Cucurbitacin B and Its Derivatives: A Review of Progress in Biological Activities.

The emergence of natural products has provided extremely valuable references for the treatment of various diseases. Cucurbitacin B, a tetracyclic triterpenoid compound isolated from cucurbitaceae and other plants, is the most abundant member of the cucurbitin family and exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and even agricultural applications. Due to its high toxicity and narrow therapeutic window, structural modification and dosage form development are necessary to address these issues with cucurbitacin B. This paper reviews recent research progress in the pharmacological action, structural modification, and application of cucurbitacin B. This review aims to enhance understanding of advancements in this field and provide constructive suggestions for further research on cucurbitacin B.

Study of the Pharmacodynamic Material Basis And Mechanisms of the Action of Fubai Chrysanthemum in Relieving Visual Fatigue.

Fubai chrysanthemum is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, which can be used as a common food, and is commonly used to improve and relieve visual fatigue. However, its pharmacodynamic material basis and action mechanisms in relieving visual fatigue have not been systematically studied. In this article, 11 absorbed ingredients from Fubai chrysanthemum were detected in rat plasma. Then, the target network pharmacology and KEGG pathway analysis were performed. It was found that Fubai chrysanthemum could inhibit various apoptotic cells and reduce oxidative damage of eyes by regulating the apoptosis pathway, thus alleviating visual fatigue. Further in vitro experiments showed that Fubai chrysanthemum could effectively protect against oxidation damage of adult retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19), retinal ganglion cells (RGC-5), and lens. The results of cell experiments showed that Fubai chrysanthemum could increase the cell activity, GSH content, and SOD content of ARPE-19 and RGC-5 after oxidative injury, while decreasing the IL-18 content. Similarly, in the study of lens transparency, we found that Fubai chrysanthemum could effectively alleviate the oxidative damage degree of the lens, and significantly increase the content of CAT, GSH, and SOD. The above results suggested that Fubai chrysanthemum could play an important role in alleviating visual fatigue through regulating cell apoptosis and antioxidative damage.

Mechanism and therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine extracts in sepsis.

Sepsis is a complex syndrome characterized by multi-organ dysfunction, due to the presence of harmful microorganisms in blood which could cause mortality. Complications associated with sepsis involve multiple organ dysfunction. The pathogenesis of sepsis remains intricate, with limited treatment options and high mortality rates. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has consistently demonstrated to have a potential on various disease management. Its complements include reduction of oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammatory pathways, regulating immune responses, and improving microcirculation. Traditional Chinese medicine can mitigate or even treat sepsis in a human system. This review examines progress on the use of TCM extracts for treating sepsis through different pharmacological action and its mechanisms. The potential targets of TCM extracts and active ingredients for the treatment of sepsis and its complications have been elucidated through molecular biology research, network pharmacology prediction, molecular docking analysis, and visualization analysis. Our aim is to provide a theoretical basis and empirical support for utilizing TCM in the treatment of sepsis and its complications while also serving as a reference for future research and development of sepsis drugs.

Comprehensive Review of Olea europaea: A Holistic Exploration into Its Botanical Marvels, Phytochemical Riches, Therapeutic Potentials, and Safety Profile.

Human health is now inextricably linked to lifestyle choices, which can either protect or predispose people to serious illnesses. The Mediterranean diet, characterized by the consumption of various medicinal plants and their byproducts, plays a significant role in protecting against ailments such as oxidative stress, cancer, and diabetes. To uncover the secrets of this natural treasure, this review seeks to consolidate diverse data concerning the pharmacology, toxicology, phytochemistry, and botany of Olea europaea L. (O. europaea). Its aim is to explore the potential therapeutic applications and propose avenues for future research. Through web literature searches (using Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus), all information currently available on O. europaea was acquired. Worldwide, ethnomedical usage of O. europaea has been reported, indicating its effectiveness in treating a range of illnesses. Phytochemical studies have identified a range of compounds, including flavanones, iridoids, secoiridoids, flavonoids, triterpenes, biophenols, benzoic acid derivatives, among others. These components exhibit diverse pharmacological activities both in vitro and in vivo, such as antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer, and wound-healing properties. O. europaea serves as a valuable source of conventional medicine for treating various conditions. The findings from pharmacological and phytochemical investigations presented in this review enhance our understanding of its therapeutic potential and support its potential future use in modern medicine.

Advances in pharmacological effects and mechanism of action of cinnamaldehyde.

Cinnamaldehyde is extracted from Cinnamomum cassia and other species, providing diverse sources for varying chemical properties and therapeutic effects. Besides natural extraction, synthetic production and biotechnological methods like microbial fermentation offer scalable and sustainable alternatives. Cinnamaldehyd demonstrates a broad pharmacological range, impacting various diseases through detailed mechanisms. This review aims to encapsulate the diverse therapeutic effects of cinnamaldehyde, its molecular interactions, and its potential in clinical applications. Drawing on recent scientific studies and databases like Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect, this review outlines cinnamaldehyde's efficacy in treating inflammatory conditions, bacterial infections, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular and kidney diseases. It primarily operates by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway and modulating pro-inflammatory mediators, alongside disrupting bacterial cells and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. The compound enhances metabolic health by improving glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity and offers cardiovascular protection through its anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effects. Additionally, it promotes autophagy in kidney disease management. Preclinical and clinical research supports its therapeutic potential, underscoring the need for further investigation into its mechanisms and safety to develop new drugs based on cinnamaldehyde.

New insights of propolis nanoformulation and its therapeutic potential in human diseases.

Background and purpose: Scientific research is crucial to develop therapies for various disease severity levels, as modern drugs cause side effects and are difficult to predict. Researchers are exploring herbal alternatives with fewer side effects, particularly propolis, which has been validated through in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. This will focus on scientific evidence and its supporting technology for developing new bioactive compounds for chronic diseases. Nanotechnology can improve the delivery and absorption of herbal medicines, which often have poor bioavailability due to their high molecular weight and solubility in water, particularly in oral medicines. This technology can enhance propolis's effects through multi-target therapy and reduce side effects. Experimental approach: All publications related to each section of this review were discovered using the search engines Google Scholar, Scopus, and Pubmed. This was only available for publication between 2013 and 2023. The selected publications were used as references in this review after being thoroughly studied. Key results: Evaluation of propolis active compounds, the classification of propolis nano formulations, design concepts, and mechanisms of action of propolis nano formulation. Additionally, the challenges and prospects for how these insights can be translated into clinical benefits are discussed. Conclusion: In the last ten years, a list of nanoformulation propolis has been reported. This review concludes the difficulties encountered in developing large-scale nanoformulations. To commercialize them, improvements in nano carrier synthesis, standardized evaluation methodology within the framework of strategy process improvement, and Good Manufacturing Practices would be required.

[Research progress on processing history evolution, chemical constituents, and pharmacological action of Scorpio].

Scorpio is a valuable Chinese animal medicine commonly used in clinical practice in China. It is the main drug in the treatment of liver wind internal movement caused by various reasons throughout the history of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), with the effects of relieving wind and spasm, dredging collaterals, relieving pain, and eliminating toxin and mass. Scorpio is poisonous and often used as medicine after processing. There are records of its processing as early as the Song Dynasty. Afterward, there were more than 15 processing methods, including frying with vinegar, neat processing, and stir-frying. After processing, the fishy smell could be removed to correct the taste, and the toxicity could be reduced, which was beneficial to clinical application. At present, the main reported components in Scorpio are protein polypeptides, alkaloids, and lipids, with many pharmacological effects, such as anti-cancer, anti-coagulation, anti-thrombosis, anti-atherosclerosis, and anti-bacteria. In this study, the historical evolution of processing, chemical constituents, and pharmacological action of Scorpio were discussed in order to provide references for the related research on Scorpio.

Current advances on the therapeutic potential of scutellarin: an updated review.

Scutellarin is widely distributed in Scutellaria baicalensis, family Labiatae, and Calendula officinalis, family Asteraceae, and belongs to flavonoids. Scutellarin has a wide range of pharmacological activities, it is widely used in the treatment of cerebral infarction, angina pectoris, cerebral thrombosis, coronary heart disease, and other diseases. It is a natural product with great research and development prospects. In recent years, with in-depth research, researchers have found that wild scutellarin also has good therapeutic effects in anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-virus, treatment of metabolic diseases, and protection of kidney. The cancer treatment involves glioma, breast cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer, colon cancer, and so on. In this paper, the sources, pharmacological effects, in vivo and in vitro models of scutellarin were summarized in recent years, and the current research status and future direction of scutellarin were analyzed.

A review of the pharmacological action and mechanism of natural plant polysaccharides in depression.

Depression is a prevalent mental disorder. However, clinical treatment options primarily based on chemical drugs have demonstrated varying degrees of adverse reactions and drug resistance, including somnolence, nausea, and cognitive impairment. Therefore, the development of novel antidepressant medications that effectively reduce suffering and side effects has become a prominent area of research. Polysaccharides are bioactive compounds extracted from natural plants that possess diverse pharmacological activities and medicinal values. It has been discovered that polysaccharides can effectively mitigate depression symptoms. This paper provides an overview of the pharmacological action and mechanisms, intervention approaches, and experimental models regarding the antidepressant effects of polysaccharides derived from various natural sources. Additionally, we summarize the roles and potential mechanisms through which these polysaccharides prevent depression by regulating neurotransmitters, HPA axis, neurotrophic factors, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, tryptophan metabolism, and gut microbiota. Natural plant polysaccharides hold promise as adjunctive antidepressants for prevention, reduction, and treatment of depression by exerting their therapeutic effects through multiple pathways and targets. Therefore, this review aims to provide scientific evidence for developing polysaccharide resources as effective antidepressant drugs.

Insights into the Structure of Sucralfate by Advanced Solid- and Liquid-State NMR.

Sucralfate, which is a sucrose octasulfate aluminum complex, is an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) falling in the category of cytoprotective agents which are very effective for gastric and duodenal ulcers. On interaction with stomach acid, it ionizes into aluminum and sucrose octasulfate ions to form a protective layer over the ulcerated region inhibiting further attack from acid. The mechanism of action of sucralfate in the context of its structure is not well understood. Considering that at least two forms of this API are available in the market, there are no reports on the various forms of sucralfate and differences in their pharmacological action. We characterized the two forms of sucralfate using multinuclear, multidimensional solid-state NMR, and the results show significant structural differences between them arising from variation in the aluminum environment and the level of hydration. The impact of structural differences on pharmacological action was examined by studying acid-induced Al release by 27Al liquid-state NMR. The sucralfate, European pharmaceutical standard, Form I, undergoes faster disruption in acid compared to Form II. The difference is explained on the basis of structural differences in the two forms which gives significant insights into the action of sucralfate in relation to its structure.

An overview of pharmacological effects of Crocus sativous and its constituents.

Crocus sativus L. was used for the treatment of a wide range of disorders in traditional medicine. Due to the extensive protective and treatment properties of C. sativus and its constituents in various diseases, the purpose of this review is to collect a summary of its effects, on experimental studies, both in vitro and in vivo. Databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus were explored until January 2023 by employing suitable keywords. Several investigations have indicated that the therapeutic properties of C. sativus may be due to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the nervous, cardiovascular, immune, and respiratory systems. Further research has shown that its petals also have anticonvulsant properties. Pharmacological studies have shown that crocetin and safranal have anti-oxidant properties and through inhibiting the release of free radicals lead to the prevention of disorders such as tumor cell proliferation, atherosclerosis, hepatotoxicity, bladder toxicity, and ethanol induced hippocampal disorders. Numerous studies have been performed on the effect of C. sativus and its constituents in laboratory animal models under in vitro and in vivo conditions on various disorders. This is necessary but not enough and more clinical trials are needed to investigate unknown aspects of the therapeutic properties of C. sativus and its main constituents in different disorders.

Analysis of the Potential Angiogenic Mechanisms of BuShenHuoXue Decoction against Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation.

OBJECTIVE: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common orthopedic disease with a high disability rate. The clinical effect of BuShenHuoXue decoction (BSHX) for ONFH is satisfactory. We aimed to elucidate the potential angiogenic mechanisms of BSHX in a rat femoral osteonecrosis model and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). METHODS: With in vivo experiments, we established the steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) model using Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (8-week-old). The rats were randomly divided into five group of 12 rats each and given the corresponding interventions: control, model (gavaged with 0.9% saline), BSHX low-, medium- and high-dose groups (0.132 3, 0.264 6, and 0.529 2 g/mL BSHX solution by gavage). After 12 weeks, haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was preformed to evaluate rat osteonecrosis. the expression of angiogenic factors (CD31, VEGFA, KDR, VWF) in rat femoral head was detected by immunohistochemistry, qPCR and western blotting. In cell experiment, BMSCs were isolated and cultured in the femoral bone marrow cavity of 4-week-old SD rats. BMSCs were randomly divided into eight groups and intervened with different doses of BSHX-containing serum and glucocorticoids: control group (CG); BSHX low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (CG + 0.661 5, 1.323, and 2.646 g/kg BSHX gavage rat serum); dexamethasone (Dex) group; and Dex + BSHX low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (Dex + 0.661 5, 1.323, and 2.646 g/kg BSHX gavaged rat serum), the effects of BSHX-containing serum on the angiogenic capacity of BMSCs were examined by qPCR and Western blotting. A co-culture system of rat aortic endothelial cells (RAOECs) and BMSCs was then established. Migration and angiogenesis of RAOECs were observed using angiogenesis and transwell assay. Identification of potential targets of BSHX against ONFH was obtained using network pharmacology. RESULTS: BSHX upregulated the expression of CD31, VEGFA, KDR, and VWF in rat femoral head samples and BMSCs (p < 0.05, vs. control group or model group). Different concentrations of BSHX-containing serum significantly ameliorated the inhibition of CD31, VEGFA, KDR and VWF expression by high concentrations of Dex. BSHX-containing serum-induced BMSCs promoted the migration and angiogenesis of RAOECs, reversed to some extent the adverse effect of Dex on microangiogenesis in RAOECs, and increased the number of microangiogenic vessels. Furthermore, we identified VEGFA, COL1A1, COL3A1, and SPP1 as important targets of BSHX against ONFH. CONCLUSION: BSHX upregulated the expression of angiogenic factors in the femoral head tissue of ONFH model rats and promoted the angiogenic capacity of rat RAOECs and BMSCs. This study provides an important basis for the use of BSHX for ONFH prevention and treatment.

Isolation, phytochemistry, characterization, biological activity, and application of Morinda officinalis How oligosaccharide: a review.

Morinda officinalis How oligosaccharide (MOO) stands as one of the principal active constituents of M. officinalis How, widely employed in traditional Chinese medicine. The methods for MOO extraction predominantly encompass hot water extraction, ethanol extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction. Distinct extraction techniques yield varying MOO quantities. MOO encompasses a diversity of oligosaccharides, including bajijiasu, sucrose, 1-kestose, nystose, mannose, 1F-fructofuranosylnystose, 1,1,1,1-kestohexose, fructoheptasaccharide, inulin-type hexasaccharide, inulin-type heptasaccharide, inulotriose, inulotetraose, inulopentaose, and mannose. MOO exhibits a wide spectrum of biological activities, exerting specific effects on the nervous system, cardiovascular system, motor system, reproductive system, and immune system. It demonstrates antidepressant properties, offers potential in mitigating Alzheimer's disease, stimulates angiogenesis, and possesses anti-osteoporotic and other pharmacological effects. Clinically, when combined with various antidepressants, MOO exhibits specific therapeutic efficacy across multiple forms of depression. As a naturally occurring plant oligosaccharide, MOO holds diverse pharmaceutical applications. This article conducts a review of the latest extraction and purification methodologies, structural characterization analysis, biological activity assessment, and clinical applications of MOO. Such a comprehensive analysis yields innovative insights for advancing the research and application of MOO in the future.

Research progress in the quality evaluation of Salvia miltiorrhiza based on the association of 'morphological features - functional substances - pharmacological action - clinical efficacy'.

Background: Salvia miltiorrhiza (Salvia miltiorrhiza Radix et Rhizoma) is the dried root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., a plant of the labiate family. It is a type of traditional Chinese medicine that can promote blood circulation for removing blood stasis. It is often used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in a clinic.Aim of the study: High-quality Chinese herbal medicines are the premise of the safe and effective use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in clinics. We aim to prove the rationality of the traditional identification method, namely, 'the redder the root colour and the thicker the root, the better is the quality', to use the morphological features of Salvia miltiorrhiza as the main index to quickly and directly evaluate its quality. Materials and methods: By referring to relevant ancient books, domestic and foreign literature, and academic papers, we summarised the research progress regarding the morphological features, functional substances, pharmacological action, and clinical efficacy of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Results: The redder the colour, the thicker the root, and the denser the texture, the better is the quality of Salvia miltiorrhiza. In Salvia miltiorrhiza, tanshinone ⅡA and salvianolic acid B are the main functional substances that protect the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular functions. The higher the content of these two functional substances, the better is the clinical efficacy of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Conclusion: The research idea of the correlation between the 'morphological features, functional substances, pharmacological action, and clinical efficacy' can be applied to evaluate the quality of Salvia miltiorrhiza. This research idea and method can also be applied to more Chinese herbal medicines.

Pharmacological Effects of Astragaloside IV: A Review.

Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is one of the main active components extracted from the Chinese medicinal herb Astragali and serves as a marker for assessing the herb's quality. AS-IV is a tetracyclic triterpenoid saponin in the form of lanolin ester alcohol and exhibits various biological activities. This review article summarizes the chemical structure of AS-IV, its pharmacological effects, mechanism of action, applications, future prospects, potential weaknesses, and other unexplored biological activities, aiming at an overall analysis. Papers were retrieved from online electronic databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI, and data from studies conducted over the last 10 years on the pharmacological effects of AS-IV as well as its impact were collated. This review focuses on the pharmacological action of AS-IV, such as its anti-inflammatory effect, including suppressing inflammatory factors, increasing T and B lymphocyte proliferation, and inhibiting neutrophil adhesion-associated molecules; antioxidative stress, including scavenging reactive oxygen species, cellular scorching, and regulating mitochondrial gene mutations; neuroprotective effects, antifibrotic effects, and antitumor effects.

Research Progress of Tamarixetin and its glycosides.

Tamarixetin and its glycosides are widely distributed in natural plants, and they are also natural flavonoid derivatives of quercetin. Its main pharmacological effects include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, cardiovascular effects, etc. The pharmacokinetics showed that the distribution of direct absorption differed from that of biosynthesis. At the same time, research shows that tamarixetin is safe to use because it has little self-toxicity. In this paper, 181 articles on tamarixetin published from 1976 to 2023 are obtained from PubMed, China Knowledge Base Database, Wanfang Data, and other electronic databases. Tamarixetin is searched based on keywords, and 121 articles remain. Transformation synthesis, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological action, and structure-activity relationship of tamarixetin were reviewed.

The potential of traditional herbal active ingredients in the treatment of sarcopenia animal models: focus on therapeutic effects and mechanisms.

Sarcopenia is a major global public health problem that harms individual physical function. In 2018, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in the Elderly 2 classified sarcopenia into primary and secondary sarcopenia. However, information on the pathogenesis and effective treatment of primary and secondary sarcopenia is limited. Traditional herbal active ingredients have biological activities that promote skeletal muscle health, showing potential preventive and therapeutic effects on sarcopenia. Therefore, this narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of global traditional herbal active ingredients' beneficial therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms on sarcopenia-related animal models. For this purpose, we conducted a literature search in three databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase, consistent with the review objectives. After the screening, 12 animal studies met the review themes. The review results showed that the pathological mechanisms in sarcopenia-related animal models include imbalanced protein metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, insulin resistance, endoplasmic reticulum stress, impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, and autophagy-lysosome system aggravation. Eleven traditional herbal active ingredients exerted positive anti-sarcopenic effects by ameliorating these pathological mechanisms. This narrative review will provide meaningful insight into future studies regarding traditional herbal active ingredients for treating sarcopenia.

Prevention and treatment of inflammatory arthritis with traditional Chinese medicine: Underlying mechanisms based on cell and molecular targets.

Inflammatory arthritis, primarily including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, is a group of chronic inflammatory diseases, whose general feature is joint dysfunction with chronic pain and eventually causes disability in older people. To date, both Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have developed a variety of therapeutic methods for inflammatory arthritis and achieved excellent results. But there is still a long way to totally cure these diseases. TCM has been used to treat various joint diseases for thousands of years in Asia. In this review, we summarize clinical efficacies of TCM in inflammatory arthritis treatment after reviewing the results demonstrated in meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and clinical trials. We pioneered taking inflammatory arthritis-related cell targets of TCM as the entry point and further elaborated the molecular targets inside the cells of TCM, especially the signaling pathways. In addition, we also briefly discussed the relationship between gut microbiota and TCM and described the role of drug delivery systems for using TCM more accurately and safely. We provide updated and comprehensive insights into the clinical application of TCM for inflammatory arthritis treatment. We hope this review can guide and inspire researchers to further explore mechanisms of the anti-arthritis activity of TCM and make a great leap forward in comprehending the science of TCM.

[Research progress on processing historical evolution, chemical constituents, and pharmacological action of Bombyx Batryticatus].

Bombyx Batryticatus is a precious traditional Chinese animal drug commonly used in clinical practice in China, which has the effects of extinguishing wind, stopping convulsions, dispelling wind, relieving pain, resolving phlegm, and dissipating mass. The processing of Bombyx Batryticatus has a long history. As early as in the Liu Song period of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, there was a record of the processing of Bombyx Batryticatus with rice swill. In addition to the processing with bran, honey bran, and ginger juice, which are still used today, there are also processing methods such as rendering, flour processing, wine processing, salt processing, oil processing, charcoal, and red dates processing in ancient times. After processing, the fishy smell of Bombyx Batryticatus can be removed, and avoid nausea and vomiting caused by the direct taking. Furthermore, processing can also facilitate the removal of surface hairs and toxicity reduction, making the medicinal material crispy and easy to crush. Previous studies have shown that the main chemical constituents of Bombyx Batryticatus include protein polypeptides, sterols, and flavonoids, with anticonvulsant, anticoagulation, antithrombotic, anti-cancer, hypnotic, hypoglycemic, and other pharmacological effects. This paper reviewed the processing historical evolution, chemical constituents, and pharmacological effects of Bombyx Batryticatus to lay a foundation for the research on the processing mechanism, quality control, and active core substances of Bombyx Batryticatus.