Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix (PCR), the rhizome and root of Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc., has been used as an herbal medicine for a long time. In this study, the ultrafiltration combined with high performance liquid chromatography (UF-HPLC) method was developed to screen tyrosinase (TYR), α-glucosidase (α-GLU), and xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitors from PCR. Firstly, the inhibitory activity of 50% methanol PCR extract on TYR, α-GLU, XOD, and acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) was tested. The extract showed a good inhibition on the enzymes, except for ACHE. Therefore, UF-HPLC experiments were carried out to screen TYR, α-GLU, and XOD inhibitors from PCR extract. Seven potential bioactive components were discovered, including methylgallate (1), 1,6-di-O-galloyl-D-glucose (2), polydatin-4′-O-D-glucoside (3), resveratrol-4′-O-D-glucoside (4), polydatin (5), malonyl glucoside resveratrol (6), and resveratrol-5-O-D-glucoside (7). Most of them were found as enzyme inhibitors from PCR for the first time, except polydatin (5), which had been reported as an α-GLUI in PCR in the literature. Finally, molecular docking analysis was applied to validate the interactions of these seven potential active components with the enzymes. Compounds 1–7 were proven as TYR inhibitors, compounds 2, 4–7 were identified as XOD inhibitors, and compounds 4–6 were confirmed as α-GLU inhibitors. In short, the current study provides a good reference for the screening of enzyme inhibitors through UF-HPLC, and provides scientific data for future studies of PCR.

Introduction: Curcumin is gaining recognition as an agent for cancer chemoprevention and is presently administered to humans. However, the limited number of clinical trials conducted for the treatment of prostate cancer is noteworthy. Animal models serve as valuable tools for enhancing our understanding of disease mechanisms and etiology in humans. The objective of this study was to examine the anti-prostate cancer effects of curcumin in vivo for comprehending its current research status and potential clinical applicability.Methods: Our methodology involved a systematic exploration of animal studies pertaining to curcumin and prostate cancer, as documented in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang database, Vip database, and SinoMed, up to 03 September 2023. Risk of bias was assessed using the SYRCLE Animal Study Risk of Bias tool. The results were combined using the RevMan 5.3.Results: A comprehensive analysis was conducted on 17 studies encompassing 263 mouse transplantation tumor models. The findings of this meta-analysis demonstrated that curcumin exhibited a superior inhibitory effect on the volume of prostate cancer tumors in mice compared to the control group (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52, 1.80, p < 0.001). Additionally, curcumin displayed a more effective inhibition of mice prostate cancer tumor weight (SMD: −3.27, 95% CI: −4.70, −1.83, p < 0.001). Furthermore, in terms of tumor inhibition rate, curcumin exhibited greater efficacy (SMD: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.27, p < 0.001). Moreover, curcumin more effectively inhibited PCNA mRNA (SMD: −3.11, 95% CI: −4.60, −1.63, p < 0.001) and MMP2 mRNA (SMD: −3.19, 95% CI: 5.85, −0.53, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Curcumin exhibited inhibitory properties towards prostate tumor growth and demonstrated a beneficial effect on prostate cancer treatment, thereby offering substantiation for further clinical investigations. It is important to acknowledge that the included animal studies exhibited considerable heterogeneity, primarily because of the limited number of studies included. Consequently, additional randomized controlled trials are required to comprehensively assess the efficacy of curcumin in humans.Systematic Review Registration: (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023464661), identifier (CRD42023464661).

Background: Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is a disabling condition worldwide, with exercise therapy as its first-line intervention. Traditional Chinese exercises (eg, Tai Ji, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi) have gained attention, but their comparative efficacy remains unclear. Objective: To compare the efficacy of six traditional Chinese exercises—Tai Ji, Yijinjing, Wuqinxi, Baduanjin, Chan-Chuang Qigong, and Liuzijue—in patients with CNSLBP via Bayesian network meta-analysis. Methods: We searched Chinese (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SionMed) and English (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase) databases up to December 3, 2025. A total of 24 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 2,067 participants were included. The overall methodological quality was moderate, with common limitations in blinding and allocation concealment. A Bayesian random-effects model was used to compare interventions based on visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, with ranking performed via the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Conventional therapy (CT) was defined as rehabilitation training (eg, core muscle strengthening, suspension training, rehabilitation gymnastics), Western medicine, manipulation, or acupuncture. Results: For pain reduction (VAS), Wuqinxi combined with CT (SUCRA=0.80), Chan-Chuang Qigong combined with CT (0.77), and Yijinjing alone (0.69) ranked highest. In pairwise comparisons, these interventions showed statistically significant improvements over conventional therapy alone (P < 0.05). For functional improvement (ODI), Liuzijue combined with CT (0.99), Baduanjin combined with CT (0.76), and Tai Ji combined with CT (0.72) performed best, with significant differences versus CT (P < 0.05). Notably, combined therapies generally outperformed single-modality exercises. Meta-regression suggested that longer intervention durations enhanced the effects of Baduanjin and Wuqinxi. Conclusion: Traditional Chinese exercises, particularly Wuqinxi and Liuzijue when combined with conventional therapy, show promising effects for pain relief and functional improvement in CNSLBP. However, the evidence quality is moderate to low, limited by heterogeneity and methodological constraints. Future studies should prioritize higher-quality designs, longer follow-up, and standardized intervention protocols.

Objective: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common condition. Manual therapy is preferred over other invasive treatments due to its noninvasiveness and safety, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. We here conducted a comprehensive search of randomized controlled trial studies related to manipulative therapy for MPS and conducted a network meta-analysis to provide a basis for clinical applications and experimental studies. Methods: Reports on randomized controlled trials of noninvasive therapy for MPS deposited in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, Chinese Science Citation Database(CSCD), Chinese Citation Database(CCD), Chinese Biomedical Database, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from their respective inception dates until November 10, 2024, were retrieved. A network meta-analysis was performed using Rv4.2.0 software. Results: Fourteen studies involving 588 patients overall were included. The interventions included pain point compression, massage, and ischemic compression. Visual analogue scale scores were reported in 12 studies and the pressure pain threshold was reported in five studies. The outcomes demonstrated that manipulation had a notable effect, although not statistically significant, as compared with conventional treatment and placebo. Overall, the effect of pain-point compression was favorable. The results were stable, with no significant publication bias. Conclusion: Manipulation was an effective treatment for MPS, but the effects were not statistically significant, based on the findings of this study. Owing to issues such as uneven methodological quality and the small sample size of the included studies, further high-quality multicenter, large-sample, randomized double-blind controlled trials are required to verify the reliability of this conclusion.

Purpose: Traditional Chinese medicine possesses distinct advantages in the treatment of acute lumbar sprains, and Tuina (Chinese massage) is a commonly employed therapeutic method. This study employed a Bayesian meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of Tuina therapy for acute lumbar sprain with the aim of providing more evidence-based medical substantiation for clinical practice. Patients and Methods: Randomized controlled trials of Tuina therapy for acute lumbar sprains published in CNKI, CSPD, CCD, CBM, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched up to August 7, 2024. The included studies were assessed for the risk of bias using Cochrane’s randomized controlled trial bias risk assessment tool. Results: Eleven studies involving 810 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Two types of interventions were included: Tuina alone and Tuina combined with conventional treatment. The included studies had a low risk of bias. Three outcome indicators were analyzed. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that, compared with conventional treatment, Tuina alone or in combination with other interventions had a significant advantage in terms of efficacy (P < 0.05). The order of the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was: Tuina (0.79) and Tuina combined with conventional treatment (0.70). Regarding the visual analog scale score, Tuina combined with the other interventions showed significant advantages (P < 0.05). The order of SUCRA was: Tuina combined with conventional treatment (0.80), followed by Tuina alone (0.64). Regarding the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores, Tuina combined with conventional treatment had a significant advantage (P < 0.05). The order of SUCRA was Tuina combined with conventional treatment (0.98), followed by Tuina alone (0.26). Conclusion: The results suggest that Tuina has significant advantages over conventional treatment.

Background: Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition. Acupuncture therapy demonstrates significant advantages due to its unique mechanism of action. However, there are notable discrepancies in the evidence levels among various acupuncture therapies, and direct comparative data between different treatments remain scarce. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating acupuncture therapy for MPS in Neck or shoulder were systematically retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science up to April 30, 2025. Network Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 16.0. Results: This study included 29 RCTs, involving a total of 2424 patients. Thirteen types of interventions were evaluated in the experimental groups: Fu’s subcutaneous needling, Internal heat acupuncture, Electroacupuncture, Round-point needle, Needle knife, Moxibustion, Sunken cord, Acupoint injection, Conventional acupuncture + Moxibustion, Conventional acupuncture + Bloodletting, Conventional acupuncture + Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Conventional acupuncture + Tuina, and Conventional acupuncture + Exercise. Regarding the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores:The top three therapies based on the Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve (SUCRA) values were Moxibustion (0.84), Internal heat acupuncture (0.84), and Conventional acupuncture + Moxibustion (0.79). In terms of efficacy, based on the SUCRA rankings for both outcome indicators, Internal heat acupuncture was identified as having the best overall effect. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, multiple acupuncture methods exhibit significant advantages over conventional acupuncture. Comprehensive analysis indicates that Internal heat acupuncture has the most favorable therapeutic effect.