Ephedrae Herba (Ephedra), known as “MaHuang” in China, is the dried straw stem that is associated with the lung and urinary bladder meridians. At present, more than 60 species of Ephedra plants have been identified, which contain more than 100 compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, sugars, and organic phenolic acids. This herb has long been used to treat asthma, liver disease, skin disease, and other diseases, and has shown unique efficacy in the treatment of COVID-19 infection. Because alkaloids are the main components causing toxicity, the safety of Ephedra must be considered. However, the nonalkaloid components of Ephedra can be effectively used to replace ephedrine extracts to treat some diseases, and reasonable use can ensure the safety of Ephedra. We reviewed the phytochemistry, pharmacology, clinical application, and alkaloid toxicity of Ephedra, and describe prospects for its future development to facilitate the development of Ephedra.

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common and frequently occurring disease in gynecology, seriously threatening women’s health. Baoyin Jian (BYJ) is a classical prescription for treating AUB. However, the lack of quality control standards of BYJ for AUB have limited the development and applications of BYJ. This experiment aims to explore the mechanism of action and screen the quality markers (Q-markers) of BYJ against AUB through the Chinmedomics strategy to improve the quality standards of Chinese medicine and provide scientific basis for its further development. BYJ has hemostatic effects in rats, as well as the ability to regulate the coagulation system following incomplete medical abortion. According to the results of histopathology, biochemical indexes and urine metabolomics, a total of 32 biomarkers of ABU in rats were identified, 16 of which can be significantly regulated by BYJ. Using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) serum pharmacochemistry technology, 59 effective components were detected in vivo, of which 13 were highly correlated with efficacy, and 9 components, namely catalpol, rehmannioside D, paeoniflorin, berberine, phellodendrine, baicalin, asperosaponinVI, liquiritin, and glycyrrhizic acid, were screened out as the Q-markers of BYJ based on the “Five Principles” of Q-markers. In sum, BYJ can effectively alleviate abnormal bleeding symptoms and metabolic abnormalities in AUB rats. The study shows that Chinmedomics is an effective tool for screening Q-markers and provides scientific support for the further development and clinical use of BYJ.

Traditional Chinese medicine-derived carbon dots (TCM-CDs) are prepared by top-down or bottom-up synthesis methods using TCM or their active ingredients as precursors, and the size of TCM-CDs is usually less than 10 nm. It has the advantages of easy preparation, low toxicity, and high compatibility. Compared with traditional Chinese medicines, it shows more outstanding performance in antioxidant, hemostatic, antibacterial, and other aspects, thus having good development prospects. This paper systematically reviews the synthesis methods of carbon dots, focusing on the influence of different traditional Chinese medicine precursors on the formation of carbon dots during the processing process, and analyzes the performance of carbon dots in enhancing the efficacy of original medicinal materials, exerting multi-target synergistic effects, improving bioavailability, and generating new medicinal effects. It is expected to provide a theoretical basis and reference direction for the in-depth research and development of traditional Chinese medicine carbon dots in the field of medicinal value.

Plant‑derived natural compounds are an important source of anticancer drugs. Lycopene, commonly referred to as ‘plant gold’, is a powerful antioxidant with multiple health benefits. It may be associated with a reduction in the morbidity and mortality of several types of cancer, making it a promising anticancer agent. The present review summarizes the synergistic effects of lycopene as a dietary supplement with other chemotherapy drugs or nutrients, for the enhancement of anticancer effects or the reduction of side effects from chemotherapy drugs. Moreover, due to its low water solubility, the development of novel drug delivery systems may improve the bioavailability of lycopene. By summarizing epidemiological research, the present review highlights the current clinical research status and limitations of lycopene, with the aim to provide useful information and guidance for future research on the anticancer effects of lycopene.

Background and Objectives: As a medicinal and food homologous substance, Eupolyphaga steleophaga is renowned for its potential health benefits, including anti-tumor effects, immune system support, and anti-inflammatory properties. Eupolyphaga steleophaga polypeptides have demonstrated significant biological activity, including the regulation of coagulation and lipid metabolism. However, the peptide composition of Eupolyphaga steleophaga requires further clarification to facilitate quality control improvements and a deeper investigation into its pharmacological effects. Therefore, this study aimed to simulate the digestive absorption process of Eupolyphaga steleophaga following oral administration and identify its enzymatic components to enhance quality control. Methods: The digestive absorption process was simulated using artificial gastric fluid and pepsin. A fingerprinting method based on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS)(Acquire UPLC-Synapt G2-Si HDMS, Waters Corporation, Milford, MA, USA) was developed to identify 63 enzymatic components. The enzymolysis polypeptide fingerprint detection method was used to analyze 10 batches of Eupolyphaga steleophaga sourced from Harbin No. 4 Traditional Chinese Medicine Factory. Chromatographic collection was performed using an ACQUITY UPLC BHE C18 column. Gradient elution was carried out using a mixture of 0.1% formic acid with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid with water, with an average flow rate of 0.3 mL/min, a column temperature of 40 °C, and an injection volume of 2 μL. The mass spectrometry (MS) conditions were set as follows: the ion source was operated in positive electrospray ionization (ESI+) mode, with a capillary voltage of 2.8 kV and a sampling cone voltage of 40 V. The ion-source temperature was maintained at 110 °C, while the desolvation temperature was set to 400 °C. The cone gas flow rate was 50 L/h, and the desolvation gas flow rate was 800 L/h. The range for the collection of mass-to-charge ratios (m/z) was between 50 and 1200. Results: The UHPLC-MS method demonstrated high accuracy, repeatability, and stability, successfully identifying 63 enzymatic components of Eupolyphaga steleophaga. Furthermore, polypeptide markers for 63 selected components were identified in all 10 batches of Eupolyphaga steleophaga medicinal materials. This approach was validated by including numerical values such as retention times and peak areas, confirming its reliability for quality control enhancement. Conclusions: This novel UHPLC-MS approach serves as a powerful tool for advancing quality control strategies in veterinary medicine, particularly for animal-derived medicines. It lays a solid foundation for subsequent pharmacological studies of Eupolyphaga steleophaga polypeptides, offering a more reliable means to explore their biological activities and therapeutic potential.

Blood deficiency syndrome (BDS) is a systemic disorder characterized by hematopoietic dysfunction and immune dysregulation. Given the limitations of curren