Sijunzi decoction granules in the prevention and treatment of recurrence of colorectal adenoma: Study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: The recurrence of colorectal adenomas (CRAs) after endoscopy predisposes patients to a risk of colorectal cancer. Guided by the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), patients with colorectal diseases usually manifest with spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS) and are treated with Sijunzi decoction (SJZD). Therefore, this trial aims to explore the efficacy and safety of SJZD in the prevention and treatment of CRAs recurrence. Methods: SJZD on prevention and treatment of CRAs recurrence after resection: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was designed. Patients who undergo polypectomy of CRAs will be recruited and randomized into a SJZD group and a placebo group in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention phase will be 12 months. The follow-up period will last 24 months. The primary outcome is the CRA recurrence rate after intervention. The secondary outcomes include the CRA recurrence rate at the second year post-polypectomy, the pathological type of adenoma and the alterations in SDS scores after intervention. Discussion: Previous clinical practice has observed the sound effect of SJZD in the context of gastrointestinal diseases. A number of experiments have also validated the active components in SJZD. This trial aims to provide tangible evidence for the usage of SJZD, hoping to reduce the recurrence of CRAs.

"Swiss Army Knife" black phosphorus-based nanodelivery platform for synergistic antiparkinsonian therapy via remodeling the brain microenvironment.

The combination of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, neuroinflammation, and pathogenic protein aggregation disrupt the homeostasis of brain microenvironment, creating conditions conducive to the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). Restoring homeostasis by remodeling the brain microenvironment could reverse this complex pathological progression. However, treatment strategies that can induce this effect are currently unavailable. Herein, we developed a "Swiss Army Knife" nanodelivery platform consisting of matrine (MT) and polyethylene glycol-modified black phosphorus nanosheets (BP) that enables PD treatment by restoring brain microenvironment homeostasis. Under NIR irradiation, the photothermal effect induced by BP allowed the nanomedicine to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and entered the brain parenchyma. In PD brains, the biological effects of BP and MT resulted in the removal of excess ROS, effective reduction of neuroinflammation, decreased aggregation of pathogenic proteins, and improved neurotransmitter delivery, eventually restoring dopamine levels in the striatum. This study demonstrated the effective capacity of a BP-based nanodelivery platform to enter the brain parenchyma and trigger multiple neuropathological changes in PD brains. The platform serves as a safe and effective anti-PD nanomedicine with immense clinical potential.

Brain-Targeted Biomimetic Nanodecoys with Neuroprotective Effects for Precise Therapy of Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the gradual loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates called Lewy bodies. Here, nanodecoys were designed from a rabies virus polypeptide with a 29 amino acid (RVG29)-modified red blood cell membrane (RBCm) to encapsulate curcumin nanocrystals (Cur-NCs), which could effectively protect dopaminergic neurons. The RVG29-RBCm/Cur-NCs nanodecoys effectively escaped from reticuloendothelial system (RES) uptake, enabled prolonged blood circulation, and enhanced blood-brain barrier (BBB) crossing after systemic administration. Cur-NCs loaded inside the nanodecoys exhibited the recovery of dopamine levels, inhibition of α-synuclein aggregation, and reversal of mitochondrial dysfunction in PD mice. These findings indicate the promising potential of biomimetic nanodecoys in treating PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Ultrasound Comparative Analysis of Coronary Arteries before and after Immune Blocking Therapy with Gamma Globulin in Children with Kawasaki Disease.

Objective: To investigate the ultrasound characteristics and clinical efficacy of coronary arteries before and after immune blocking therapy with gamma globulin in children with Kawasaki disease. Methods: A total of 64 children with Kawasaki disease who were treated in our hospital from January 2018 to October 2021 were selected. All the children were given immune blocking therapy with gamma globulin on the basis of conventional treatment. The disappearance time of related symptoms and signs (fever, mucosal congestion, cervical lymphadenopathy, and swelling of the hands and feet) in children were counted. The white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PLT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) levels of the children before and after treatment were compared, and the characteristics of coronary echocardiography before and after treatment were observed for analysis and discussion, to carefully observe whether the coronary artery involvement of the children was improved. Results: The inner diameter of the left and right coronary arteries significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the levels of leukocytes, platelets, CRP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and endostatin were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment, with a statistical difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The effect of gamma globulin in the treatment of Kawasaki disease is remarkable, which can improve the blood indexes, VEGF, and endostatin levels in children, significantly reduce coronary dilatation, and reduce the incidence of coronary artery disease. Echocardiography is of high value in the examination of children with Kawasaki disease, which can accurately detect the size, location, and inner diameter of coronary artery lesions, and can effectively evaluate the treatment effect on children.

Ethnobotanical study on plants used to dye traditional costumes by the Baiku Yao nationality of China.

BACKGROUND: The Baiku Yao is a branch of the Yao nationality in China. The unique dying process of traditional clothing employed by these people has distinct national characteristics, a profound impact on the production and life of local people, and important research value. For this reason, it is important to investigate and document the dyeing plants and the traditional knowledge involved in the dyeing of Baku Yao traditional clothing. METHODOLOGY: Information on dyeing plants was obtained using the free-list method and interviews with 61 Baiku Yao informants in Guangxi and Guizhou from January 2020 to August 2021. Based on the free-list method, we evaluated and screened out important plants by calculating the cognitive salience value of each plant. RESULTS: The results showed that the people of Baiku Yao have accumulated rich traditional knowledge of dyeing plants and long-term dyeing and other processes. We collected 23 species and recorded the related traditional knowledge, such as the Baiku Yao name, life form, habitat, part(s) used, application type, usage, and area used. The utilization of dyeing plants has a strong relationship with ethnic culture. The Baiku Yao uses unique anti-dyeing material (Ailanthus vilmoriniana) in the cotton dyeing process, they call it "the mother tree". As well as, the results also showed that 15 plants (65.2%) have medicinal value and can be used to treat 18 aliments, and wild plants play a very important role in the life of the Baiku Yao. CONCLUSION: These plants not only meet the color needs of the Baiku Yao people but also have health care effects, aligning with the trends toward green dyeing and the health contentiousness of modern people. This study provides a reference for the inheritance and development of Baiku Yao traditional clothing dyeing culture, will aid the identification of new natural, safe and healthy textile dyes, and is of positive significance in promoting regional economic development, national cultural inheritance, and biodiversity protection.

Visualizing the Sensitive Lithium with Atomic Precision: Cryogenic Electron Microscopy for Batteries.

Lithium (Li)-metal batteries are one of the most promising candidates for the next-generation energy storage devices due to their ultrahigh theoretical capacity. The realistic development of a Li metal battery is greatly impeded by the uncontrollable dendrite proliferation upon the chemically active metallic Li. To visualize the micromorphology or even the atomic structure of Li deposits is undoubtedly crucial, while imaging the sensitive Li still faces a huge challenge technically.Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), an emerging imagery technology renowned for structural elucidation of biomaterials, is offering increased possibilities for analyzing sensitive battery materials reaching subangstrom resolution. Particularly for revealing metallic Li, cryo-EM exhibits remarkable superiority compared with the conventional electron imaging technique. On the one hand, cryo-EM could prevent the low melting-point Li metal from being damaged by the high electron dose induced thermal effect. On the other hand, the extremely low temperature immensely retards the rate of the side reaction where the Li reacts with the atmosphere or water vapor before the vacuum state. Consequently, the cryo-EM could acquire a high-resolution image of electron-beam sensitive Li in its native state at the nano- or even atomic scale, thus benefiting the fundamental perception and rational design of Li metal anodes.Thus, in this Account, we aim to highlight the significance of cryo-EM in analyzing metallic Li and developing a high-performance Li metal battery. We focus on how highly resolved cryo-EM realizes the breakthrough in detecting the crucial evolution during battery cycling, e.g., lattice ordering of Li, nanostructures of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), nucleation sites, and interface between the solid electrolyte and the Li anode. First, we briefly summarize the progress of Li metal imaging by cryo-EM in a timed sequence. In particular, the recent studies from our group are classified in order to systematically delineate the advantages that cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) addressed on understanding and developing the Li metal battery. Second, the efforts of exhibiting the long-range ordering Li lattice are described to cognize the crystal orientation of both Li dendrites and uniform spheres. Subsequently, the nanostructures of SEI detected by cryo-TEM, maybe the most key information during Li plating/stripping, are systematically summarized. Benefitting from the subangstrom visualization on the newly formed and the particular inactive SEI after long-term cycling, we emphasize cryo-TEM's guidance in designing a robust, highly Li+ conductive, and Li-restoration facilitated SEI. We then propose the strategy of introducing a nucleation-site to enable uniform Li deposition by showing the evidence of Li nucleation atomically monitored through cryo-TEM. Moreover, the series of the work of atomic imagery and corresponding optimization of the interfaces between the polymer-based solid electrolyte and the Li anode are concluded. Finally, critical perspectives about the further step of cryo-TEM in the realistic development of high-energy density battery systems are also succinctly reviewed.

Plant diversity in herbal tea and its traditional knowledge in Qingtian County, Zhejiang Province, China.

Herbal teas composed of locally occurring plant species have long been used as the primary form of health care in Qingtian County, Zhejiang Province, China. However, large-scale emigration overseas and an aging population threaten the conservation of traditional knowledge of these herbal teas. Traditional knowledge about the plants used for these herbal teas is not well documented in Qingtian, despite their widespread use. The aim of this study was to assess the plant-cultural diversity of plants used as herbal teas, and to point out the prospective value of herbal teas used by Qingtian people. This study was conducted using semi-structured interviews, as well as field and market surveys. Forty-three local informants were interviewed. We recorded plant resources, plant parts used, local names, and medicinal uses. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including cognitive salience (CS), frequency of citation (FC), index of informant consensus (Fic) and use value (UV), were calculated to analyze the level of representativeness and relative importance of plants used in herbal teas. One hundred and twenty-nine species belonging to 75 families and 113 genera were reported to be used in herbal tea, with Compositae being the richest family. Whole plants are most commonly used to make herbal teas (66.7%). In this study, informants reported that 92.2% of plant species used in herbal teas are wild. The most utilized herbal preparation form is dry/fresh. Informants reported that herbal teas are used to treat 31 ailments. Our results show that the highest representativeness, based on CS and FC, was recorded for species Actinidia eriantha. Based on UV, the top five most used species are Goodyera schlechtendaliana, Plantago asiatica, Prunella vulgaris, Lophatherum gracile and Leonurus japonicus. The highest Fic was cited for dental medicine. This study helps document the status of current herbal teas in Qingtian. The use value and traditional knowledge of herbal teas have provided basic data for further research focused on bioactivity studies and sustainable utilization of the most important species.

Ang-(1-7) treatment attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced early pulmonary fibrosis.

Early pulmonary fibrosis is the leading cause of poor prognosis in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, whether the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) can serve as a therapeutic target is unknown. In this study, an animal model of early pulmonary fibrosis was established via the LPS three-hit regimen. Afterwards, the animals were treated with intraperitoneal injections of Ang-(1-7), AVE0991, or A779 once per day for 20 days. The plasma and BALF AngII levels of the animals were increased, while there were no significant changes in Ang-(1-7) levels in lung tissue after LPS treatment. Furthermore, the AT1R protein levels were significantly increased and the Mas levels were significantly decreased on days 14 and 21. Administration of Ang-(1-7) downregulated LPS-induced AT1R mRNA expression, which was upregulated by A779. The expression of Mas mRNA responded in the opposite direction relative to AT1R. Moreover, LPS caused decreased levels of Mas and E-cadherin and increased AT1R, Vimentin, and Src phosphorylation levels. Ang-(1-7) or AVE0991 blocked these effects but was counteracted by A779 treatment. Our findings suggested that AngII and AT1R levels exhibit opposite dynamic trends during LPS-induced early pulmonary fibrosis, as do Ang-(1-7) and Mas. Ang-(1-7) exerts protective effects against early pulmonary fibrosis, mainly by regulating the balance between AngII and AT1R and between Ang-(1-7) and Mas and by inhibiting Src kinase activation.

Yao herbal medicinal market during the Dragon Boat Festival in Jianghua County, China.

BACKGROUND: The traditional medicinal markets held during the Dragon Boat Festival are common and important in China's countryside. In Jianghua, a Yao autonomous county in Hunan Province in China, the medicinal market also plays an important role for the application, conservation, and communication of traditional Yao medicinal knowledge. METHODS: During the Dragon Boat Festival in 2016 and 2017, ethnobotanical surveys and inventories were conducted in the medicinal market of Jianghua County, and voucher plant specimens were collected, identified, and deposited in a herbarium. Quantitative analysis included measurement of frequency of occurrence for species in the marketplace and the relative importance index for the number of uses for a given species. RESULTS: A total of 306 plant species (249 genera, 113 families) and their related information about the medicinal market were collected. Some major findings include the following: (1) Using the whole plant as medicine is more common than other medicinal plant parts; (2) treating rheumatism and clearing inner heat are the most frequent medicinal uses; and (3) taking a medicinal bath is the most frequent modality to administer the traditional medicine. The frequency of occurrence and the relative importance index of some medicinal plants were analyzed, as well as the demographics and the number of stalls and the status of traditional Yao medicinal knowledge in Jianghua. Based on the investigation, suggestions were proposed for better protecting the medicinal market and preserving traditional medicinal knowledge in Jianghua County. CONCLUSION: The medicinal market during the Dragon Boat Festival in Jianghua County possesses an important cultural value and helps to conserve the traditional Yao medicinal knowledge. The medicinal plants sold at the market showed great diversity and unique local characteristics. The medicinal market is facing some challenges in such a rapidly developing era. Cultivation of young healers and maintaining the local biodiversity might be the key solutions for the development of local medicinal market and local Yao medicinal knowledge.

Ethnobotanical survey of plant species for herbal tea in a Yao autonomous county (Jianghua, China): results of a 2-year study of traditional medicinal markets on the Dragon Boat Festival.

BACKGROUND: Herbal tea is widely consumed in Jianghua, a Yao autonomous county in Hunan Province, China, to prevent and treat diseases. The materials in herbal tea at the traditional medicinal markets at the Dragon Boat Festival remain unknown. The aims of the paper were (1) to specifically investigate the materials of herbal tea used by Yao nationalities in Hunan Province, (2) to record the most common and the culturally important medicinal plant species in the markets, and (3) to compare the medical plant tradition both used for herbal tea between the Jianghua and Lingnan regions. METHODS: During 2016-2017, 215 vendors were interviewed at traditional medicinal markets at the Dragon Boat Festival in Jianghua to record plants used for herbal tea and to document traditional knowledge of their medicinal function, habitat, and conservation status. Bunches of medicinal plants were purchased to identify the species and to prepare voucher specimens. Cognitive salience (CS) based on free-lists and use value (UV) were calculated to analyze the cultural importance of medical plants; other quantitative methods (coefficient of similarity and chi-square analysis) were applied for comparison of herbal tea tradition between the Jianghua and Lingnan regions. RESULTS: A total of 169 species belonging to 66 families and 142 genera were recorded in herbal tea to treat health conditions in the study area. There were 30 health conditions that were recorded, with heat-clearing and detoxifying being the most common medicinal function, followed by treating rheumatism and promoting blood circulation. Of the 169 species, 97 were herbs. The whole plant was the most commonly used plant part in the preparation of herbal tea. According to the national evaluation criteria, three of these species are listed on "China's red list" and registered as vulnerable (VU). By comparing the coefficient of similarity of herbal tea plants and the number of mentions for part(s) used in Jianghua and Lingnan, the medicinal plant tradition is different in two areas. CONCLUSIONS: Herbal tea in Jianghua reflects the cultural diversity of the Yao people and the plant diversity of the region. Future research on the safety, efficacy, and the adulterants of herbal tea are needed for sustainable utilization.

Plants traditionally used to make Cantonese slow-cooked soup in China.

BACKGROUND: Lǎo huǒ liàng tang (Cantonese slow-cooked soup, CSCS) is popular in Guangdong, China, and is consumed by Cantonese people worldwide as a delicious appetizer. Because CSCS serves as an important part of family healthcare, medicinal plants and plant-derived products are major components of CSCS. However, a collated record of the diverse plant species and an ethnobotanical investigation of CSCS is lacking. Because of globalization along with a renewed interest in botanical and food therapy, CSCS has attracted a growing attention in soup by industries, scientists, and consumers. This study represents the first attempt to document the plant species used for CSCS in Guangdong, China, and the associated ethnomedical function of plants, including their local names, part(s) used, flavors, nature, preparation before cooking, habitats, and conservation status. METHODS: In 2014-2017, participatory approaches, open-ended conversations, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 63 local people and 48 soup restaurant owners (111 interviews) to better understand the biocultural context of CSCS, emphasizing ethnobotanical uses of plants in Guangdong Province, China. Product samples and voucher specimens were collected for taxonomic identification. Mention Index (QI), frequency of use index (FUI), and economic index (EI) were adopted to evaluate the significance of each plant in the food supply. RESULTS: A total of 97 plant species belonging to 46 families and 90 genera were recorded as having been used in CSCS in the study area. Recorded menus consisted of one or several plant species, with each one used for different purposes. They were classified into 11 functions, with clearing heat being the most common medicinal function. Of the 97 species, 19 grew only in the wild, 8 species were both wild and cultivated, and 70 species were cultivated. Roots and fruits were the most commonly used plant parts in the preparation of CSCS. According to the national evaluation criteria, six of these species are listed on "China's red list" including two endangered, two critically endangered, one near-threatened, and one vulnerable species. The QI, FUI, and EI of the 97 species in the study varied between 0.09 and 1, 0.23 and 9.95, and 0.45 and 6.58, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: As an important part of Cantonese culture, CSCS has been popularized as a local cuisine with a healthcare function. CSCS also reflects the plant species richness and cultural diversity of Guangdong Province. Future research on the safety and efficacy of CSCS as well as on ecological and cultural conservation efforts is needed for the sustainable growth of China's botanical and medicinal plant industry.

[Screening potential DNA barcode regions of genus Papaver].

DNA barcoding is an effective technique in species identification. To determine the candidate sequences which can be used as DNA barcode to identify in Papaver genus, five potential sequences (ITS, matK, psbA-trnH, rbcL, trnL-trnF) were screened. 69 sequences were downloaded from Genbank, including 21 ITS sequences, 10 matK sequences, 8 psbA-trnH sequences, 14 rbcL sequences and 16 trnL-trnF sequences. Mega 6.0 was used to analysis the comparison of sequences. By the methods of calculating the distances in intraspecific and interspecific divergences, evaluating DNA barcoding gap and constructing NJ and UPMGA phylogenetic trees. The sequence trnL-trnF performed best. In conclusion, trnL-trnF can be considered as a novel DNA barcode in Papaver genus, other four sequences can be as combination barcode for identification.

Identification of Crocus sativus and its Adulterants from Chinese Markets by using DNA Barcoding Technique.

BACKGROUND: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a common but very expensive herbal medicine. As an important traditional medicine, it has an outstanding effect in treating irregular and painful menstruation. Recently, the over-demand tendency of saffron results in an unusual phenomenon in the medicinal markets. Adulterants and saffron-like substitutes are intentionally mixed into medicinal markets and pharmacies or online stores, affecting drug safety and food quality. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to identify saffron from its adulterants via DNA barcoding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples (13 saffron + 4 others containing Carthamus tinctorius or Chrysanthemum x morifolium) obtained from 12 different provinces of China. Through DNA barcoding, samples were compared using three candidate markers, trnH-psbA, rbcL-a and ITS2. RESULTS: trnH-psbA and rbcL-a were capable of distinguishing different accessions. ITS2 could identify samples even at intra-specific level. According to these three barcodes, four samples were identified saffron-like substitutes. CONCLUSIONS: The adulterant rate in Chinese markets reaches as high as 33.33% that may cause health risks and further may reduce saffron efficacy once is being used as herbal remedy. In order to make a distinction between C. sativus with other genera as adulterants, DNA barcoding is suggested.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory caffeoyl phenylpropanoid and secoiridoid glycosides from Jasminum nervosum stems, a Chinese folk medicine.

Eight compounds including four caffeoyl phenylpropanoid glycosides, jasnervosides A-D (1-4), one monoterpenoid glycoside, jasnervoside E (5), and three secoiridoid glycosides, jasnervosides F-H (10-12), were isolated from the stems of Jasminum nervosum Lour. (Oleaceae), along with four known compounds, poliumoside (6), verbascoside (7), α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)-1-O-E-caffeoyl-ß-d-glucopyranoside (8), and jaspolyanthoside (9). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of their physicochemical and spectroscopic properties. Compounds 1, 2, 4 and 11 displayed potent antioxidant activities in the DPPH assay, while 2 and 3 displayed good activities against LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-1ß production in BV2 cells. Compounds 1-5 and 10-12 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines (A-549, Bel-7402, and HCT-8), but none displayed significant activity.

[Progress of experimental research on treating Alzheimer's disease by acupuncture].

To discuss the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), we summarized the mechanisms of treating AD animal models by acupuncture from literatures in recent years as follows. Senile dementia rats' cognitive capabilities and memory could be improved by reduction of beta-amyloid protein, attenuation of excessive phosphorylation of tau protein, regulation of center neurotransmitter dysmetabolism, oxidation of anti-free radicals, reduction of neuron apoptosis in the cortex and the hippocampus, inhibition of glial cells' differentiation, adjustment of G protein signaling transduction, and improvement of the mitochondrial dysfunction, thus providing experimental evidence for treating AD by acupuncture.

Ethnobotany of dye plants in Dong communities of China.

BACKGROUND: Dyes derived from plants have an extensive history of use for coloring food and clothing in Dong communities and other indigenous areas in the uplands of China. In addition to use as coloring agents, Dong communities have historically utilized dye plants for their value for enhancing the nutritive, medicinal and preservative properties of foods. However, the persistence of plant-derived dyes and associated cultural practices and traditional knowledge is threatened with rapid socio-economic change in China. Research is needed to document the ethnobotany of dye plants in indigenous communities towards their conservation and potential commercialization as a sustainable means of supporting local development initiatives. METHODS: Semi-structured surveys on plants used for coloring agents and associated traditional knowledge were conducted in fifteen Dong villages of Tongdao County in Hunan Province of South Central China during 2011-2012. Transect walks were carried out with key informants identified from semi-structured surveys to collect samples and voucher specimens for each documented plant species for taxonomic identification. RESULTS: Dong households at the study sites utilize the flowers, bark, stems, tubers and roots of 13 plant species from 9 families as dyes to color their customary clothing and food. Out of the documented plants, a total of 7 are used for coloring food, 3 for coloring clothing and 3 for both food and clothing. Documented plants consist of 3 species that yield black pigments, 3 for brownish red/russet pigments, 3 for red pigments, 2 for dark blue pigments and 2 for yellow pigments. In addition to dyes, the plants have multiple uses including medicinal, ornamental, sacrificial, edible, and for timber. CONCLUSIONS: The use of dyes derived from plants persists at the study sites for their important role in expressing Dong cultural identity through customary clothing and food. Further research is needed to evaluate the safety of dye plants, their efficacy in enhancing food items and their commercial potential. Conservation policies and management plans are called for to preserve these ethnobotanical resources in a sustainable manner that supports local livelihoods while maintaining cultural practices.

Ethnobotanical survey of cooling herbal drinks from southern China.

BACKGROUND: Liáng chá ("cooling tea", "herbal tea" or "cool tisane" in Chinese) are herbal drinks widely produced in southern China and consumed by billions of people worldwide to prevent and treat internal heat as well as a range of associated health conditions. Globalization and renewed interest in botanical remedies has attracted growing attention in cooling herbal drinks by industry, scientists and consumers. However, there is a knowledge gap on the plant species used and commercialized for cooling herbal drinks in southern China and their associated ethnobotanical use, habitat and conservation status. This is the first study to document plant species used and commercialized as liáng chá in southern China's Lingnan region and associated ethnomedical function, preparation methods, habitat and conservation status. METHODS: Three hundred market surveys were conducted between 2010-2012 in the largest herbal drink producing region of China to record plants used for liáng chá and to document knowledge on their medicinal function, habitat and conservation status. Product samples and voucher specimens were collected for taxonomic identification. RESULTS: All informants harvest and cultivate plants for preparing herbal drinks for their medicinal, cultural and economic values. A total of 222 ethnotaxa corresponded to 238 botanical taxa (species, varieties or subspecies) belonging to 86 families and 209 genera were recorded as liáng chá to treat health conditions in the study area. Recorded remedies consisted of one or several plant species to treat conditions classified into 27 major health conditions with clearing internal heat being the most common medicinal function. The habitat types of plants documented for use as liáng chá include 112 wild harvested species, 51 species that are either wild harvested or cultivated, 57 cultivated species, and 2 naturalized species. According to China's Red List and CITES on conservation status, one of these species is endangered, one species is critically endangered, eight species are vulnerable, one is listed in CITES II, three are listed in Regional Red Data Book and the remaining 224 species are in the least concerned conservation category. CONCLUSIONS: The liáng chá industry of southern China reflects the plant species richness and cultural diversity of the region. Future research on safety and efficacy of herbal drinks as well as ecological and cultural conservation efforts are needed for the sustainable growth of China's botanical industry.