The study aimed to elucidate the effective chemical composition and molecular mechanism of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment with Jishe Qushi capsules (JSQS) and perform clinical validation. The effective chemical components were screened by a database. We used Cytoscape software to construct the key target-RA composite target network of JSQS. Gene Ontology biofunctional analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed for the key targets, followed by molecular docking validation of core key targets. Ninety-nine patients chosen were divided into 49 cases in the treatment group and 50 cases in the control group according to the random number table method. The control group was treated with the combination of methotrexate (MTX) plus Glucosidorum Tripterygll Totorum. The treatment group was treated with MTX plus JSQS. The treatment effects of the 2 groups were evaluated. A total of 118 key anti-RA targets were obtained for JSQS. Quercetin in Panax notoginseng, vanillic acid, scopoletin, physcion in Gardneria angustifolia, 3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde in Zaocys dhumnades, kaempferol in Radix Paeoniae Alba, and protocatechuic aldehyde in Cibotium barometz were the main active chemical components in the composite target network. Topology analysis yields core key targets, such as TP53, INS, IL6, VEGFA, MYC, CASP3, ESR1, EGF, CCND1, PPARG, ERBB2, NFKBIA, TLR4, RELA, and CASP8, and the results of KEGG enrichment analysis showed that JSQS mainly works through pathways in cancer, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinaseRAC–serine/threonine-protein kinase signaling, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator signaling pathway. Molecular docking results showed that the binding fraction of PPARG, VEGFA and the effective active ingredients of ridged snake dispelling capsule was >70. In the clinical trial, morning stiffness, joint pain, and VAS scores of post-treatment in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P < .05). Additionally, ESR, CRP, RF, anti-CCP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, and Th17/Treg were lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P < .05). JSQS exert multicomponent, multipathway, and multitarget synergistic actions in RA treatment. It can significantly improve the clinical symptoms and quality of life and delay the progression of RA disease.

DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic mechanism that modifies the epigenome without altering the DNA sequence, leading to heritable changes in gene expression and playing a vital role in biological processes. The regulation of DNA methylation has gained significant attention in recent years for its role in inflammatory diseases, with numerous studies indicating a correlation between abnormal gene methylation and disease development. However, current research on mature methylation-regulation drugs remains in its infancy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been demonstrated to have a potential therapeutic effect in treating inflammatory diseases by modulating DNA methylation. In this review, we provide an overview of how DNA methylation participates in inflammatory diseases and how TCM assesses its function in regulating DNA methylation modifications. We aim to demonstrate a theoretical foundation for further research on the therapeutic targets and mechanisms of TCM in inflammatory disease treatment.

Aim. Traditionally, C. sappan medicine was the heartwood, which needs to be cut down as a whole. In this research, the antitumor activity and mechanisms of the leaves and stems were compared with the roots of Caesalpinia sappan; it was in order to investigate whether stems and leaves of C. sappan could be used to replace heartwood for antitumor treatment, thereby reducing resource destruction. Methods. MTT assays were used to identify the active sites of C. sappan based on the application of human liver cancer (HuH-7) cells. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyze polar extracts. We also established a H22 hepatoma-bearing mouse model by administering intraperitoneal injections of petroleum ether extracts from the leaves and stems (SY②) at doses of 20 and 65 mg/kg. Mice in the i.g. group were administered intragastrically with the same extracts (at doses of 100 and 325 mg/kg) at the same time (12 days). Results. The antitumor site of C. sappan was the petroleum ether extract. The IC₅₀ for the petroleum ether extract of roots (SG②) was 56.10 μg/ml, while that for the leaves and stems (SY②) was 77.20 μg/ml. Grey relational analysis indicated 11 active fraction peaks that were closely related to antitumor activity. The size of tumors in H22 hepatoma-bearing mice was reduced significantly in mice administered with petroleum ether extracts from the leaves and stems (inhibition rates of high doses were 55.31% and 60.56%). Fibrous tissue proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, tumor cell necrosis, and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were all lower than in the control group (VEGF < 0.001 and PCNA < 0.05). Conclusion. Petroleum ether extracts of the roots, leaves, and stems of C. sappan exhibit certain antitumor effects. Our data indicate that the mechanisms underlying these effects may relate to a reduction in the expression of PCNA and VEGF and the inhibition of angiogenesis. Our findings indicate that we can expand the medicinal use of C. sappan to the leaves and stems, thus improving resource utilization and reducing resource damage.

Miao medicine Tiekuaizi (Radix Chimonanthi) has been successfully used by Guizhou Miao ethnic physicians in clinical treatments, demonstrating significant curative effects. The research progress on the resource distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Tiekuaizi was reviewed by collecting related literature from traditional Chinese medicine books and various databases. Based on the comprehensive review and centered around the principles of traditional Chinese medicine quality marker (Q-Marker) theory, nine secondary metabolites (scopoletin, scopolin, isofraxidin, fraxin, scoparone, calycanthoside, 6, 7, 8-trimethoxycoumarin, tomenin, and calycanthine) are suggested as potential Q-markers for Tiekuaizi to establish quality control standards. This can provide a valuable reference for the collection and processing, pharmaceutical production, and effectiveness and safety of clinical applications of Miao medicine Tiekuaizi.