The American journal of Chinese medicine
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The use of medicinal leeches in clinical therapy has been employed for a long time, as it was originally recognized for exerting antithrombin effects. These effects were due to the ability of the leech to continuously suck blood while attached to human skin. According to Chinese Pharmacopoei, leeches used in traditional Chinese medicine mainly consist of Whitmania pigra Whitman, Hirudo nipponia Whitman, and Whitmania acranulata, but the latter two species are relatively scarce. ⋯ In recent decades, medicinal leeches have been applied in fields including anti-inflammatory treatment, cardiovascular disease management, antitumor treatment, and many other medical conditions. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the historical journey and medicinal applications of leeches in various medical conditions, emphasizing their pharmaceutical significance within traditional Chinese medicine. This review offers valuable insights for exploring additional therapeutic opportunities involving the use of leeches in various diseases and elucidating their underlying mechanisms for future research.
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Artemisinin (ART) and its derivatives, collectively referred to as artemisinins (ARTs), have been approved for the treatment of malaria for decades. ARTs are converted into dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the only active form, which is reductive in vivo. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the neuroprotective potential of ARTs and the underlying mechanisms on several of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, particularly considering their potential application in those associated with cognitive and motor impairments including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ⋯ ARTs can also inhibit ferroptosis, activate the Akt/Bcl-2, AMPK, or ERK/CREB pathways to reduce oxidative stress, and maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, protecting neurons from oxidative stress injury. More importantly, ARTs structurally combine with and suppress β-Amyloid (A[Formula: see text]-induced neurotoxicity, reduce P-tau, and maintain O-GlcNAcylation/Phosphorylation balance, leading to relieved pathological changes in neurodegenerative diseases. Collectively, these natural properties endow ARTs with unique potential for application in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Atractylodin is one of the main active ingredients of Atractylodis Rhizoma. It has various pharmacological properties, such as antigastric ulcer, immune regulation, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-oxidant, and neuroprotective properties. In the past few decades, atractylodin has attracted the attention of researchers due to its excellent therapeutic effects. ⋯ Among them, the pathways related to G1/M are more widely stagnated. In inhibiting the migration and invasion of cancer cells, atractylodin mainly regulates the Wnt signaling pathway, downregulates the expression of N-cadherin in cancer cells, and then blocks the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, inhibiting the phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR proteins, thereby having a significant impact on the invasion and migration of cancer cells. This paper systematically reviews the research progress on the antitumor effects and mechanisms of atractylodin, hoping to provide a reference and theoretical basis for its clinical application and new drug development.
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Recent research has extensively explored the intricate mechanisms that underlie the effectiveness of acupuncture, highlighting the importance of stimulating acupoints, the role of acupuncture techniques in managing diseases, and the interaction between meridian pathways and molecular processes. Studies have underscored the crucial role of acupuncture in activating neurons, modulating the immune system, and influencing vascular activity, all of which contribute significantly to its therapeutic benefits across a wide range of symptoms and conditions. Utilization of imaging modalities enables the identification of changes in cerebral blood flow, brain function, and regional glucose metabolism following acupuncture sessions. ⋯ Acupuncture initiates the release of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and immune factors, impacting pain perception, inflammation, and physiological functions. It influences the complex neuro-endocrine-immune network by activating pathways involving the nervous system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and immune responses. Moreover, acupuncture induces molecular modifications such as phosphorylation, methylation, and histone modification, leading to key molecular changes that ultimately result in anti-inflammatory effects and the regulation of immune responses.
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Osthole, a coumarin compound mainly derived from Cnidium monnieri (L.), has attracted much interest from the scientific community owing to its multiple therapeutic properties. However, its pharmacological mechanism, pharmacokinetics, and toxicological effects are far from clear. Furthermore, the potential drug delivery platforms of osthole remain to be comprehensively delineated. ⋯ In addition, this phytoconstituent possesses potential hepatotoxicity, and caution should be exercised against the risk of the drug combination. Furthermore, given its needy solubility in aqueous medium and non-organizational targeting, novel drug delivery methods have been designed to overcome these shortcomings. Given the properties of osthole, its therapeutic benefits ought to be elucidated in a greater array of comprehensive research studies, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these benefits should be explored.