The American journal of Chinese medicine最新文献

Gastric cancer is a significant global health issue. Celastrol, a natural compound, has shown antitumor potential, but its molecular mechanism in gastric cancer remains unclear. In this study, we treated HGC-27 cells with celastrol and employed CCK8, colony formation, and Transwell assays, revealing its inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and migration. Flow cytometry assay results showed that celastrol could elevate the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HGC-27 cells. By using the iron ion and malondialdehyde (MDA) detection kits, it was found that celastrol promoted the accumulation of iron ions (Fe[Formula: see text] in HGC-27 cells, increased the MDA content, and simultaneously decreased the glutathione (GSH) content. Additionally, Western blot analysis indicated that celastrol exerts an inhibitory effect on the expression of ferroptosis-marker proteins GPX4 and SLC7A11. PCR array and further experiments identified CERKL as a key factor, whose downregulation by celastrol was associated with enhanced ferroptosis. In vivo, celastrol inhibited tumor growth without affecting body weight or organ histology. Our findings suggest that celastrol may inhibit gastric cancer via CERKL-regulated ferroptosis, providing a potential therapeutic strategy.

It is crucial to prevent and treat liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease. Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is a natural flavonoid compound from traditional Chinese medicine, known to alleviate chronic liver injury. However, its role in regulating inflammatory responses through gut microbiota and metabolic changes remains unclear. In this study, a mouse model of liver fibrosis was induced with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), and DMY was administered via gavage. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), 16S rRNA sequencing, and untargeted metabolomics were employed to evaluate DMY's pharmacological effects on CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis and explore its underlying mechanisms. Our results show that DMY reduced the aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) serum levels in liver fibrosis model mice, and lowered the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis markers. Additionally, DMY restored the richness and diversity of the gut microbiota, with several microbiota taxa significantly correlating with inflammatory markers. Metabolomic analysis of serum and liver tissue revealed that DMY significantly altered the liver metabolite disturbances induced by CCl₄. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a strong relationship between microbial composition and liver metabolites. These results suggest that DMY alleviates liver fibrosis in mice by reshaping the gut microbiota and host metabolism, thereby improving the inflammatory response.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a ubiquitous sensor of cellular energy and nutrient status in eukaryotic cells. It serves an essential function in the modulation of energy balance and metabolism homeostasis through its regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism and protein metabolism. The dysregulation of AMPK is closely related to a series of systemic diseases, affecting multiple organs and tissues. Baicalin is a natural compound derived from the dry raw root of Scutellaria baicalensis, and it has been found to exhibit several potential pharmacological actions. These include hepatoprotective effects, anti-inflammation effects and anti-tumor effects. These biological activities are related to the regulatory effect of baicalin on the host metabolism, which is closely associated with AMPK modulation. In this review, we provide an overview of the regulatory effect of baicalin on AMPK and its upstream and downstream signaling pathways. The pharmacological properties and underlying mechanism of baicalin for regulating AMPK were summarized with regards to four aspects: regulatory effect of baicalin on AMPK in lipid metabolism and glucose metabolism, regulatory effect of baicalin on AMPK in its pharmacological effect of anti-tumor and anti-inflammation. As a natural compound, baicalin has the potential for the management of certain AMPK-related diseases.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has protected the health of Chinese people for thousands of years. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), various fields of TCM are facing both opportunities and challenges. This review discusses the development prospects and challenges of Chinese medicine in the AI era, emphasizing that AI, as an important tool in the process of Chinese medicine healthcare services, can assist doctors in making objective, rational and professional treatment decisions, and that AI has a strong potential for development in the field of Chinese medicine. However, the emotions, complex thoughts, and humanistic values of doctors are qualities that AI is currently unable to realize, so as the dominant player, the doctor is indispensable to the medical process. By summarizing and analyzing the current development status of AI in diagnosis, drug research, health management and education in TCM, this paper reveals the development prospects and potential risks of combining TCM with AI, and suggests that AI is an important aid for modernizing and improving the quality of TCM medical care in a coordinated manner.

The intestinal absorption of active herbal constituents plays an important role in the biomedical efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulations after oral administration. TCM compounds with low oral bioavailability can reach the distal intestine and then interact with intestinal flora, influencing the botanical pharmacological effects. In this study, in vitro digestion and an ex vivo Ussing chamber model were utilized to evaluate the intestinal absorption behavior of Forsythiae Fructus-Lonicerae Japonicae Flos-containing Yinqiao Jiedu Granule (YQJDG). It was found that the jejunum exhibited active absorption effects for some components of the formula, while the oral bioavailability of other herbal ingredients was low. Through further research using a combined UPLC-MS/MS and 16S rDNA sequencing technique, we studied the existence of the reciprocal interactions between YQJDG and gut microbiome. The in vitro fecal fermentation results showed that YQJDG significantly impacted the microbial community composition. The YQJDG markedly increased the abundance of beneficial microorganisms, such as Parabacteroides distasonis and Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. Macedonicus, and suppressed the abundance of conditional pathogens including Prevotella steorerea, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, and Bacteroides. These effects may potentially contribute to the body's immune functions and anti-inflammatory capacities. UPLC-MS/MS analysis suggested that the fecal microbiota chemically transformed constituents with low bioavailability to more readily absorbed potentially active metabolites. These findings provided valuable insights into the absorption characteristics of YQJDG and its interaction with the gut microbiome, further facilitating our understanding of precise pharmacological mechanisms of action of this Chinese herbal formulation.

Shikonin, a natural bioactive compound derived from medicinal plants, demonstrates extensive pharmacological properties in traditional Chinese medicine, and exhibits significant therapeutic potential for modern diseases such as cancers and immune-related disorders. Over the past decades, research has focused on its anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. In vitro and in vivo studies have elucidated its mechanisms at cellular and molecular levels. Shikonin exerts antitumor effects by inducing multiple cell death modalities through caspase-3 activation, ROS generation, modulation of ATF3 expression, modulation of RIP1/RIP3 signaling, and activation of the BAX/caspase-3/GSDME pyroptosis axis. Furthermore, it suppresses tumor cell proliferation, inhibits metastasis, and blocks cell cycle progression by downregulating oncogenic c-Myc and MMP2 while upregulating the cell cycle inhibitor P21. It also enhances chemosensitivity via β-catenin modulation. Furthermore, shikonin inhibits PD-L1 expression through the NF-κB/STAT3 and NF-κB/CSN5 pathways, and mediates tumor immunomodulation as a result. Its anti-inflammatory capacity is attributed to the regulation of immune cells, signaling pathways (e.g., TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6). The regulation of these processes thereby enhances anti-inflammatory responses in target organs and mitigates autoimmune diseases. This review systematically deciphers shikonin's mechanisms in tumor suppression, inflammation resolution, and immune regulation, offering novel insights for interdisciplinary research bridging oncology, immunology, and inflammation biology, and laying a foundation for advancing immune-modulating cancer therapies and autoimmune disease management.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient medical system with distinctive ethnic characteristics. TCM diagnosis, underpinned by unique theoretical frameworks and methodologies, continues to play a significant role in contemporary healthcare. The four fundamental diagnostic methods, inspection, auscultation-olfaction, inquiry and palpation, are inherently subjective, relying on practitioner experience. Despite its unique advantages and practical value, TCM must still take advantage of modern advancements to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility. With the rapid development of computer technology, intelligent TCM diagnosis has emerged as a promising frontier. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI), particularly through large language models (LLMs), offers new avenues for enhancing TCM diagnostic practices. However, the systematic review and analysis of these technologies remains limited. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the development and recent advancements in TCM diagnostic technologies, focusing on the applications of ML across various data modalities, and including images, text, and waveforms. Additionally, it explores the latest applications of LLMs within the TCM diagnostic field. Furthermore, the review discusses the prospects and challenges associated with AI-based TCM diagnosis. By systematically summarizing the latest research achievements and technological advancements, this study aims to provide directional guidance and decision support for future research and practical applications in the intersection of AI and TCM. Ultimately, this review seeks to foster the continued development and integration of intelligent TCM diagnosis into modern healthcare.

Cistanche deserticola polysaccharides (CDPS) exhibit a range of pharmacological activities, most notably in immune modulation, anti-oxidation, and gut microbiota regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that restoring gut microbial and metabolic homeostasis may decelerate the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the specific in vivo effects and underlying mechanisms of CDPS in the context of AD remain incompletely understood. In this study, we employed behavioral tests, 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, and time-resolved metabolomic analyses to comprehensively evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of CDPS. CDPS administration significantly ameliorated cognitive impairment, suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, and reduced A[Formula: see text] deposition and Tau hyperphosphorylation in the brains of APP/PS1 Tg mice. These effects were associated with CDPS-induced modulation of gut microbial composition - especially the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio - and regulation of D-Proline and Histidine metabolism. Further in vitro and in vivo validation confirmed that D-Proline and Histidine, key CDPS-associated metabolites, protected against A[Formula: see text]-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress. Notably, the cognitive benefits of CDPS were markedly weakened under conditions of gut microbiota disruption or immune suppression, which highlights the importance of microbial and immune system integrity in mediating its therapeutic effects. Collectively, these findings highlight gut microbial and metabolic disturbances as critical contributors to AD pathogenesis, and support CDPS as a promising multi-target therapeutic strategy. The integration of longitudinal microbiota and metabolomic profiling offers novel mechanistic insights into the neuroprotective actions of CDPS in AD.

Chrysin, a naturally occurring flavonoid and FDA-approved dietary supplement, is ubiquitously present in fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms. Emerging evidence highlights its broad-spectrum therapeutic potential against diverse pathologies, including inflammation, cancers, organ injuries, metabolic dysfunctions, and neuropathic pain. Nevertheless, critical gaps persist in understanding its physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetic profile, and precise molecular mechanisms, and there remains only limited systematic evaluation of advanced drug delivery systems and structural modification strategies. This review comprehensively synthesizes cutting-edge advances in understanding chrysin's natural sources, physicochemical characteristics, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic features, innovative drug delivery systems, and chemical modifications. Through a rigorous analysis of peer-reviewed literature, we reveal that chrysin exerts its therapeutic effects predominantly by modulating key signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT3, NF-κB, and FOXM1/β-catenin. Despite a poor oral bioavailability, next-generation nano-platforms have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in enhancing bioavailability and targeted delivery, while structure-optimized derivatives further amplify their therapeutic index. By integrating current knowledge, this work not only provides a holistic overview of chrysin as a multifunctional bioactive compound but also identifies pressing challenges. Targeted research in these areas is imperative to unlock the full translational potential of chrysin for clinical applications.