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Recent research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) saponin pharmacokinetics has revealed transformative breakthroughs and challenges. The multicomponent nature of TCM makes it difficult to select representative indicators for pharmacokinetic studies. The clinical application of saponins is limited by their low bioavailability and short half-life, resulting in fluctuating plasma concentrations. Future directions should focus on novel saponin compounds utilizing colon-specific delivery and osmotic pump systems to enhance oral bioavailability. Optimizing drug combinations, such as ginsenosides with aspirin, shows therapeutic potential. Rigorous clinical validation is essential for practical applications. This review emphasizes a transformative era in saponin research, highlighting the need for clinical validation. TCM saponin pharmacokinetics, guided by traditional principles, are in development, utilizing multidisciplinary approaches for a comprehensive understanding. This research provides a theoretical basis for new clinical drugs and supports rational clinical medication.

Introduction:P. candolleana Wight et Arn. Is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used by the Gelao nationality in southwest China, has been historically applied to treat various gastrointestinal disorders. Despite its traditional usage, scientific evidence elucidating its efficacy and mechanisms in treating ulcerative colitis (UC) remains sparse. This study aimed to determine the quality and chemical composition of Pimpinella candolleana and to identify its potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) rats through integrated approaches.Methods: Morphological and microscopic characteristics, thin layer chromatography (TLC) identification, and quantitative analysis of P. candolleana were performed. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, network pharmacology, and molecular docking were used to identify its chemical composition and predict its related targets in UC. Furthermore, a rat model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of P. candolleana on UC.Results: Microscopic identification revealed irregular and radial arrangement of the xylem in P. candolleana, with a light green cross-section and large medullary cells. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis detected and analyzed 570 metabolites, including flavonoids, coumarins, and terpenoids. Network pharmacology identified 12 effective components and 176 target genes, with 96 common targets for P. candolleana-UC, including quercetin, luteolin, and nobiletin as key anti-inflammatory components. GO and KEGG revealed the potential involvement of their targets in RELA, JUN, TNF, IKBKB, PTGS2, and CHUK, with action pathways such as PI3K-Akt, TNF, IL-17, and apoptosis. Molecular docking demonstrated strong affinity and binding between these key components (quercetin, luteolin, and nobiletin) and the key targets of the pathway, including JUN and TNF. Treatment with P. candolleana improved body weight loss, the disease activity index, and colonic histological damage in UC rats. Pimpinella candolleana also modulated the levels of IL-2 and IL-6 in UC rats, reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, MAPK8, TNF-α, CHUK, and IKBKB mRNA, and decreased the expression of TNF, IKBKB, JUN, and CHUK proteins in the colon of UC rats, thereby reducing inflammation and alleviating UC symptoms.Conclusion:P. candolleana exerts its protective effect on UC by reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibiting inflammation, providing scientific evidence for its traditional use in treating gastrointestinal diseases. This study highlights the potential of P. candolleana as a natural therapeutic agent for UC and contributes to the development of novel medicines for UC treatment.

Introduction: Traditional animal- and mineral-based medicines are widely used in the Gansu-Ningxia-Inner Mongolia junction zone, a region with diverse ethnic groups and cultures. This study aims to document, conserve, and explore the potential of these medicines for further research and sustainable development of ethnic medicine.Methods: We interviewed 56 informants from different ethnic backgrounds and analyzed their responses quantitatively. Additionally, a comparative analysis with adjacent regions was conducted, providing invaluable contextual insights.Results: The study unveiled a diverse array of traditional medicines in the Gansu-Ningxia-Inner Mongolia junction zone. A total of 47 animal-based medicines were identified, ranging from insects and scorpios to distinctive animal organs. Of notable significance was Moschus, emerging as a pivotal traditional Chinese medicine resource. In parallel, 12 mineral-based medicines were cataloged, procured both locally and from “pharmacies”. Female informants, frequently local herbal practitioners, demonstrated broader knowledge of medicines. The analysis of 13 villages revealed varying perceptions of medicine importance, underscoring the wealth of traditional knowledge. Specific medicines, such as Feng-Mi and Xie-Zi, were widely used and valued in local healthcare practices for their cultural and medicinal benefits.Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive overview of traditional animal- and mineral-based medicines in the Gansu-Ningxia-Inner Mongolia junction zone. It highlights the need for preserving and applying these practices in a sustainable manner. It also lays a solid foundation for future research on ethnic medicine, which can contribute to the holistic wellbeing of local communities.

Introduction: The Gelao ethnic minority of northern Guizhou, China have long possessed extensive traditional knowledge of medicinal herbs. This ethnobotanical study aimed to document and evaluate wild plants used medicinally by the Gelao people, providing insights into their traditional medicine and knowledge systems.Methods: Field research was conducted in Gelao communities of Daozhen, Wuchuan and Zheng’an counties using interviews, surveys and participatory rural appraisal.Results: Quantitative ethnobotanical indices were utilized to assess the cultural significance of 187 herbs identified. The herbs belonged to 84 families, primarily Compositae, and were mostly roots, rhizomes and whole plants. They were used to treat digestive, respiratory and inflammatory disorders, gynecological diseases, bites and other conditions, mainly through decoctions. 25 highly significant herbs (national plant cultural significance index > 1000) were known to protect health. Some function as food and are considered safe. However, the study revealed issues including a declining number of knowledgeable elders and inadequate hygiene controls.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the Gelao’s extensive medicinal plant knowledge and highlight the need for further ethnobotanical research to document and preserve this culturally important tradition. The identified herbs also represent an alternative medicinal resource with potential modern applications pending further investigation of their pharmacology and sustainable use. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into Gelao ethnobotanical knowledge and the potential of indigenous medicine for modern healthcare.

Objectives: Coronary microembolization (CME) represents a serious periprocedural complication after percutaneous coronary intervention. Ferroptosis has been identified in multiple cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of atorvastatin (ATV) on ferroptosis and inflammation following CME and elucidate the underlying mechanism.Methods: We established a rat model of CME by injecting microspheres into the left ventricle. Deferoxamine (DFO), a selective ferroptosis inhibitor, or ATV was pretreated before modeling. Cardiac function and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels were detected. Levels of ferroptosis-associated genes, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferrous iron (Fe2+) were measured to validate ferroptosis. Levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) were assayed to determine the inflammation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was performed to determine the binding of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (Hif1a) to the promoter of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2 (Ptgs2).Results: Ferroptosis and inflammation were induced following CME with increased levels of MDA (∼2.5 fold, p < 0.01), Fe2+ (∼1.5 fold, p < 0.01), TNF-α, and IL-1β and decreased GSH levels (∼42%, p < 0.01). Meanwhile, the level of Ptgs2 was significantly increased, while those of glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (Slc7a11) were decreased. The level of cTnT was increased by 7-fold (p < 0.01). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly reduced (∼85% in the sham group versus ∼45% in the CME group, p < 0.01). DFO or Ptgs2 silencing inhibited the increase of MDA, Ptgs2, TNF-α, and IL-1β, and induced the levels of GSH and Gpx4, followed by reduction in cTnT levels by approximately 50% (p < 0.01). LVEF was improved by approximately 2 fold (p < 0.01). Mechanistically, the transcription factor Hif1a bound to the promoter of Ptgs2 and upregulated its expression. In addition, ATV inhibited the activation of the Hif1a/Ptgs2 axis and attenuated cardiac ferroptosis and inflammation, thus ameliorating CME-induced myocardial injury (LVEF, ∼34% elevation; cTnT, ∼1.8 fold decrease, p < 0.01).Conclusion: Atorvastatin ameliorates ferroptosis-mediated myocardial injury and inflammation following CME via the Hif1a/Ptgs2 pathway.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a member of a family of atypical FGFs, functions as cytokine to control endocrinology and metabolism. Recently, the roles of FGF21 in cardio-cerebral-vascular diseases have been gradually uncovered. In the present study, we investigated the effect of FGF21 on bEnd.3 cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) upon hypoxia stress.Methods and Results: CMECs were cultured in the condition of 1% O2 for 8 h to induce hypoxia stimuli. For FGF21 treatment, recombinant FGF21 (50 nM) was added into the culture medium. Various biomedical assays were used to evaluate the hypoxia-induced injury in CMECs. Under normoxia condition, FGF21 had no obvious effect on cell viability and did not cause any cytotoxicity on CMECs. Under hypoxia condition, FGF21 significantly attenuated the hypoxia-induced injury, evidenced by the influences of FGF21 on CMEC viability and LDH release. TUNEL staining assay and immunoblotting of caspase-3 showed that FGF21 reduced hypoxia-induced apoptosis in CMECs. Mechanistically, FGF21 treatment compromised the hypoxia-induced changes of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant activity, and total superoxide dismutase levels. FGF21 administration decreased hypoxia-induced matrix metalloprotein 3 and matrix metalloprotein 2/9 activity in CMECs. Activities of cyclooxygenase-2 and NF-κB-p65, two pro-inflammatory factors, were also upregulated by hypoxia but suppressed by FGF21. At last, we found that FGF21 increased heat shock protein family A member 1A (HSP72) mRNA and protein expression. Blockade of HSP72 by a pharmacological inhibitor VER155008 or specific siRNA-mediated knockdown abrogated the protection of FGF21 against hypoxia in CMECs.Conclusion: These data demonstrate that FGF21 protects against hypoxia stress-induced injury in CMECs by inducing HSP72 expression, suggesting a therapeutic value of FGF21 in hypoxia-related brain diseases such as ischemic stroke and acute mountain sickness.