Fuganlin oral liquid (FOL) has been clinically employed for the treatment of pediatric qi deficiency colds, manifesting symptoms such as fever, cough, asthma, and sore throat. However, the chemical composition and bioactive components of FOL have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, a comprehensive qualitative analysis of FOL was conducted utilizing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry in conjunction with network pharmacology. A total of 124 chemical components were tentatively characterized, comprising flavonoids, phenolic acids, saponins, coumarins, and others. Among these, 43 compounds were unequivocally identified by comparison with authentic reference standards. Furthermore, network pharmacology analysis revealed that the ingredients of FOL exhibited anti-inflammatory properties and demonstrated potential efficacy in relieving cough and asthma associated with respiratory tract infections. Collectively, this study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the chemical composition in FOL and explores the potential pharmacological mechanisms of its bioactive constituents, thereby providing scientific support for quality control standards and clinical applications.

A systematic chemical characterization of Bidens pilosa var. radiata was performed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS). A quantitative method based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector(UPLC-PDA) was established for phenolic acids and flavonoids, and the impacts of growth stage, geographical environment, and medicinal parts on chemical constituents of B. pilosa var. radiata were comprehensively investigated. This study revealed for the first time its multi-dimensional dynamic variation patterns across harvest time, geographical origin, and medicinal parts. A total of 48 chemical constituents were identified, predominantly flavonoids and phenolic acids. The established UPLC-PDA method achieved accurate quantification of 10 major compounds, including neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, and hyperoside. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the active ingredients of B. pilosa var. radiata showed significant time-dependent accumulation, with August identified as the optimal harvesting period for samples from Guangxi. The quality of B. pilosa var. radiata varied markedly across regions, with Guangxi specimens exhibiting balanced and higher constituent levels and thus being qualified as premium medicinal references. Climatic conditions significantly influenced component accumulation, with high temperature, humidity, and moderate sunlight in Guangxi favoring flavonoid and phenolic acid biosynthesis. Distinct tissue-specific distribution patterns of phenolic acids and flavonoids were observed, with content levels following the order of leaves > flowers > stems. Furthermore, principal component analysis(PCA) was employed for unsupervised pattern recognition of 14 batches of Bidens medicinal materials to characterize their distribution patterns, while supervised orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) was applied to differentiate samples from different botanical origins. Isochlorogenic acid A, chlorogenic acid, and isochlorogenic acid B were identified as potential differential components. By establishing a chemometric quality evaluation system based on multi-component analysis, this study systematically elucidated the dynamic variation patterns of chemical constituents in B. pilosa var. radiata, providing a scientific foundation for rational quality standards development, medicinal part optimization, origin suitability assessment, and germplasm resource utilization.

Mycotoxin contamination in medicinal and edible plants threatens food safety and public health, and developing effective adsorbents for their enrichment and detection is essential. A novel magnetic cyclodextrin-functionalised microporous organic network (MON), TEPA-Fe3O4@α-CD-MON, was synthesized via an in situ growth strategy. The adsorbent efficiently enriched trace levels of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), zearalenone (ZEN) and ochratoxin A (OTA), simultaneously. Experimental results combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the adsorbent exhibited excellent extraction performance and high adsorption capacity (e.g., AFB2: 79.9 mg/g—the highest among reported adsorbents) through π–π interactions, hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces. At optimized conditions, the established TEPA-Fe3O4@α-CD-MON-MSPE-HPLC-DAD method was successfully applied to 20 medicinal and edible plants, demonstrating a wide linearity range (25–5000 μg/L), good precision (RSD < 8.76%) and high stability. The method proves simple, efficient, and highly promising for monitoring trace mycotoxins in the complex matrices.

Endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances collectively contribute to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) associated with blood stasis patterns. Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZYD) is widely used clinically for the management of CVDs. Based on serum-exposed prototype profiling in rats, two pharmacology-driven core component sets of XFZYD were defined as the core set for the promotion of blood circulation and the elimination of blood stasis (CPBEB; HSYA, GRo, FA, β-ECD, AMY, ALB, PF) and the core set for the regulation of qi and the relief of pain (CRQRP; LIQ, NR, NAR, ROF, HSD, NHP, LTG, NRG, ISL, FNT, NOB, PD, SSa). CPBEB primarily targets vascular pathology by regulating endothelial dysfunction with dyslipidemia-driven arterial lipid deposition. Mechanistically, CPBEB is associated with improved endothelial function, reduced plaque instability, attenuated chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, normalized lipid and bile acid metabolism, and decreased thrombosis. CRQRP primarily modulates vascular tone and systemic energy metabolism. These effects are linked to enhanced AMPK/SIRT1-driven antioxidant defenses and mitochondrial homeostasis, increased NO/cGMP signaling, coordinated crosstalk among the TLR4/NF-κB, JAK/STAT, NLRP3, and PPAR pathways, and remodeling of the gut microbiota-immune network. In summary, this review integrates modern analytical approaches with network pharmacology and the literature evidence to clarify the material basis underlying XFZYD's therapeutic effects in CVDs, thereby supporting the modernization and internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine.

Medicinal herbs contain natural products (NPs) possessing rich scaffolds valuable for drug discovery, particularly in oncology. While most NP-derived cancer therapeutics directly kill tumor cells, emerging opportunities lie in modulating antitumor immunity. However, target-annotated NPs for cancer immunotherapy remain scarce. Herein we established a multiplexed platform combining virtual screening, affinity selection-mass spectrometry, and metabolomics profiling to identify bioactive NPs targeting the adenosine 2A receptor (A2AR), a master regulator of tumor immunosuppression. Screening the crude extract of a medicinal herb and isolating the active constituent resulted in the discovery of a novel dual antagonist for A2AR/A2BR with preferential activity on A2AR. This compound, ER-15, adopts a unique binding mode as revealed by structural modeling, MD simulations, mutagenesis, and SAR analysis. Functionally, ER-15 reversed adenosine-mediated immunosuppression and augmented the immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in both the animal model and patient-derived tumor organoids, supporting its therapeutic potential in anti-PD-1-resistant tumors. Therefore, our strategy is expected to overcome traditional NP discovery bottlenecks, enabling efficient identification of target-annotated novel leads for drug development.

Xuanfei Baidu granules (XBG) are one of the well-known prescriptions developed against COVID-19. However, the effective quality markers (Q-markers) of XBG remain unclear, and there is an urgent need for global quality control of XBG to ensure its safety and efficacy in clinics. This study aims to contribute to the selection of Q-markers dedicated to the safety and clinical application of XBG. To begin with, the small molecular constituents of XBG were characterized and identified by an integrative ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF)-mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of MS/MS molecular networking (MN), comparison with reference standards, and in-house library search. And 143 constituents were identified from XBG, including 64 flavonoids, 24 triterpenoids, 33 phenylpropanoids, six alkaloids, three iridoids, one sesquiterpenoid, and 12 other phenolic acids. At the same time, the polysaccharide component of XBG was profiled by high-performance gel-permeation chromatography (HPGPC)-evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD), PMP-HPLC-DAD, nuclear magnetic resonance (1D NMR), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) experiments, and it was found that XBG contained two or more homogeneous polysaccharides, which were mainly composed of the monosaccharides, namely mannose, xylose, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, and arabinose. Subsequently, fractions and components from XBG were screened through DPPH and OH radical scavenging and reducing power assays, and a DPPH -UHPLC-DAD analysis for the constituents with antioxidant propensities, and were further screened by using a Griess method to determine their effects on the production of nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-injured RAW264.7 macrophages, and a COX2-UHPLC-DAD analysis for those with anti-inflammatory potentials. Finally, hastatoside, verbenalin, polydatin, acteoside, isoacteoside, naringin, and glycyrrhizic acid were ultimately selected as the effective Q-markers for XBG, and their contents (%) were determined as 3.350 f 0.0502%, 2.641 f 0.04992%, 2.459 f 0.07142%, 1.299 f 0.06612%, 0.958 f 0.03432%, 26.598 f 0.609%, and 1.819 f 0.0542%, respectively. Our study reveals the profiles of both small molecular and polysaccharide components in XBG, and a content determination method for the selected small molecular Q-markers with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials.

Supramolecular deep eutectic solvents (SUPRADES) have are promising green extraction media for the sustainable extraction of bioactive compounds from plant materials. In this study, a combined strategy of SUPRADES with ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was developed for the efficient extraction and enrichment of isoflavones from the root of Pueraria lobata. The extraction process was systematically optimized using single-factor experiments followed by Box-Behnken design (BBD) response surface methodology. The optimal SUPRADES system consisted of L‑proline and urea at a 1:2 molar ratio, supplemented with 5 wt% β‑cyclodextrin and 30 wt% water. Under these conditions, the yield of puerarin reached 70.4 ± 0.6 mg/g, which is 1.33‑ to 5.33‑fold higher than those obtained with conventional methods. The self‑assembled structure of the SUPRADES and its molecular‑level interaction mechanism with isoflavones were further elucidated by FT‑IR spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. These results confirmed that the extraction process is synergistically driven by hydrogen bonding and β‑cyclodextrin‑mediated host-guest complexation. GAPI evaluation demonstrated the excellent environmental friendliness and sustainability of the established method. Collectively, this study provides a novel and efficient extraction strategy for isoflavones from Pueraria lobata root and offers a theoretical basis for green the extraction of natural products in traditional Chinese medicine.

Background:Cistanche deserticola (CD), a functional plant with homology of medicine and food, is used for reinforcing kidney to strengthen yang and loosening bowel to relieve constipation. It is ordinarily processed with rice wine-steamed, which is known as wine-steamed CD (W-CD) to enhance effects in clinical practice. Nevertheless, timely processing of CD is an effective means to ensure quality; the processing techniques also played a crucial role in influencing the quality of CD and its products, which require further investigation. This study aimed to explore suitable drying methods for the efficient production of CDs and W-CDs. Methods:Herein, the fresh CD is collected and both CD and W-CD are prepared, which all drying mainly included forced-air drying (FAD, at 40, 60, and 80 °C), far-infrared air drying (FID, at 40, 60, and 80 °C), vacuum microwave drying (VMD, at 50, 55, and 60 °C), vacuum freeze drying (VDF), sun-drying (SD) respectively. Furthermore, drying kinetics were employed to analyze drying characteristics, establishing Weibull function models for different processing methods of CD and W-CD. Combining intelligent sensory technologies (E-nose, E-tongue, color difference meter) with texture analyzers, and employing scanning electron microscopy, the trait characteristics and microstructural features were investigated to examine the effects of different drying methods on CD and W-CD. The components content of Echinacoside, Cistanoside A, Tubuloside A, Verbascoside, Isoverbascoside, 2'-Acetylverbascoside, and total polysaccharides are analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV), and the total extracts are also measured. Above those are combined with chemometrics to obtain important factors analysis to differentiate samples of quality. Results:The Weibull model of drying dynamics is established successfully for CD and W-CD drying processing. The microstructure, rehydration rate (RR, %), and porosity (%) of CD are significantly influenced by rice wine-steamed processing, as are the sweetness (ANS) and content of phenylethyl glycoside, which are also increased. The best drying condition for CD is FAD60-80 °C, and W-CD is FID 40 °C. Conclusion:Our study, which is comprehensive in comparing the quality of CD and W-CD across different drying processes based on "color-odor-taste-component content," revealed that improving quality can enhance the production of fresh CD. Besides, intelligent sensory technology can provide a foundation for future quality control of CD and W-CD.

Flavonoids in Scutellaria Radix (SR) exhibit significant pharmacological activities, yet conventional extraction methods often suffer from low efficiency and poor selectivity. Here, a green and effective strategy was developed using deep eutectic solvent (DES)-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for selective flavonoid enrichment. Forty-eight DESs were screened, and levulinic acid/L-proline (2:1) was identified as the optimal system. The selected DES was employed to synthesize Fe3O4@SiO2@DES, which demonstrated high specificity and adsorption performance in magnetic solid-phase extraction. Under optimized conditions, adsorption efficiencies for four representative flavonoids ranged from 0.770 +/- 0.01 to 0.983 +/- 0.002, with desorption recoveries of 0.551 +/- 0.003 to 0.919 +/- 0.019. The method showed excellent linearity (R-2 >= 0.9998) and low limits of detection and quantification (0.01-0.35 mu g mL(-1) and 0.03-0.98 mu g mL(-1), respectively). Moreover, the adsorbent retained high adsorption efficiency after six reuse cycles, demonstrating stability and reusability. This work provides a sustainable and selective approach for flavonoid enrichment from SR and highlights the potential of DES-functionalized magnetic nanomaterials as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional organic solvent-based extraction.

BackgroundThe global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has raised significant public health concerns. Qingyan Dropping Pills (QDP), as a recommended drug, is issued by the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China for the treatment of COVID-19. However, its bioactive compounds and their mechanisms of action remain largely unidentified. In this study, the integration of computational and experimental approaches was performed to identify the bioactive compounds in QDP and elucidate its mechanisms against COVID-19.MethodsUtilizing UPLC-Q/TOF-MS, the chemical compounds of QDP were delineated, followed by network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (Spro), main protease (Mpro), and papain-like protease (PLpro). To validate the inhibitory activity of these compounds, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays were employed. The antivival efficacy was tested in Vero E6 cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 variant. Moreover, anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated via the measurement of inflammatory markers, including nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).ResultsAmong the 48 identified compounds, 33 demonstrated potential antiviral activity against COVID-19. Notably, Hamamelitannin (HAM), corilagin (COR), and rhoifolin (RHO) effectively interacted with Spro, Mpro and PLproin silico. In SPR assays, the equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) for COR and RHO ranged from 4.515 × 10−8 M to 7.718 × 10−6 M, while HAM showed strong binding affinity to Spro (KD = 9.33 × 10−8 M) but weaker affinity for Mpro and PLpro. In FRET assays, COR and RHO inhibited Mpro with IC50 valuse of 0.73 μM and 21.61 μM, respectively. Additionally, COR proved effective against the Omicron BA.5 variant. The compounds COR, HAM, RHO, isoliquiritin (ISO), glycocholic acid (GLYCH), and gallic acid (GAL) displayed significant anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the crucial inflammatory factors, indicating their dual therapeutic potential in managing COVID-19.ConclusionOur study focused on Chinese patent medicine QDP to highlight the anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-inflammatory bioactives, providing evidence and insights into its clinical practice in the treatment of COVID-19.

Mycotoxins, toxic fungal secondary metabolites, exhibit a diverse array of toxicological effects, including hepatotoxicity, carcinogenicity, estrogenicity, immunotoxicity, and neurotoxicity. These toxins cause severe contamination in food, feed, and traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), threatening global food security and imposing substantial economic burdens. Among over 400 distinct mycotoxins identified to date, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), and zearalenone (ZEN) stand out for their pervasive contamination and grave toxicities. Upon absorption, these toxins undergo biotransformation into reactive metabolites that exert multifaceted toxicities via mechanisms such as carcinogenesis, estrogenic effects, oxidative stress, inflammation, and abnormal apoptosis, collectively threatening human and livestock health. The application of natural and engineered enterosorbents suppresses intestinal absorption and subsequent bioactivation of mycotoxins, while dietary small-molecule bioactive compounds neutralize post-absorption toxicity via biotransformation intervention and cytoprotective reinforcement, collectively preventing the onset and progression of related diseases. This paper reviews the biosynthetic routes of three representative mycotoxins (AFB1, OTA, and ZEN), along with their biotransformation and underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Furthermore, nutritional intervention approaches targeting the underlying mechanisms to ameliorate mycotoxin-induced damage are discussed. This review not only provides valuable insights for future research on mycotoxin toxicity, but also establishes a theoretical foundation for utilizing dietary strategies to counteract mycotoxin-induced physical damage.

To investigate the ameliorative effects of Garcinia kola ethanol extract (EGK) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) combined with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to explore its underlying mechanisms. In vivo, a T2DM rat model was established using HGHFD/STZ. In vitro, HepG2 cells were induced with FFA to create a model of lipid accumulation. Lipid accumulation (LA), oxidative stress (OS) levels, and inflammatory markers were measured using kit methods. Additionally, the expression of the SREBP-1c pathway was detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot (WB) to further understand the potential mechanism of EGK's protective effect on diabetic liver injury. In vivo, EGK significantly reduced blood glucose levels (P<0.01), restored body weight (P<0.01), and improved liver LA, OS, and inflammatory levels (P<0.01) in diabetic rats. Histopathological results indicated that EGK effectively ameliorated diabetes-induced liver injury. Immunohistochemistry and WB results revealed that EGK significantly down-regulated the expression of the SREBP-1c pathway (P<0.01). In vitro, EGK markedly improved lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation levels in HepG2 cells (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence and WB results showed that EGK significantly reduced the expression of the SREBP-1c pathway (P<0.01). EGK alleviates T2DM combined with NAFLD by reducing lipid accumulation through the inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and the SREBP-1c signaling pathway.

Dear Editor, The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper, recognizing their groundbreaking contributions to protein design and the prediction of complex protein structures [1]. This accomplishment advances the frontier of “Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Science”. It marks a milestone in studying complex systems, highlighting a shift in scientific exploration from traditional causal inference to a comprehensive approach centered on solving complex system problems.

Essential oil is a key quality marker of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. (NJ), and is one of the main application forms of NJ alone or in a prescription with efficacies such as sedative and antiarrhythmic activities. Herein, GC/EI-MS and UPC2-QTOF-MS were simultaneously applied to characterize the chemical profile of the essential oil of N. jatamansi (EONJ), and a UPC2-PDA method was further established to determine the contents of the major sesquiterpenones in EONJ. As a result, a total of 81 and 35 constituents were tentatively identified by GC/EI-MS and UPC2-QTOF-MS, respectively. Among them, there were three major sesquiterpenones, 1,8,9,10-tetradehydroaristolan-2-one, aristolone, and kanshone H were accurately identified from EONJ. Then, the modifying agent, column temperature, backpressure, flow rate, wavelength, and injection volume were optimized for a UPC2-PDA method, whose linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery were further evaluated to make sure it was accurate and feasible for quantitative determination of the 1,8,9,10-tetradehydroaristolan-2-one, aristolone, and kanshone H in 38 batches of EONJ. Their contents fell into the ranges of 0.0804-0.4876 %, 0.0201-0.0870 %, and 0.0083-0.0444 %, respectively. This study supplies a simple, rapid, and environmental-friendly UPC2-PDA method dedicated to the content determination of sesquiterpenone isomers in EONJ, with a new reference for global quality control of N. jatamansi.

Here, we de novo assembled and analyzed the chloroplast (cp) genome of Duhaldea nervosa (Asteroideae, Asteraceae) that showed a quadripartite structure with a total length of 150,916 base pairs (bps). It consisted of a pair of inverted repeats (IRa and IRb each of 24,927 bp), which separated the small single copy (18,188 bp) and large single copy (82,874 bp) regions. The genome contained 112 unique genes, including 4 ribosomal RNA, 79 protein-coding genes (CDS), and 29 transfer RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis among 79 species revealed a sister relationship between D. nervosa and Duhaldea cappa, which lay within the tribe Inuleae. At the tribal level, our phylogenetic findings indicated a sister relationship of "Astereae with Anthemideae" and "Gnaphalieae with Calenduleae" and rooted by Senecioneae. This study enhanced the understanding of cp genome evolution and phylogeny within the Asteraceae family. (c) 2025 National Science Museum of Korea (NSMK) and Korea National Arboretum (KNA). Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

A specific and sensitive fluorescent sensor was developed using nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) as the signal source and aptamers as the specific recognition elements for detecting aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The Fe3O4@C-GO aptamers (MGO-apt) first reacted with the fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots conjugated with complementary DNA (N-CDs-cDNA) to form the MGO-apt-cDNA-N-CDs sensor complex, which emits a strong fluorescent signal for accurate detection. The MGO-apt-cDNA-N-CDs probe preferentially binds to the target analyte, specifically, the aptamer undergoes a significant conformational change upon binding with AFB1. When the double-stranded structure between the N-CDs-cDNA and the MGO-apt dissociates, it releases a portion of the fluorescent N-CDs-cDNA from the sensor complex, leading to a decrease in fluorescence intensity (FL). The FL of the released N-CDs-cDNA in the supernatant was monitored after magnetic separation to determine the amount of AFB1. Under optimal reaction conditions, the standard curve demonstrated a linear correlation between FL and AFB1 concentration in the range of 1-25 ng/mL, conclusively affirming the high selectivity of the sensor for AFB1. The sensor was used to detect AFB1 in lotus seed, achieving spiked recoveries ranging from 95.19 % to 104.75 %, with all relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 3 %. These results clearly demonstrate that the newly developed aptamer fluorescence sensor is highly effective for detecting AFB1.

Polysaccharide is a major but previously undescribed bioactive ingredient in Xuanfei Baidu granules (XBG), despite its importance as one of the recommended therapeutic drugs targeting COVID-19 infection in Chinese medicinal system. In this study, our continueous chemical investigation on the active components of XBG allowed the successful isolation and purification of two homogeneous and novel water-soluble polysaccharides (P2–2A and P2–2B) from XBG by column chromatography. Structure analysis revealed that P2–2A (Mw = 13.61 kDa) was constituted of a triple helix glucan with a main chain of (1→4)-α-d-Glc(p) and an irregular and rough porous surface; while P2–2B (Mw = 83.67 kDa) contained a triple helix galacturonic acidic glycan with a main chain of (1→4)-α-d-GalA(p) and a smooth sheet surface. In the cell experiments with RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), polysaccharide fraction XBG-5 and the two homogeneous polysaccharides P2–2A and P2–2B did not show any significant cytotoxicities against the cells (P > 0.05) at 5–20 µg/mL. And at the concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 µg/mL, both P2–2A and P2–2B exhibited significant immunomodulatory activity through significantly reducing the LPS-induced releases of NO and the inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, and alleviating the LPS-induced oxidative stress by content decrease of MDA and activity enhancements of CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px. Notably, P2–2A and P2–2B showed stronger protective effects on CAT enzyme activity than XBG-5, and P2–2B at 20 µg/mL exerted a stronger antioxidant effect than P2–2A by reducing the MDA content and enhancing the GSH-Px enzymic activity more significantly. In one word, our results supplemented two immunomodulatory polysaccharides to the active constituents of XBG against cytokine storm and inflammation, thus laying a theoretical foundation for further rational exploitation and utilization of XBG in the clinic.

SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants continue to pose a significant global public health threat. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is a critical target for the development of antiviral agents that can inhibit viral replication and transcription. In this study, we identified chebulagic acid (CHLA), isolated from Terminalia chebula Retz., as a potent non-peptidomimetic and non-covalent Mpro inhibitor. CHLA exhibited intermolecular interactions and provided significant protection to Vero E6 cells against a range of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the wild-type, Delta, Omicron BA.1.1, BA.2.3, BA.4, and BA.5, with EC50 values below 2 μmol/L. Moreover, in vivo studies confirmed the antiviral efficacy of CHLA in K18-hACE2 mice. Notably, CHLA bound to a unique groove at the interface between Mpro domains I and II, which was revealed by the high-resolution crystal structure (1.4 Å) of the Mpro–CHLA complex, shrinking the substrate binding pocket of Mpro and inducing Mpro aggregation. CHLA was proposed to act as an allosteric inhibitor. Pharmacokinetic profiling and safety assessments underscore CHLA's potential as a promising broad-spectrum antiviral candidate. These findings report a novel binding site on Mpro and identify antiviral activity of CHLA, providing a robust framework for lead compounds discovery and elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms of inhibition.

Amomi Fructus, a mature fruit from a ginger family plant, has various species, resulting in inconsistent sourcing and quality. Most studies distinguish species by volatile compounds, yet research shows it also contains flavonoids with notable pharmacological effects. Solely focusing on volatile compounds could lead to considerable resource waste. This study aims to establish flavonoid markers in Amomi Fructus to distinguish its species, assess quality, and promote efficient resource use. Utilizing natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) and response surface methodology (RSM), an optimal extraction system (choline chloride-ethylene glycol) yielded 41.38 mg RE/g total flavonoids. LC-MS analysis of 18 Amomi Fructus batches identified 26 flavonoids, quantified 19, and highlighted three key markers—epicatechin, procyanidin B2, and procyanidin B4—that effectively differentiate Amomum villosum Lour. (AMV) from Amomum villosum Lour. var. xanthioides T.L. Wu et Senjen (AMVX). Finally, flow cytometry confirmed these markers' antioxidant activity, effectively reducing H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in GES-1 cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGIC RELEVANCE:The rapid increase in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs) is a significant threat to human health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers unique therapeutic advantages. Xuefu Zhuyu Formula (XFZYF), a classic TCM prescription, has been widely used in clinical practice to treat CCVDs and other related conditions. AIM OF THE STUDY:The study aimed to comprehensively elucidate the bioactive components and mechanisms of XFZYF and serve as a reference for future research. The current development, structural characteristics, blood- and intestine-migratory components, quality control measures, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological mechanisms, and clinical applications of XFZYF were systematically summarized. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A comprehensive literature search was conducted up to 2024 in PubMed, Web of Science, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database using the keywords: "Xuefu Zhuyu", "cardiovascular disease", "cerebrovascular disease", "chemical constituents", "migratory components", "quality control", and "pharmacological properties". RESULTS:Eight distinct dosage forms of XFZYF have been developed for clinical application. XFZYF consists of 11 medicinal ingredients, and various compounds have been identified or preliminarily characterized. These compounds are broadly classified into phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenoid saponins, monoterpene glycosides, spermidines, and phthalides. Clinically, XFZYF is widely applied in both internal medicine and surgical settings. CONCLUSION:XFZYF may exert protective effects against the onset and progression of CCVDs by modulating amino acid metabolism, non-coding RNAs, inflammatory responses, synaptic plasticity, chemokines, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, platelet aggregation, angiogenesis, and gut microbiota. Additionally, perspectives on current limitations and directions for future research were discussed. 1) Establishment of a comprehensive quality control standard for XFZYF. 2) Enhancement of the clinical safety assessment of XFZYF, especially in combination therapies. 3) Advancement of the systematic study of the interactions and compatibility of migratory components. 4) Promotion of AI-driven strategies in the standardization and modernization of TCM.