The multifaceted mechanisms of Dihydrotanshinone I in the treatment of tumors.

The morbidity and mortality of malignant tumors are progressively rising on an annual basis. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) holds promise as a possible therapeutic agent for the avoidance or therapy of malignant tumors. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen), a traditional Asian functional food, has therapeutic characteristics in application for the treatment of malignant tumors. Dihydrotanshinone I (DHTS) is the principal lipophilic phenanthraquinone compound found in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, whose anti-tumor effect has attracted widespread attention. The anti-tumor effects include inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, triggering apoptosis of tumor cells, inducing ferroptosis in tumor cells, inhibiting tumor cell invasion and metastasis, and improving drug resistance of tumor cells. In this paper, we summarized and analyzed the mechanisms and targets of anti-tumor effect of DHTS, providing new ideas and establishing a solid theoretical basis for the future advancement and clinical treatment of DHTS.

Baccharoides anthelmintica (L.) Moench: A Review on Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Toxicological Profile.

Baccharoides anthelmintica (L.) Moench is a popular medicinal plant with a long history of use in several traditional remedies to cure a variety of diseases including; its effect on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, metabolism, kidneys, gynecology, skin diseases, and general health. The present review aims to provide the latest, organized information on toxicological, pharmacological, phytochemical, and ethnomedicinal applications of Baccharoides anthelmintica. For this; several well-known searchable websites (search engines) like; Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus-Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, Springer, and DOAJ, were used to empirically investigate the knowledge of this useful medicinal plant. Based on previous studies, the pharmacological action of B. anthelmintica is due to various secondary metabolites including alkaloids, terpenoids, lignans, steroids, and other phytoconstituents. Hence, the present study recorded 225 phytochemicals obtained from different parts of the plant, where the steroids and derivatives (48), terpenes and sesquiterpenes (46), flavonoids and derivatives (41), fatty acids and derivatives (40), phenolic acids (12), triterpenes (11), chalcones (06), diterpenes (01) and miscellaneous (20) were reported. The present review also covered the pharmacological importance, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic action, liver disease, anticancer potential, anti-HIV, antiosteoporotic action, antitoxic action, skin disorder, wound healing and immunomodulatory activity, systemic infection, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases etc. The review concluded that B. anthelmintica has several pharmacological activities, which were due to the presence of secondary metabolites present in it, and thus indicates the importance of medicinal value of this plant. Hence, B. anthelmintica may be a good source for developing a lead molecule in the process of new drug discovery and development. More study is required to determine the pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, long-term toxicology testing, safe dosage, and possible interactions with other herbs/drugs.

Traditional Tibetan medicine: therapeutic potential in lung diseases.

Lung diseases have become a major threat to human health worldwide. Despite advances in treatment and intervention in recent years, effective drugs are still lacking for many lung diseases. As a traditional natural medicine, Tibetan medicine has had a long history of medicinal use in ethnic minority areas, and from ancient times to the present, it has a good effect on the treatment of lung diseases and has attracted more and more attention. In this review, a total of 586 Tibetan medicines were compiled through literature research of 25 classical works on Tibetan medicine, drug standards, and some Chinese and English databases. Among them, 33 Tibetan medicines have been studied to show their effectiveness in treating lung diseases. To investigate the uses of these Tibetan medicines in greater depth, we have reviewed the ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the four commonly used Tibetan medicines for lung diseases (rhodiola, gentian, sea buckthorn, liexiang dujuan) and the five most frequently used Tibetan medicines (safflower, licorice, sandalwood, costus, myrobalan). It is expected to provide some reference for the development of new drugs of lung diseases in the future.

Functionality and Health-Promoting Properties of Polysaccharide and Plant-Derived Substances from Mesona chinensis.

Mesona chinensis, in Thai called Chao Kuay and in Chinese Hsian-tsao, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This herbal plant grows widely in Southern China, Taiwan (China), Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The Mesona plant is used to make functional products such as drinks and soft textured sweet treats, and also traditional medicine, to treat heat stroke, high blood pressure, heart attack, high blood sugar, hepatic diseases, colon diseases, inflammatory conditions, and to alleviate myalgia. The proximate composition of M. chinensis is a mixture of protein, fat, fiber, ash, and minerals. The main biological compounds in M. chinensis extracts are polysaccharides, terpenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, with wide-ranging pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antilipidemic, carcinoma-inhibitory, renal-protective, antihypertensive, DNA damage-protective, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review investigated the proximate composition, polysaccharide type, and pharmacological properties of M. chinensis extracts. Phytochemical properties enhance the actions of the gut microbiota and improve health benefits. This review assessed the functional and medicinal activities of M. chinensis extracts. Future studies should further elucidate the in vitro/in vivo mechanisms of this plant extract and its impact on gut health.

Coal-Derived Humic Substances: Insight into Chemical Structure Parameters and Biomedical Properties.

An investigation was carried out on humic substances (HSs) isolated from the coal of the Kansk-Achinsk basin (Krasnoyarsk Territory, Russia). The coal HSs demonstrate the main parameters of molecular structure inherent to this class of natural compounds. An assessment was performed for the chemical, microbiological, and pharmacological safety parameters, as well as the biological efficacy. The HS sample meets the safety requirements in microbiological purity, toxic metals content (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic), and radionuclides. The presence of 11 essential elements was determined. The absence of general, systemic toxicity, cytotoxicity, and allergenic properties was demonstrated. The coal HS sample was classified as a Class V hazard (low danger substances). High antioxidant and antiradical activities and immunotropic and cytoprotective properties were identified. The ability of the HS to inhibit hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion radicals was revealed. Pronounced actoprotective and nootropic activities were also demonstrated in vivo. Intragastric administration of the HS sample resulted in the improvement of physical parameters in mice as assessed by the "swim exhaustion" test. Furthermore, intragastric administration in mice with cholinergic dysfunction led to a higher ability of animals with scopolamine-induced amnesia to form conditioned reflexes. These findings suggest that the studied HS sample is a safe and effective natural substance, making it suitable for use as a dietary bioactive supplement.

Advances in the chemical constituents, pharmacological activity, and clinical application of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma: A review and predictive analysis of quality markers (Q-markers).

Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma (SGR) is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine for its distinctive therapeutic properties and abundant supply. Its phytochemical profile is diverse, encompassing flavonoids, steroids, saccharides, phenolic glycosides, volatile constituents, organic acids, phenylpropanoids, stilbenoids, among others. Recent pharmacological investigations reveal that SGR possesses a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects with multifaceted clinical applications. This review collates the current knowledge on SGR's chemical composition, pharmacological activities, and its clinical utility. Utilizing network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches, this study provides a preliminary identification of potential quality markers (Q-Markers) within SGR. The findings suggest that compounds such as astilbin, isoengelitin, neoisoastilbin, neoastilbin, astragaloside, diosgenin, resveratrol, stigmasterol, ß-sitosterol, and quercetin in SGR are promising candidates for Q-Markers. While flavonoids are the most extensively studied, there is a pressing need to further explore the active monomeric compounds within SGR. The introduction of Q-Markers is instrumental in developing standardized quality metrics. Specifically, astilbin has been noted for its antitumor, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-hyperuricemic, and hepatoprotective potential, warranting further research for therapeutic applications.

Isorhamnetin: what is the in vitro evidence for its antitumor potential and beyond?

Isorhamnetin (ISO) is a phenolic compound belonging to flavonoid family, showcasing important in vitro pharmacological activities such as antitumor, anti-inflammation, and organ protection. ISO is predominantly extracted from Hippophae rhamnoides L. This plant is well-known in China and abroad because of its "medicinal and food homologous" characteristics. As a noteworthy natural drug candidate, ISO has received considerable attention in recent years owing to its low cost, wide availability, high efficacy, low toxicity, and minimal side effects. To comprehensively elucidate the multiple biological functions of ISO, particularly its antitumor activities and other pharmacological potentials, a literature search was conducted using electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. This review primarily focuses on ISO's ethnopharmacology. By synthesizing the advancements made in existing research, it is found that the general effects of ISO involve a series of in vitro potentials, such as antitumor, protection of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and more. This review illustrates ISO's antitumor and other pharmacological potentials, providing a theoretical basis for further research and new drug development of ISO.

A systematic review on the effects of non-pharmacological interventions for fatigue among people with upper and/or lower limb osteoarthritis.

Objectives: To identify non-pharmacological fatigue interventions and determine the effectiveness of these non-pharmacological interventions in reducing fatigue immediately and over time in OA. Methods: A review protocol (CRD42020163730) was developed and registered with the PROSPERO database. Included studies comprised peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effects of conservative interventions on fatigue in people with upper and lower limb OA. Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias (ROB-2) was used to assess the quality of evidence of studies. Narrative synthesis was used to summarize the effectiveness of identified fatigue interventions. Results: Out of 2644 citations identified from databases, 32 reports were included after screening for titles, abstracts and full texts. Of these reports, 30 parallel RCTs, one cluster and one cross-over RCT were included. 13 RCTs were of low ROB, 6 had some concerns and 13 had high ROB. The narrative synthesis identified interventions for fatigue including exercise, activity pacing, cognitive behavioural therapy, telerehabilitation and complementary alternative therapies. Exercise interventions showed the most significant beneficial effects on fatigue. Conclusions: Diverse interventions for fatigue management among individuals with upper and lower limb OA were identified. Of these, exercise interventions appear to be the most promising with the majority of these interventions favouring fatigue improvement. While cognitive behavioural therapy has limited evidence of beneficial effects, there is insufficient evidence regarding the effectiveness of other identified interventions, including complementary and alternative therapies, and telerehabilitation.

The genus Polygonum: An updated comprehensive review of its ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological activities, toxicology, and phytopharmaceutical formulation.

Polygonum is a plant genus that includes annual and perennial species and is found at various temperatures, from northern temperate regions to tropical and subtropical areas. The genus Polygonum has been used for centuries for various disorders, including hypertension, intestinal and stomach pain, dysuria, jaundice, toothaches, skin allergies, hemorrhoids, cardiac disorders, kidney stones, hemostasis, hyperglycemia, and others. Various databases, including Google Scholar, Scifinder, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, ResearchGate, and Web of Science, were utilized to collect pertinent scientific literature data. According to bibliographic studies, the Polygonum genus possesses various compounds from different families, including phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, quinic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, and many other compounds), flavonoids (quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, quercitrin, kaempferol, myricetin, etc.), tannins, stilbenes (polydatin and resveratrol), terpenes (α-pinene, ß-caryophyllene and ß-caryophyllene oxide, bisabolene, ß-farnesene, etc.), fatty acids (decanoic acid, lauric acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, dodecanoic acid), polysaccharides, and others. Various chemical and biological activities (in vitro and in vivo), such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiparasitic, hepatoprotective, neuropharmacological, gastroprotective, diuretic, antipyretic, and others, have been described in several biological studies involving this species. An updated summary of Polygonum species and their ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, toxicological, pharmacological, and phytopharmaceutical formulations is necessary. Considering the numerous potentialities of the Polygonum species and their wide-ranging use, it is extremely essential to provide knowledge by compiling the accessible literature to identify the topics of intense investigation and the main gaps to better design future studies. The objective of this review is to give readers a better understanding, greater comprehension, and in-depth knowledge of the genus Polygonum's traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicological features, and galenic formulation. Several species of this genus have been detailed in this review, including those that were frequently used in traditional medicine (P. minus, P. aviculare, P. hydropiper, P. cuspidatum, and P. multiflorum) and many of the genus' therapeutic species, like P. equisetiforme, which do not get enough attention.

Plants from Arid and Semi-Arid Zones of Mexico Used to Treat Respiratory Diseases: A Review.

Medicinal plants have been a traditional remedy for numerous ailments for centuries. However, their usage is limited due to a lack of evidence-based studies elucidating their mechanisms of action. In some countries, they are still considered the first treatment due to their low cost, accessibility, and minor adverse effects. Mexico is in second place, after China, in inventoried plants for medicinal use. It has around 4000 species of medicinal plants; however, pharmacological studies have only been carried out in 5% of its entirety. The species of the Mexican arid zones, particularly in semi-desert areas, exhibit outstanding characteristics, as their adverse growing conditions (e.g., low rainfall and high temperatures) prompt these plants to produce interesting metabolites with diverse biological activities. This review explores medicinal plants belonging to the arid and semi-arid zones of Mexico, focusing on those that have stood out for their bioactive potential, such as Jatropha dioica, Turnera diffusa, Larrea tridentata, Opuntia ficus-indica, Flourensia cernua, Fouquieria splendes, and Prosopis glandulosa. Their extraction conditions, bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, and biological efficacy are presented, with emphasis on their role in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Additionally, current research, novel applications, and perspectives concerning medicinal plants from these zones are also discussed.

Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai.: A review of its botany, traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, toxicology and pharmacokinetics.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai., a commonly used herb, is known as "Guan Zhong" in China, "Oshida" in Japan and "Gwanjung" in Korea. It has long been used for parasitic infestation, hemorrhages and epidemic influenza. AIM OF THE REVIEW: The present paper aims to provide an up-to-date review at the advancements of the investigations on the traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, toxicology and pharmacokinetics of D. crassirhizoma. Besides, possible trends, therapeutic potentials, and perspectives for future research of this plant are also briefly discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant information on traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, toxicology and pharmacokinetics of D. crassirhizoma was collected through published materials and electronic databases, including the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Flora of China, Web of Science, PubMed, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. 109 papers included in the article and we determined that no major information was missing after many checks. All authors participated in the review process for this article and all research paper are from authoritative published materials and electronic databases. RESULTS: 130 chemical components, among which phloroglucinols are the predominant groups, have been isolated and identified from D. crassirhizoma. D. crassirhizoma with its bioactive compounds is possessed of extensive biological activities, including anti-parasite, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, bone protective, immunomodulatory, anti-platelet and anti-hyperuricemia activity. Besides, D. crassirhizoma has special toxicology and pharmacokinetics characterization. CONCLUSIONS: D. crassirhizoma is a traditional Chinese medicine having a long history of application. This review mainly summarized the different chemical components extract from D. crassirhizoma and various reported pharmacological effects. Besides, the toxicology and pharmacokinetics of D. crassirhizoma also be analysed in this review. However, the chemical components of D. crassirhizoma are understudied and require further research to expand its medicinal potential, and it is urgent to design a new extraction scheme, so that the active ingredients can be obtained at a lower cost.

5-EPIFAT trial protocol: a multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for fatigue using methylphenidate, bupropion, ginseng, and amantadine in advanced cancer patients on active treatment.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is still undertreated in most patients, as evidence for pharmacological treatments is limited and conflicting. Also, the efficacy of the pharmacological agents relative to each other is still unclear. Therefore, medications that may potentially contribute to improving CRF will be investigated in this head-to-head trial. Our main objective is to compare the efficacy of methylphenidate vs. bupropion vs. ginseng vs. amantadine vs. placebo in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: The 5-EPIFAT study is a 5-arm, randomized, multi-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial that will use a parallel-group design with an equal allocation ratio comparing the efficacy and safety of four medications (Methylphenidate vs. Bupropion vs. Ginseng vs. Amantadine) versus placebo for management of CRF. We will recruit 255 adult patients with advanced cancer who experience fatigue intensity ≥ 4 based on a 0-10 scale. The study period includes a 4-week intervention and a 4-week follow-up with repeated measurements over time. The primary outcome is the cancer-related fatigue level over time, which will be measured by the functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-fatigue (FACIT-F) scale. To evaluate safety, the secondary outcome is the symptomatic adverse events, which will be assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events in cancer clinical trials (PRO-CTCAE). Also, a subgroup analysis based on a decision tree-based machine learning algorithm will be employed for the clinical prediction of different agents in homogeneous subgroups. DISCUSSION: The findings of the 5-EPIFAT trial could be helpful to guide clinical decision-making, personalization treatment approach, design of future trials, as well as the development of CRF management guidelines. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT.ir IRCT20150302021307N6. Registered on 13 May 2023.

[Research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of small molecule compounds in scorpions].

Scorpions, a group of oldest animals with wide distribution in the world, have a long history of medicinal use. Scorpio, the dried body of Buthus martensii, is a rare animal medicine mainly used for the treatment of liver diseases, spasm, and convulsions in children in China. The venom has been considered as the active substance of scorpions. However, little is known about the small molecules in the venom of scorpions. According to the articles published in recent years, scorpions contain amino acids, fatty acids, steroids, and alkaloids, which endow scorpions with antimicrobial, anticoagulant, metabolism-regulating, and antitumor activities. This paper summarizes the small molecule chemical components and pharmacological activities of scorpions, with a view to providing valuable information for the discovery of new active molecules and the clinical use of scorpions.

[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.

[Research progress on active ingredients of Coicis Semen].

As a common medicinal and edible resource in China, Coicis Semen has a long history of cultivation and medicinal use. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) clinically believes that Coicis Semen has the effect of strengthening the spleen and tonifying the lungs, clearing heat and dampness, removing pus and paralysis, and stopping diarrhea. Therefore, it is used to treat edema, foot odor, spleen deficiency, diarrhea, and other symptoms. The above effects are closely related to the active ingredients of Coicis Semen, such as esters, fatty acids, polysaccharides, proteins, as well as phenolic acids, sterols, flavonoids, lactams, triterpenes, alkaloids, and adenosine. Modern research has found that Coicis Semen also has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hypotensive effects and other pharmacological activities, and it can improve immunity and regulate lipid metabolism. Coicis Semen is widely distributed in China, mainly produced in Guizhou, Yunnan, Fujian, Sichuan, and other places, and the quality of Coicis Semen from different origins varies. From ancient times to the present, Coicis Semen processing methods have experienced the process from simple to complex, and the types of auxiliary materials are more extensive, such as soil, bran, and river sand. These processing methods have been inherited from generation to generation. Nowadays, the commonly used methods are bran-fried, stir-fried, sand-fried, etc. In this paper, by reviewing the relevant literature in China and abroad in recent years, the main active ingredients and related pharmacological effects of Coicis Semen are sorted out, and the effects of different origins and processing methods on the chemical composition of Coicis Semen are summarized, with a view to providing references for the comprehensive development and utilization of Coicis Semen and the further study of its mechanism of action.

[Advances on cyclopeptides of plants].

Cyclopeptides isolated from a variety of plants are a class of cyclic nitrogen-containing compounds, and they are primarily formed by peptide bonds between amino acids, generally containing 2 to 37 L-configuration encoded or non-encoded amino acid residues. Cyclopeptides have significant values in scientific research as natural small-molecule metabolites produced by plants. The available studies have revealed that such natural products are ubiquitous in plants, which mainly include cyclic dipeptides, cyclic tetrapeptides, cyclic pentapeptides, cyclic hexapeptides, cyclic heptapeptides, cyclic octapeptides, cyclic nonapeptides, and cyclic decapeptides. Among them, cyclic dipeptides, cyclic hexapeptides, and cyclic octapeptides are the major active compounds. It has been reported that plant cyclopeptides have novel and unique chemical structures. They possess diverse pharmacological activities, such as antineoplastic, antimicrobial, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities. This paper summarizes the research achievements of plant cyclopeptides since 2006, aiming to provide theoretical reference for the research and application of plant cyclopeptides in medicine, health, and agriculture fields.

Aloe-emodin: Progress in Pharmacological Activity, Safety, and Pharmaceutical Formulation Applications.

Aloe-emodin (AE) is an anthraquinone derivative and a biologically active component sourced from various plants, including Rheum palmatum L. and Aloe vera. Known chemically as 1,8-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-anthraquinone, AE has a rich history in traditional medicine and is esteemed for its accessibility, safety, affordability, and effectiveness. AE boasts multiple biochemical and pharmacological properties, such as strong antibacterial, antioxidant, and antitumor effects. Despite its array of benefits, AE's identity as an anthraquinone derivative raises concerns about its potential for liver and kidney toxicity. Nevertheless, AE is considered a promising drug candidate due to its significant bioactivities and cost efficiency. Recent research has highlighted that nanoformulated AE may enhance drug delivery, biocompatibility, and pharmacological benefits, offering a novel approach to drug design. This review delves into AE's pharmacological impacts, mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and safety profile, incorporating insights from studies on its nanoformulations. The goal is to outline the burgeoning research in this area and to support the ongoing development and utilization of AE-based therapies.

Production and pharmaceutical research of minor saponins in Panax notoginseng (Sanqi): Current status and future prospects.

Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen is a traditional medicinal herb known as Sanqi or Tianqi in Asia and is commonly used worldwide. It is one of the main raw ingredients of Yunnan Baiyao, Fu fang dan shen di wan, and San qi shang yao pian. It is also a source of cardiotonic pill used to treat cardiovascular diseases in China, Korea, and Russia. Approximately 270 Panax notoginseng saponins have been isolated and identified as the major active components. Although the absorption and bioavailability of saponins are predominantly dependent on the gastrointestinal biotransformation capacity of an individual, minor saponins are better absorbed into the bloodstream and act as active substances than major saponins. Notably, minor saponins are absent or are present in minimal quantities under natural conditions. In this review, we focus on the strategies for the enrichment and production of minor saponins in P. notoginseng using physical, chemical, enzyme catalytic, and microbial methods. Moreover, pharmacological studies on minor saponins derived from P. notoginseng over the last decade are discussed. This review serves as a meaningful resource and guide, offering scholarly references for delving deeper into the exploration of the minor saponins in P. notoginseng.

[Single extract of Forsythia Suspense versus the prepared drug in pieces: comparison of their anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antibacterial effects in zebrafish].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anti-inflammatory, antitumor and anti-bacterial effects of the single extract (in granules) and the prepared drug in pieces of Forsythia Suspense (Lianqiao, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine). METHODS: In zebrafish embryo models of CuSO4 exposure, tail transection and LPS microinjection-induced inflammation, the anti-inflammatory effects of 10 µg/mL DEX, single extract of Forsythia Suspense, and the water extract of the prepared drug (400, 600, and 800 µg/mL) were evaluated by observing neutrophil counts, RT- qPCR, HE staining and survival analysis. Zebrafish embryo models bearing different human tumor cell xenografts were used to assess the anti-tumor effect of the drugs in different dosage forms by fluorescence staining and HE staining. The microbroth dilution method was used to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of the drugs. RESULTS: In the zebrafish embryo models of inflammation, both of the two dosage forms of Forsythia Suspense significantly inhibited neutrophil aggregation, reduced the mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, P38, Jnk, Erk and P65, and increased the survival rate of zebrafish. They both showed obvious inhibitory effects against xenografts of different human cancer cells including colon cancer cells (HCT116), pancreas adenocarcinoma cells (PANC-1), lung cancer cells (A549), liver cancer cells (Hep3B) and cervical carcinoma cells (Hela) in zebrafish embryos, and exhibited strong anti-bacterial effects at the concentration of 15.63 mg/mL. CONCLUSION: The two dosage forms of Forsythia Suspense have similar anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antibacterial effects, but their effects for inhibiting IL-6, P65, and Jnk mRNA expressions and HCT116 cell proliferation differ significantly at low doses in zebrafish.