The American journal of Chinese medicine
-
Fermentation is a processing method used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, traditional fermentation methods suffer from poor production control. In contrast, probiotic fermented herbal medicine (PFHM) offers advantages such as the use of pure strains, a controllable process, and the ability to produce a variety of active enzymes during fermentation. ⋯ PFHM has the potential to transfer the metabolic transformation of the effective components of TCM by intestinal flora outside the body during production and preparation, which has a broad application prospect. However, due to the complexity of the chemical composition of TCM, the mechanism of PFHM requires further investigation. Finally, we discuss the prospects of industrializing PFHM, which is essential for promoting the innovation and modernization of TCM.
-
Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become a surge burden worldwide owing to its high prevalence and range of associated complications such as coronary artery disease, blindness, stroke, and renal failure. Accordingly, the treatment and management of DM have become a research hotspot. Mulberry leaves (Morus alba L.) have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for a long time, with the first record of its use published in Shennong Bencao Jing (Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica). ⋯ However, the pharmacological mechanisms of MLs in DM have not been fully elucidated. In this review, we summarize the botanical characterization, traditional use, chemical constituents, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology of MLs, and highlight the mechanisms involved in treating DM and its complications. This review can provide a valuable reference for the further development and utilization of MLs in the prevention and treatment of DM.
-
Review
Advances in the Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine Using Artificial Intelligence: A Review.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as one of the crystallizations of Chinese wisdom, emphasizes the balance of Yin and Yang to keep the body healthy. Under the theoretical guidance of a holistic view, the diagnostic process in TCM has characteristics of subjectivity, fuzziness, and complexity. ⋯ However, the combination of TCM and AI is still in its infancy and currently faces many challenges. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive discussion of the existing advances, problems, and prospects of the applications of AI technologies in TCM with the hope of promoting a better understanding of the TCM modernization and intellectualization.
-
Cyclocarya paliurus (Batalin) Iljinskaja (C. paliurus) is a single species of Cyclocarya paliurus in Juglandaceae. It is a unique rare medicinal plant resource in China that is mainly distributed in the south of China. The leaves of C. paliurus, as a new food ingredient, are processed into tea products in daily life. ⋯ Modern pharmacological studies manifested that these ingredients have a wide range of pharmacological activities both in vitro and in vivo, such as reducing blood sugar, lowering blood lipids, and anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and other activities. In addition, current results indicate that the pharmacological mechanisms of triterpenoids were closely related to their chemical structure, molecular signaling pathways, and the expression of related proteins. In order to further study C. paliurus based on the current research situation, this review summarizes the prospect and systematic summary of the triterpenes of C. paliurus from the aspects of structural characteristics, quality control, biological activity, and the structure-activity relationship, which provide a reference for further research and application of the triterpenoids from C. paliurus in the field of functional food and medicine.
-
Targeting the stemness of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a potential therapeutic approach for treating TNBC. Tetrandrine, a natural plant alkaloid, has several anticancer effects. Here, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tetrandrine in cancer stemness and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in TNBC, and to explore the underlying mechanisms. The effects of tetrandrine on cell growth, cell viability, cell stemness capacity, cell migration, and cell invasion, as well as the molecules involved in these processes, were investigated in a cell culture system. ⋯ The in vivo studies also showed that tetrandrine inhibited tumor growth and metastasis of both adherent normal cells, and flow cytometry sorted specific CD44[Formula: see text]CD24[Formula: see text] breast cancer stem cells, which could be rescued by SOD1 overexpression. The results of this study suggest that tetrandrine could effectively inhibit breast cancer stem cell characteristics and the EMT process via the SOD1/ROS signaling pathway. Therefore, tetrandrine can be considered a promising anti-TNBC agent.