Objective: To explore the association between vitamin A (vit A) status and risk of asthma.Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and the Cochrane Library were electronically searched to identify related studies that reported the association between vit A status and asthma. All databases were searched from inception to November 2022. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed risk bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was performed on R software Version 4.1.2 and STATA Version 12.0.Results: A total of 19 observational studies were included. A pooled analysis showed that the serum vit A concentrations in patients with asthma was lower than that in healthy controls (standard mean difference (SMD)= −2.479, 95% confidence interval (CI): −3.719, −.239, 95% prediction interval (PI): −7.510, 2.552), and relatively higher vit A intake in pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of asthma at age 7 years (risk ratio (RR)= 1.181, 95% CI: 1.048, 1.331). No significant correlation was observed between serum vit A levels or vit A intake and the risk of asthma.Conclusion: Our meta-analysis confirms that serum vit A levels are lower in patients with asthma than in healthy controls. Relatively higher vit A intake during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of asthma at age 7 years. There is no significant correlation between vit A intake and asthma risk in children, nor between serum vit A levels and asthma risk. The effect of vit A may depend on age or developmental stage, diet and genetics. Therefore, further studies are needed to explore the association of vit A and asthma.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/CRD42022358930, identifier CRD42022358930

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), a cognitive disorder arising from cerebrovascular pathology, currently lacks effective targeted therapies. Dysfunction of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) represents a pivotal event in VCI pathogenesis, characterized by tight junction degradation, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Phytochemicals—including polyphenols, flavonoids, and polysaccharides—demonstrate promising multi-target potential in ameliorating VCI by preserving BBB integrity, mitigating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, exerting neuroprotective effects, and modulating the gut–brain axis. However, the clinical translation of these compounds is currently impeded by low bioavailability and limited BBB permeability. Prioritizing the development of targeted delivery systems is essential to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and clinical utility of phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment of VCI.

Aim of the work: This review aims to systematically integrate the mechanism of action of Astragalus membranaceus and its active components on central nervous system(CNS) diseases, with a focus on exploring its therapeutic potential, and introducing related health food products that use it as an adjunct treatment for CNS diseases.Materials and methods: Searches were conducted through the PubMed and Web of Science databases using the keywords "Astragalus membranaceus", "Astragali Radix", "Astragaloside IV (AS-IV)", "Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharides (APS)" and "CNS diseases". Reports on the effects of Astragalus membranaceus and its components on CNS diseases were identified and reviewed.Results: This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest research advancements concerning Astragalus membranaceus across several pivotal domains, including its extensive historical usage, active constituents, pharmacological properties, potential therapeutic applications for CNS disorders, safety profile, contemporary formulations, and significant findings in the realm of health food applications. The medicinal history of Astragalus membranaceus membranaceus is both long-standing and profound, with usage spanning over 2,000 years. Its active components, such as AS-IV and APS, have demonstrated considerable therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of CNS diseases. The pharmacological effects of Astragalus membranaceus membranaceus are diverse, encompassing anti-neuroinflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, anti-apoptotic activities, modulation of autophagy, anti-ferroptotic effects, and protection of the blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, the practical applications of Astragalus membranaceus extend beyond the medical field, encompassing modern pharmaceutical preparations and health food products, among other areas. Despite the promising potential of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of CNS diseases, numerous challenges persist in the comprehensive investigation of its pharmacological mechanisms and the standardization of its quality. Nonetheless, Astragalus membranaceus occupies an essential and significant role in the management of CNS disorders and is anticipated to have an increasingly prominent impact in related fields in the future.Conclusion: Astragalus membranaceus has emerged as a promising pharmacological agent in the global health sector, attributed to its notable efficacy in addressing CNS disorders. Combining traditional knowledge with innovative research and based on the concept of "homology of medicine and food", the application of Astragalus membranaceus as an auxiliary therapy in the field of health food fully leverages its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, which is an important direction for future research.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by synovial, cartilage, and bone damage. Emerging research evidence has linked its pathogenesis to ferroptosis, arachidonic acid (ARA) metabolism, and lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation serves as the final executor of ferroptosis, and arachidonate lipoxygenase (ALOX)–mediated oxidative reactions enzymatically promote lipid peroxidation. Moxibustion (MOX), a traditional therapeutic modality in Chinese medicine, has demonstrated significant efficacy in our study. Specifically, MOX applied at the Zusanli (ST36) and Shenshu (BL23) acupoints effectively ameliorated paw swelling in Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA)–induced RA model rats, significantly reduced arthritis scores, and corrected ARA metabolic dysregulation. Furthermore, MOX treatment markedly decreased the expression levels of arachidonate 15‐lipoxygenase (ALOX15), acyl‐CoA synthetase long‐chain family member 4 (ACSL4), lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 (LPCAT3), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the synovial tissues of RA model rats while increasing the expression of ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Serum analyses revealed significant reductions in malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid peroxide (LPO), interleukin‐12 (IL‐12), and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) levels, alongside elevated glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. The underlying mechanism involves the modulation of ALOX15‐mediated lipid peroxidation to inhibit ferroptosis, thereby alleviating RA‐associated inflammatory damage. These findings highlight the substantial therapeutic potential of MOX in mitigating RA‐related inflammation and provide a novel theoretical basis for its clinical application in RA management.