeutic potential through modulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling pathways, viral replication, and metabolic regulation. Despite strong experimental support from in vitro and in vivo models, clinical findings remain limited, heterogeneous, and occasionally inconsistent, particularly for hepatitis B and metabolic disorders.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Collectively, <em>P. amarus</em> (Yexiazhu) represents a multifunctional medicinal herb with substantial experimental evidence supporting its traditional use in TCM and other medical systems. However, challenges related to species differentiation, phytochemical standardization, formulation variability, and limited high-quality clinical trials restrict its translation into modern evidence-based medicine. Future research should focus on standardized Chinese preparations, mechanistic validation, and rigorously designed clinical studies to clarify its therapeutic efficacy and safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100752"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Echinacea-derived alkylamides as complementary immunomodulators: Potential for integration with synthetic immunosuppressive therapies","authors":"Fatemeh Ahmadi ,&nbsp;Ha Truong Nguyen ,&nbsp;Zahra Ahmadi","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100754","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100754","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The escalating incidence of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders has intensified reliance on synthetic immunosuppressants, yet long-term safety issues and incomplete therapeutic responses persist. Concurrently, echinacea (紫锥菊, Zǐ Zhuī Jú) extracts rich in alkylamides show promising complementary immunoregulatory activity via cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB₂) engagement and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) modulation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, echinacea is classified as a medicinal herb with a wide applications in treating wind-heat common cold, fever, cough, and sore throat.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This review integrates current pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic evidence on (i) corticosteroids, DMARDs, biologics, and JAK inhibitors, and (ii) echinacea-derived alkylamides and caffeic acid derivatives, to identify synergistic mechanisms relevant to integrative immunomodulation. We synthesised data from peer-reviewed articles retrieved through Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. Emphasis was placed on receptor-binding assays, in vivo efficacy models, and Phase I–III clinical trials.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Synthetic agents chiefly exert single-target or pathway-restricted actions, e.g., glucocorticoid receptor transactivation, JAK–STAT blockade, yielding rapid symptom control but cumulative adverse events. By contrast, echinacea alkylamides demonstrate multi-target behaviour: nanomolar-affinity CB₂ activation dampens TNF-α and IL-6, whereas partial TLR4 antagonism re-balances Th1/Th2 cytokine bias, potentially complementing conventional immunosuppression. Integrating phytotherapeutics with conventional immunosuppressants may optimize efficacy–safety ratios through dose-sparing effects and enhanced therapeutic windows. However, heterogeneity in echinacea chemotypes demands rigorous standardization and head-to-head clinical trials evaluating combination therapies.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The orthogonal engagement of CB₂ and TLR4 pathways by alkylamides complements the single-target mechanisms of corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and JAK inhibitors, enabling additive anti-inflammatory effects and potential dose-sparing strategies. This review positions echinacea as a rational adjuvant platform for next-generation complementary immunomodulation strategies within the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine, supporting the development of personalized integrative approaches to immune disorders. Future research should exploit systems-biology-guided formulation to harness additive CB₂–TLR4 crosstalk in integrative treatment protocols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100754"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Can Arthrospira (Spirulina) sp. be used to protect the kidneys and prevent hypertension? a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies","authors":"Gabrielly Hilário da Silva ,&nbsp;Sabrina Swan Souza da Silva ,&nbsp;Ana Lúcia Figueiredo Porto ,&nbsp;Raquel Pedrosa Bezerra","doi":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100751","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prmcm.2026.100751","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), natural products such as <em>Spirulina</em> have been valued for centuries for their ability to regulate blood pressure and support organ function, including renal health. <em>Arthrospira</em> (<em>Spirulina</em>) sp., a blue-green cyanobacterium recognized by the United Nations as a \"superfood of the future,\" is rich in phycocyanin, a pigment with emerging nephroprotective potential. This review evaluates the effects of <em>Spirulina</em> or phycocyanin, alone or in combination with other bioactives, on biomarkers of kidney function.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Systematic searches of databases like MEDLINE, Web of Science, LILACS, ScienceDirect, and CENTRAL between 2011 and 2024 are used to identify relevant studies for systematic reviews. The random-effect and inverse variance models were applied to verify data and perform meta-analysis. RoB tool for intervention studies (SYRCLE's RoB tool) and Cochrane Collaboration were used to assess quality and risk of bias.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 267 studies were identified, and after screening, 10 were selected for analysis. Despite high heterogeneity across studies, the overall effects were statistically significant. Risk of bias was low across all domains, indicating reliable and robust findings.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The meta-analysis revealed that <em>Arthrospira</em> (Spirulina) and C-phycocyanin supplementation significantly improved biomarkers of kidney function, reducing serum creatinine, urea, uric acid, and urinary protein levels, as well as lowering systolic blood pressure in preclinical models. Despite consistent trends toward renoprotection and antihypertensive effects, high heterogeneity across studies highlights the need for further research to define optimal doses, treatment durations, and experimental conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101013,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine","volume":"18 ","pages":"Article 100751"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}