BACKGROUND: Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), known as Chen Pi in China, is the most commonly used medicine for regulating qi. As a traditional medicine, CRP has been extensively used in the clinical treatment of nausea, vomiting, cough and phlegm for thousands of years. It is mainly distributed in Guangdong, Sichuan, Fujian and Zhejiang in China. Due to its high frequency of use, many scholars have conducted a lot of research on it and the related chemical constituents it contains. In this review, the research progress on phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicology of CRP are summarized.
OBJECTIVE: The review aims to sort out the methods of extraction and purification, pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics and toxicology of the chemical constituents in CRP, in order to elaborate the future research directions and challenges for the study of CRP and related chemical constituents.
METHODS: Valid and comprehensive relevant information was collected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science, PubMed and so on.
RESULTS: CRP contains a variety of compounds, of which terpenes, flavonoids and alkaloids are the main components, and they are also the primary bioactive components that play a pharmacological role. Flavonoids and terpenes are extracted and purified by aqueous and alcoholic extraction methods, assisted by ultrasonic and microwave extraction, in order to achieve higher yields with less resources. Pharmacological studies have shown that CRP possesses a variety of highly active chemical components and a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, therapeutic for cardiovascular-related disorders, antioxidant, antibacterial, and neuroprotective effects.
CONCLUSIONS: There is a diversity in the chemical compositions of CRP, which have multiple biological activities and promising applications. However, the pharmacological activities of CRP are mainly dependent on the action of its chemical components, but the relationship between the structure of chemical components and the biological effects has not been thoroughly investigated, and therefore, the structure-activity relationship is an issue that needs to be elucidated urgently. In addition, the pharmacokinetic studies of the relevant components can be further deepened and the correlation studies between pharmacological effects and syndromes of TCM can be expanded to ensure the effectiveness and rationality of CRP for human use.

BACKGROUND: Upon the release of the selection results of \"Qin Medicine,\" numerous Chinese herbal medicines and proprietary Chinese medicines have regained attention. Physochlainae Radix (Huashanshen), a herbal medicine named after Mount Hua, the prominent peak in the Qinling Mountains, has garnered particular interest. Despite this, the impact of Physochlainae Radix and Qin medicines as a whole remains significantly overshadowed by the renown of Mount Hua.
METHODS: Search on Using \"Physochlainae Radix\" as the keyword; searches were conducted across China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, WIP Database, PubMed, Web of Science, and the National Library of China databases.
RESULTS: This study presents an overview of Physochlainae Radix by reviewing its history, chemical composition, preparation methods, planting and cultivation practices, concoctions, alkaloid detection, contraindications for use, resource recycling, and predicting quality markers.
CONCLUSIONS: To facilitate the further application and development of Physochlainae Radix, this study also addresses the challenges in the development of Qin medicines and proposes potential solutions.

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BACKGROUND: Potentilla Anserina Linnaeus, a traditional Chinese herb with ethnic characteristics, is considered a superior material by the people of Qinghai and Tibet. Traditionally, it has been used to invigorate the spleen, quench thirst, tonify the blood, astringing to stop bleeding, and relieve diarrhea. This is the reason for its frequent usage in treating spleen deficiency, diarrhea, and various bleeding disorders. At the same time, P. anserina is often consumed as food by the Tibetan people to obtain nourishment and health benefits.
OBJECTIVE: The present review provides a systematic description of P. anserina, covering its botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemical constituents, and various pharmacological activities of extracts. This overview aims to provide insights into research directions and potential applications of P. anserina.
METHODS: Information on P. anserina was gathered through various sources, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Elsevier, CNKI, and Web of Science. In addition, information was available from native texts and prominent ethnopharmacologists.
RESULTS: So far, 154 different chemical substances have been isolated and identified from P. anserina, with tannins, flavonoids, and triterpenes accounting for the majority. Polysaccharides and triterpenes are the main material components responsible for the pharmacological activity of P. anserina. Research shows that P. anserina exhibits rich pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antiviral, blood tonic, immune regulation, cardiovascular system treatment, diabetes treatment, and liver protection.
CONCLUSIONS: Some traditional applications of P. anserina have been confirmed. However, due to incomplete evaluation indicators and other reasons, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to clarify its pharmacological evaluation, which remains a focus of future research. Additionally, we recommend that future studies concentrate on the quality control and safety evaluation of P. anserina to address research gaps and offer theoretical support for the plant\'s potential functions and clinical applications.

Daphne genkwa, as a traditional medicine, is widely distributed in China, Korea and Vietnam. In China, the dried flower buds of this plant are named \"Yuanhua\". It has the ability to effectively promote urination, eliminate phlegm and alleviate cough, eliminate parasites and cure of scabies, with a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects and considerable clinical efficacy. This paper provides a summary and classification of the main chemical constituents of D. genkwa based on a review of relevant domestic and foreign literature. It also outlines the current research status of traditional clinical usage, pharmacological effects, and toxicity of D. genkwa. The aim is to provide a theoretical basis for further study of D. genkwa and its potential new clinical applications.

Volatile oil serves as a traditional antipyretic component of Bupleuri Radix. Bupleurum marginatum var. stenophyllum (Wolff) Shan et Y. Li belongs to the genus Bupleurum and is distinguished for its high level of saikosaponins and volatile oils; nonetheless, prevailing evidence remains inconclusive regarding its viability as an alternative resource of other official species. This study aims to systematically compare the volatile oil components of both dried and fresh roots of B. marginatum var. stenophyllum and the four legally available Bupleurum species across their chemical, molecular, bionics, and anatomical structures. A total of 962 compounds were determined via GC-MS from the dried roots; B. marginatum var. stenophyllum showed the greatest differences from other species in terms of hydrocarbons, esters, and ketones, which was consistent with the results of fresh roots and the e-nose analysis. A large number of DEGs were identified from the key enzyme family of the monoterpene synthesis pathway in B. marginatum var. stenophyllum via transcriptome analysis. The microscopic observation results, using different staining methods, further showed the distinctive high proportion of phloem in B. marginatum var. stenophyllum, the structure which produces volatile oils. Together, these pieces of evidence hold substantial significance in guiding the judicious development and utilization of Bupleurum genus resources.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease mainly caused by insulin resistance, which can lead to a series of complications such as cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, and its typical clinical symptom is hyperglycaemia. Glucosidase inhibitors, including Acarbose, Miglitol, are commonly used in the clinical treatment of hypoglycaemia. In addition, Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is also an important promising target for the treatment of T2DM. Gynostemma pentaphyllum is a well-known oriental traditional medicinal herbal plant, and has many beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. In the present study, three new and nine known dammarane triterpenoids isolated from G. pentaphyllum, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including HR-ESI-MS,1H and 13C NMR and X-ray crystallography. All these compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, α-amylase and PTP1B. The results suggested that compounds 7∼10 were potential antidiabetic agents with significantly inhibition activity against PTP1B in a dose-dependent manner.

Sophora flavescens has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1700 years. This plant is known for its heat-clearing, damp-drying, insecticidal, and diuretic properties. Phytochemical research has identified prenylated flavonoids as a unique class of bioactive compounds in S. flavescens. Recent pharmacological studies reveal that the prenylated flavonoids from S. flavescens (PFS) exhibit potent antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and glycolipid metabolism-regulating activities, offering significant therapeutic benefits for various diseases. However, the pharmacokinetics and toxicological profiles of PFS have not been systematically studied. Despite the diverse biological effects of prenylated flavonoid compounds against similar diseases, their structure-activity relationship is not yet fully understood. This review aims to summarize the latest findings regarding the chemical composition, drug metabolism, pharmacological properties, toxicity, and structure-activity relationship of prenylated flavonoids from S. flavescens. It seeks to highlight their potential for clinical use and suggest directions for future related studies.

Rosin, a natural resin obtained from conifer trees, has a long history of use in traditional folk medicine for treating abscesses, wounds, carbuncles, and burns, etc. It has been employed in ancient Egypt, China, Nordic countries, and Turkey as a therapeutic remedy. This comprehensive review examines the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of rosin, and it provides a critical update on current knowledge of rosin and identifies potential therapeutic opportunities. The chemical composition of rosin is known to vary depending on factors such as botanical sources, geographical locations, and processing methods. Rosin acids, which account for over 90% of its primary chemical constituents, have been identified as the predominant compounds in rosin. Researchers have isolated approximately 50 compounds from rosin, with terpenoid rosin acids being the most prevalent. Furthermore, the review highlights the potential pharmacological activities of rosin and its constituents. Crude extracts and isolated rosin acids have demonstrated promising properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, insecticidal, wound healing, and anti-obesity effects. However, the review emphasizes that further research is needed, as existing studies are predominantly preliminary. Many of the reported bioactivities require further verification, and the underlying mechanisms of action remain largely unexplored. In conclusion, rosin has been extensively used in traditional medicine across different cultures, and its chemical composition has been confirmed to a significant extent. The pharmacological activities observed in crude extracts and isolated rosin acids support its traditional uses. Nevertheless, additional research is necessary to deepen our understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms underlying its effects.

BACKGROUND: Rheum palmatum, R. tanguticum, and R. officinale, integral species of the genus Rheum, are widely used across global temperate and subtropical regions. These species are incorporated in functional foods, medicines, and cosmetics, recognized for their substantial bioactive components.
OBJECTIVE: This review aims to synthesize developments from 2014 to 2023 concerning the botanical characteristics, ethnopharmacology, nutritional values, chemical compositions, pharmacological activities, mechanisms of action, and toxicity of these species.
METHODS: Data on the three Rheum species were gathered from a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed articles, patents, and clinical trials accessed through PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CNKI.
RESULTS: The aerial parts are nutritionally rich, providing essential amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals, suitable for use as health foods or supplements. Studies have identified 143 chemical compounds, including anthraquinones, anthrones, flavonoids, and chromones, which contribute to their broad pharmacological properties such as laxative, anti-diarrheal, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, antidiabetic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. Notably, the materials science approach has enhanced understanding of their medicinal capabilities through the evaluation of bioactive compounds in different therapeutic contexts.
CONCLUSIONS: As medicinal and economically significant herb species, Rheum species provide both edible aerial parts and medicinal underground components that offer substantial health benefits. These characteristics present new opportunities for developing nutritional ingredients and therapeutic products, bolstering the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Paeoniae Radix Rubra (PRR) known as Chishao, in China, is the dried root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. or Paeonia veitchii Lynch, with a history of over 2000 years in traditional Chinese medicine, is employed to clear heat, cool the blood, dispel blood stasis, and alleviate pain. Phytochemical investigations identified 264 compounds that contained monoterpenes and their glycosides, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, steroids, flavonoids, lignans, tannins, volatile oils, and other compounds. It has been reported to have different pharmacological activities, including cardiovascular-protective, antidepressive, neuroprotective, antitumor, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study offers a comprehensive review covering ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, therapeutic mechanism for blood stasis syndrome, and quality control of PRR. The comprehensive analysis aims to achieve a thorough understanding of its effects and serves as a foundation for future research and development.