Salvia miltiorrhiza: Traditional medicinal uses,chemistry, and pharmacology

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge(SM) is a very popular medicinal plant that has been extensively applied for many years to treat various diseases, especially coronary heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, either alone or in combination with other Chinese plant-based medicines. Although a large number of studies on SM have been performed, they are scattered across a variety of publications. The present review is an up-to-date summary of the published scientific information about the traditional uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, side effects, and drug interactions with SM, in order to lay the foundation for further investigations and better utilization of SM. SM contains diverse chemical components including diterpenoid quinones, hydrophilic phenolic acids, and essential oils. Many pharmacological studies have been done on SM during the last 30 years, focusing on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects, and the antioxidative, neuroprotective, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic activities. The research results strongly support the notion that SM has beneficial therapeutic properties and has a potential of being an effective adaptogenic remedy.     

The Potential Effects and Use of Chinese Herbal Medicine Pine Pollen (Pinus pollen): A Bibliometric Analysis of Pharmacological and Clinical Studies

The objectives of this study are to conduct a comprehensive literature search and bibliometric analysis to identify the breadth and volume of pharmacological and clinical studies on pine pollen (Pinus pollen) and to identify the potential effects and the use of pine pollen. Three Chinese electronic databases and two English electronic databases were searched for pharmacological and clinical studies on pine pollen. Data were extracted and analyzed and included publication year, authors,study type, pharmacological research topics or clinical diseases/conditions, usage and type of preparation, authors’ conclusions, and adverse effects. Of 239 publications identified, 180 were pharmacological studies, 37 were clinical trials, and 22 were reviews. Numbers of publications increased particularly from 2004 onward. The top 10 most frequent topics in pharmacological studies were immune regulation, antisenility, antioxidation, liver protection, inhibiting prostate hyperplasia, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, lowering blood glucose, lowering blood lipids, antifatigue, and improving intestinal function. The top 10 most frequent clinical diseasestreated or where pine pollen was used as an adjuvant were bedsores, diaper dermatitis, hyperlipidemia, oral mucositis, eczema, hyperplasia of prostate, hypertension, prostatitis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and radiodermatitis. Eight trialsreported no adverse events associated with pine pollen, one reported mild gastrointestinal reactions, but symptoms disappeared without special management. There have been an increasing number of publications on pine pollen during the past 20 years. Pharmacological studies have shown many potential benefits, and clinical studies have indicated some positive effects when it is either used as a single herb or as an adjuvant to treat disease. Its use as a topical agent, especially for skin diseases, was notable.     

New Collection of Crude Drugs in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010 II. Sankezhen (Berberis spp.)

Sankezhen(Berberidis Radix) is a traditional Chinese materia medica,cold in nature and bitter in taste,for treating syndromes of liver,stomach,and large intestinal meridians,in which berberine and berbamine are the major pharmacological components.Sankezhen has been readmitted in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010 following the 1977 version as the roots of Berberis spp.e.g.B.soulieana,B.wilsonae,B.poiretii,B.vernae,etc.Recent studies showed that Berberis spp.were potential phytomedicines with multiple spectrums therapeutic effects and various pharmaceutical parts.Here we reviewed Sankezhen in traditional use and phytochemistry,and its major active components berberine and berbamine with potential bioactivities recently discovered,such as antitumor,antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic,anti-arrhythmic,and neuro-protective activities.It is necessary to mature the quality assessment of Sankezhen as a new admission of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010.Other parts of Berberis spp.should be investigated to better develop this herb in medicinal usage.     

Advances in Studies on Pharmacological Functions of Ligustilide and their Mechanisms

The article reviewed the research progress of ligustilide in recent years and elaborated its pharmacological functions and mechanisms in detail, especially in ischemic brain injury. Its mechanism includes reducing cerebral infarct volumes and improving neurobehavioral deficits, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptosis, antithrombotic activity, calcium channel blockers function, and effect on erythropoietin. Other pharmacological effects of ligustilide including inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, effects on LPS-induced endotoxic shock, inhibiting constriction effect, suppression of the central nervous system, and ameliorating the memory impairment induced by scopolamine and so on, are also introduced. Ligustilide has potential pharmacological value, which provides a reference for its further research and development.     

Recent Advance in Studies on Angelica sinensis

Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR) is the root of Angelica sinensis which is a fragrant and perennial herb native to China, Japan, and Korea. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the plant is useful for replenishing and invigorating blood, relieving pain, and moistening the intestines, resulting in its application for the treatment of menstrual disorders, and as an emollient and laxative for chronic constipation of the aged and debilitated. An in-depth review of the literature brings to light a great number of chemical constituents that have been isolated from ASR as well as both preclinical (in vivo and in vitro) and clinical studies, which over the years, have sought to investigate the medicinal relevance of some of these phytoconstituents and/or extract(s) prepared from ASR. The purpose of this review is therefore to present some major pharmacological and pharmacokinetic research findings on some selected phytoconstituents of ASR with emphasis on the current trends in terms of research techniques or design. This review would also provide a wealth of information for users/practitioners of TCM regarding the use of ASR or its products for maximum efficiency and minimal toxicity or side effects.     

Ethnopharmacology,phytochemistry and pharmacology of Tephrosia purpurea简

Tephrosiapurpurea （L.） Pers. is popularly known as ＇Sarapunkha＂ in classical Ayurvedic texts. It is a perennial plant belonging to the family Fabaceae, and occurs throughout the Indian subcontinent. T. purpurea is traditionally used to treat spleenomegaly, cirrhosis, cough and cold, abdominal swelling and as an antidote in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Phytochemical investigations indicate the presence of semiglabrin, pongamole, lanceolatins A and B, rutin, lupeol, and β-sitosterol. Flavonoids including （＋）-tephrorin A and B, （＋）-tephrosone, an isoflavone, 7, 4＇-dihydroxy-3＇, 5＇-dimethoxyisoflavone and a chalcone, （＋）-tephropurpurin were isolated from the whole plant. Pharmacological activities of different parts of the plant reported include anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiallergic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antitumor and insect repellent activity. In the present review, the literature on the phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of Tephrosia purpurea （L.） Pers. are summarized to August, 2012.     

Native Medicinal Plant Richness Distribution Patterns and Environmental Determinants of Xinjiang, Northwest China

Objective To comprehensively map the distribution patterns of native medicinal plants of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China; To find the environmental determinants and to give suggestions for the conservation planning of medicinal plants in Xinjiang region. Methods Firstly, we compiled the distribution data of native medicinal plants at a county level in Xinjiang region, including the source plants of Chinese Materia Medica(CMM), Uygur Medicine(UM), and Kazak Medicine(KM); Secondly, we divided the distribution data into grid with a resolution of 0.1°× 0.1° and overlaid it on the topography and climate data in Arcgis 10.0; Finally, we analyzed the correlations of medicinal plant richness and environmental variables with ordinary least square(OLS) regressions and partial regressions. Results UM has more non-native species in Xinjiang region than KM. The species richness of medicinal plants is high in Altay Mountains, western Tianshan Mountains, and part of Kunlun Mountains. The richness of medicinal plants is highly correlated with the vascular plant species richness and climate, and further, the independent effects of vascular plant species richness are higher than the independent effects of climate. The whole plant, root rhizome, and seed fruit are more frequently used than stem and leaf for CMM in Xinjiang region. Conclusion The distribution patterns of medicinal plants are concordant with vascular plant species, which could be carefully considered in the conservation planning of this region. Taking full advantage of current nature reserves is a low-costing approach to the conservation of medicinal plants although they were not originally established for medicinal plant protection. Nevertheless, it is urgent to further study the distributions and protection status of medicinal plants in the nature reserves of Xinjiang region.     

Metabolomics Analysis of Health Functions of PhysalisPubescens L. using by Ultra-performance LiquidChromatography/Electrospray Ionization QuadrupleTime-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Herbal medicines may benefit from metabolomics studies, and applying metabolomics may provide answers about which herbal interventions may be effective for individuals, which metabolic processes are triggered, and the subsequent chemical pathways of activity. Physalis pubescens L (PPL) is an herbal fruit for one year living plant and has been developed into healthy function’s food. However, the mechanisms of health functions are still unclear. To comprehensively and holistically assess its anti-fatigue and antioxidant effects, a novel integrative metabolomics approach was applied. In this study, we present metabolomics analysis applying ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) to determine metabolite alterations after oral administration PPL to rats. Fifteen metabolites in urine were identified as potential biomarkers. Pattern analysis of the UPLC-Q/TOF-MS data disclosed that PPL could relieve fatigue rats by ameliorating the disturbance in amino acids metabolism and energy metabolism, alleviating the oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species and the inflammatory damage, and recovering the destructed regulation. Based on these results, we demonstrated that PPL is a promising source of natural anti-fatigue and antioxidants material for use in functional foods and medicines.     

An example of toxic medicine used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for cancer treatment

<正>An interesting paper “Toxicmedicine used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for cancer treatment: are ion channels involved?”1 was published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine on August 17 this year. This paper proposed a unique view of the potential role of ion channels in the pharmacological effects of toxic Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) for cancer.     

The role of natural products in regulating pyroptosis

In recent years,large numbers of novel cell death types have been reported such as autophagic death,paraptosis,mitosis,oncosis and pyroptosis.As a new type of proinflammatory programmed cell death,pyroptosis has attracted increasing attentions gradually,and its morphological characteristics and molecular mechanisms are significantly different from other cell death types such as necrosis and apoptosis.Many research groups have demonstrated the association between pyroptosis and various human diseases including immunological disease,cancer,atherosclerosis,infectious disease,and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.Natural products are small molecules synthetized in organisms including primary and secondary metabolites.Natural products are important sources of modern innovative drugs discovery and can be used as key tools to explore the molecular mechanism of cell fate.The aim of this study is to review the molecular mechanisms and pathways of pyroptosis,and to categorize and conclude research results on the correlation between different natural products and pyroptosis in recent years.In this study,a total of 39 papers were enrolled in analyses.The molecular pathways and mechanisms of pyroptosis were clearly described.Fourteen types of natural products,their sources,effects,mechanisms and therapeutic potentials are categorized and illuminated.It is showed that a variety of natural products and pyroptosis have close correlations.They negatively or positively affect or act on different positions of pyroptosis inflammatory pathways,indicating that they may have certain potential therapeutic effects on pyroptosis-related diseases.Pyroptosis,a relatively new way of cell death,is closely associated with a variety of diseases.Natural products can have obvious effects on the process of pyroptosis as potential sources of new drugs.In-depth studies using natural products to investigate pyroptosis will help to enhance our understandings of human diseases and establish effective prevention and treatment strategies.     

Current Situation and Evaluation of Clinical Studies on Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment of Peripheral Facial Paralysis at Selected Stages

Peripheral facial paralysis is a frequently encountered disease with a high incidence, and it is one of the most common diseases in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. Because there are rich literatures in clinical studies on acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for this disease, and clinically, it is divided into different stages, in the present paper the current situation of clinical studies about acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for peripheral facial paralysis according to different stages in resent years are analyzed and evaluated including the stage division, the optimal time for treatment, location of injured nerves and assessment of the therapeutic effect, etc.     

Medicinal Model Plants: Breaking the Traditional Medicine Research Methods

正Model organisms are the important part of modern life sciences.Arabidopsis thaliana,Oryza sativa,and other model plants have been widely applied in the field of plant science and agronomy,while the international studies on traditional medicine lack the model organisms.Salvia miltiorrhiza,a perennial herb,is one of the most commonly used medicines.In the review paper of this issue(CHM,2016,8(1):     

Review of Rhubarbs: Chemistry and Pharmacology

Rhubarb is a perennial herb belonging to the genus Rheum L. (Polygonaceae). Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (rhubarb roots and rhizomes) is one of the most popular Chinese materia medica and has been widely used for strong laxative function. About 200 compounds with six different types of skeletons (anthraquinone, anthrone, stilbene, flavonoids, acylglucoside, and pyrone) have so far been isolated from eighteen species of the genus Rheum L. These constituents showed extensive pharmacological activities including cathartic, diuretic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects, as well as toxicological effects. Chemical fingerprint, LC-MS, and other analytical techniques have been used for the quality control of rhubarb. This comprehensive review summarizes the researches into the isolation, pharmacological activities, and phytochemical analysis reported since investigations began in the late 1940s. In addition, pharmacokinetic studies and clinical application of rhubarb are also discussed in present paper.     

Challenges and strategies in progress of drug delivery system for traditional Chinese medicine Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Danshen)

Traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs), with a history of thousands of years, are widely used clinically with effective treatment. However, the drug delivery systems(DDSs) for TCMs remains major challenges due to the characteristics of multi-components including alkaloids, flavones, anthraquinones, glycosides,proteins, volatile oils and other types. Therefore, the novel preparations and technology of modern pharmaceutics is introduced to improve TCM therapeutic effects due to instability and low bioavailability of active ingredients. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, the radix and rhizomes of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge(Danshen in Chinese), is a well known Chinese herbal medicine for protecting the cardiovascular system, with active ingredients mainly including lipophilic tanshinones and hydrophilic salvianolic acids.In this review, this drug is taken as an example to present challenges and strategies in progress of DDSs for TCMs. This review would also summary the characteristics of active ingredients in it including physicochemical properties and pharmacological effects. The purpose of this review is to provide inspirations and ideas for the DDSs designed from TCMs by summarizing the advances on DDSs for both singleand multi-component from Danshen.     

Chemical composition and pharmacological activity of seco-prezizaane-type sesquiterpenesOA

The seco-prezizaane-type sesquiterpenes(SPS), as a special class of sesquiterpenes with a highly oxidative five-ring cage structure and seven consecutive chiral centers, are isolated from the genus Illicium,which have a variety of biological activities, including neurotoxicity and neurotrophic effects, etc. This review summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of SPS, and discusses the potential trend and scope of future research.     

Understanding "medicine and food homology", developing utilization in medicine functions

Chinese medicine is a very big concept of medicine. In Shen-nong era, medicine and food do not divide. "Medicine and food homology", which is called “Chinese medicine and dietary application”, refers to that many foods are drugs, and there is no absolute demarcation line between them. At that time, seventy poisons were encountered in a day for experimental accusations, herbal medicines are divided into upper, middle and lower categories, the safe and non-toxic Chinese medicines are the upper product, which can be consumed, but is just a difference in dosage. Ancient medical scientists applied the theory of "four natures" and "five tastes" of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) into food, believing that each food also has "four natures" and "five tastes". "Medicine and food homology" means that Chinese medicine and food are of the same origin. The theory of "medicine and food homology" based on practice has existed in Chinese traditional medicine since ancient times. In ancient primitive society, people discovered the sexual taste and efficacy of various foods and medicines in the process of searching for food, realizing that many foods can be used medicinally and many medicinal materials can be used as dietary supplement. The theory holds that many foods are both food and medicine, and that they are just as effective in preventing disease as drugs. Therefore, this theory of "medicine and food homology" is also the basis of food therapy. Strictly speaking, in the TCM, drugs and food are indiscriminate. Food has fewer side effects, but drugs have more. This is another meaning of medicine and food homology. Hence, the source of Chinese medicine and food is the same. Some things can only be used to treat diseases, known as drugs, some things can only be used for diet, known as foods. The line between medicine and food is not very clear because they all have healing powers. Such as orange, hawthorn, black plum, walnuts, almonds, fennel, cinnamon, pumpkin seeds and so on, they are not only Chinese medicine with a good curative effect, but also nutritious delicious food that people often eat. The common point of TCM and food is to have a healthy function to prevent and control diseases. The difference between them is that the TCM has strong therapeutic effect, which is often called "strong drug". When the medicine is used correctly, the effect is prominent. However, the therapeutic effect of food is not as prominent and rapid as that of TCM. The important issue cannot be ignored is that medicaments will not be often taken commonly though their action is strong, and food we eat every day though food action is weak. Our daily diet, in addition to the supply of essential nutrients, will also be more or less due to the performance of the food on the balance and physiological function of the adverse or favorable impact, accumulation, from quantitative change to qualitative change, the impact becomes very obvious. In this sense, they are no less effective than TCM. Accordingly, adjusting food correctly and reasonably, with long-term adherence, can have the effect that medicaments cannot achieve. In this issue of CHM journal, we organized four articles on Lycium barbarum, Gardenia jasminoides, Taraxacum mongolicum, and Moringa oleifera (Gouqizi, Zhizi, Pugongying, and Lamu in Chinese, respectively) with medicine and food functions, focusing on the analysis and discussion of the current research status and put forward the views or opinions of authors on the development of these four Chinese medicines. The present paper on Lycium barbarum focuses on the legal plant resource and reviews the main research in medicinal field including botanical identification, ethnopharmacological functions, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, clinic usages, and safety issues. Fruits of Gardenia jasminoides haves been used as dietary supplement and traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Recent studies of Gardenia jasminoides reveal that the extracts or the active components play an essential role in oxidative stress, inflammation, hepatoprotection, neuroprotection, anti-diabetes, antitumor and so on. Here, we reviewed Gardenia jasminoides in the botanical identity, chemical ingredients, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics, safety and toxicity evaluation, clinical application, etc. Taraxacum mongolicum has been used in TCM and dietary application, and T. officinale has been applied in medicinal and food use in other regions and cultures around the globe. Authors summarized the phytochemical constituents of dandelion (particularly from T. mongolicum and T. officinale). Recent published health benefits of dandelion, such as anti-oxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, blood sugar and lipids regulation and hepatoprotective activity, as well as its safety data were highlighted. The limited human clinical study and pharmacokinetics information lead to the thought that well-designed human clinical study should be the focus and opportunity for the future research area to truly understand efficacy function and health benefit of dandelion for its application in medicine and health food area. Moringa oleifera is one of the most widespread species belonging to family Moringaceae. Almost each part of this tree has enormous properties in nutrition, medicine or other industrial purposes. This review mainly introduces nutritional ingredients, bioactive compounds, applications, and potentials of this tree including leaves, seeds, pods, flowers, root barks, and gum in order to bring convenience to industries and researchers all over the world focusing on each part of this amazing plant. Moreover, the review also analyzes the current application situation of M. oleifera in China. Authors concluded that most current researches focus on the leaves and seeds of this plant, and the most concerned property of M. oleifera is the antioxidant ability. Medicine and food dual-use plants of China have a long history of application, and the medicine-food dual-use plants have both certain physiological effects and long-term edible safety. For people with potential risk of onset, healthy products developed by edible and edible dual-use plants can prevent disease occurrence and maintain health, and are more scientific and rational than drug treatment after disease occurrence. The development and utilization has broad market prospects. According to the research and development status of Chinese plant resources, the development and utilization of medicine-food dual-use plants is facing challenges. Evaluation and selection of efficacy in research and development, study of functional substance basis and mechanism of action, functional product positioning and composition design, and plant resource germplasm evaluation, planting process management, post-harvest storage, etc. involved in functional food quality control process. A series of key technical issues, such as intensive processing and comprehensive utilization of resources, require efforts to carry out research in order to provide certain theoretical guidance and practice for the development and utilization of dual-use plant resources in China.     

Pharmacology and Clinical Application of Plants in Epimedium L.

Herba Epimedii is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine for “strengthening the kidney” and “reinforcing bone” for a long time in China and other Asian countries. In this study, based on the large number of domestic and international references and research results, the authors reviewed pharmacological effects and the clinical application of species in genus Epimedium L. Meanwhile, chemical conversion and biotransformation of the major active compounds during the processing of the plants in Epimedium L. and their metabolism in vivo were summarized. This provides a guidance for the application and development in clinical therapy in the future.     

Research progress in the use of leeches for medical purposes

Leeches are invertebrates that have a long history of application in the development of human medicine in both the East and the West.This paper comprehensively analyzes and evaluates current research and the latest progress with regard to the application of leeches,their medical value,and their application prospects from various perspectives,so as to provide a reference for new viewpoints and directions for research on leeches.Modern research has revealed that leeches contain various bioactive components,which have pharmacological effects such as anticoagulation,antithrombosis,blood viscosity reduction,and anti-atherosclerosis.Leech therapy is an important treatment approach for venous congestion after microsurgery and is also an effective adjuvant treatment for diabetic feet,chronic pain,and tumors.Therefore,leeches are of importance for the research and development of new drugs,the restoration of blood supply after surgery,and the adjuvant treatment of diseases accompanied by blood blocking.In addition,leeches can also be used as model organisms for research in evolutionary biology and invertebrate neurophysiology as well as in neurophysiological,behavioral,and functional studies.     

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China

Objective To document the knowledge and the use of indigenous medicinal plants by traditional healers in Baotou,Inner Mongolia,China.Methods Data were collected from 112 randomly-selected interviewees using semistructured interviews in wild herbal plant collected from 2007 to 2010.The data from the interviewees were analyzed with two quantitative tools.With the informant consensus factor,the information homology was evaluated and with the fidelity level the most important species from the categories were found.Results One hundred and fifty-two species belonging to 112 genera in 48 families with medicinal values were recorded.The reported medicinal plants species were used to treat 63 kinds of diseases.And the medicinal plants in this district possessed significant potentials for their pharmacological activities in the context of ethnopharmacological knowledge,especially in the treatments of gastrointestinal,dermatological,and cardiovascular diseases.Conclusion In this work,152 medicinal plants with their ethnopharmacological information are reported.This study demonstrates that many species play an important role in healing practices among inhabitants from Baotou.More ethnopharmacological information of Mongolian medicinal plants should be gathered and documented in further studies,which is a fundamental step toward developing efficacious natural drugs for various diseases.