Effect and mechanism of Tangzhiqing in improving cardiac function in mice with hyperlipidaemia complicated with myocardial ischaemia

Recent Advances on the Chemical Composition, Pharmacological Properties, and Product Development of Morus alba

INTRODUCTION

Morus alba, a member of the Moraceae family, has a long history of medicinal use in China. Its branches, fruits, leaves, and root bark are rich in various bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and other phytochemicals. These plant parts exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as antidiabetic, antitumor, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. Owing to these properties, various parts of M. alba have been developed into functional foods and health products, attracting considerable public and scientific interest.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and product development related to different parts of M. alba, with particular emphasis on their respective roles in the development of functional products.

METHODS

Relevant literature was retrieved from major scientific databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Information related to the phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, and product development of various parts of M. alba was systematically collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

This review summarizes the chemical composition of different parts of M. alba and their corresponding pharmacological properties. It also highlights recent advancements in the development of functional products derived from M. alba.

CONCLUSIONS

M.orus alba contains a wide array of bioactive compounds with promising pharmacological potential. Its various parts have demonstrated potential in the prevention and management of chronic diseases and have been increasingly utilized in the development of functional health products. Further interdisciplinary studies are warranted to facilitate its translational application in modern healthcare.

Traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular complications: mechanisms and therapeutic approaches

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic endocrine and metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia that poses serious threats to human health and quality of life. The morbidity, disability, and mortality rates of cardiovascular complications stemming from chronic hyperglycemia are primary factors affecting the lifespan of patients with diabetes. Currently, there is no cure for DM. Standard biomedical treatments mostly control the symptoms using insulin injections or oral hypoglycemic drugs. Although the effect of standard biomedical therapy is remarkable, its long-term use is prone to toxic side effects. Numerous studies have recently found that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has strong advantages in the prevention and treatment of DM and cardiovascular complications (DACC). The collection, processing, preparation and clinical use of TCM are guided by the theory of TCM and follow the "holistic concept." Multiple components, pathways, and targets form the basis for the use of TCM in treating multiple parts and organs of the body simultaneously. TCM is mainly derived from natural medicines and their processed products and has fewer side effects. TCM is clinically used as compound prescriptions, botanical drugs, and monomers. TCM, either independently or in combination with standard biomedical treatments, has shown unique therapeutic advantages. This review aimed to explore the recently reported mechanisms of action of TCM in the prevention and treatment of DACC. These findings will aid the optimization of the current therapy or formation of a therapeutic schedule for integrated TCM and standard biomedical treatments.

Targeting mitochondrial circadian rhythms: The potential intervention strategies of Traditional Chinese medicine for myocardial ischaemia‒reperfusion injury

Coronary artery disease has one of the highest mortality rates in the country, and methods such as thrombolysis and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can effectively improve symptoms and reduce mortality, but most patients still experience symptoms such as chest pain after PCI, which seriously affects their quality of life and increases the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events (myocardial ischaemiareperfusion injury, MIRI). MIRI has been shown to be closely associated with circadian rhythm disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria are a key component in the maintenance of normal cardiac function, and new research shows that mitochondria have circadian properties. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a traditional therapeutic approach characterised by a holistic concept and evidence-based treatment, has significant advantages in the treatment of MIRI, and there is an interaction between the yin-yang theory of TCM and the circadian rhythm of Western medicine at various levels. This paper reviews the clinical evidence for the treatment of MIRI in TCM, basic experimental studies on the alleviation of MIRI by TCM through the regulation of mitochondria, the important role of circadian rhythms in the pathophysiology of MIRI, and the potential mechanisms by which TCM regulates mitochondrial circadian rhythms to alleviate MIRI through the regulation of the biological clock transcription factor. It is hoped that this review will provide new insights into the clinical management, basic research and development of drugs to treat MIRI.