Background: Alpiniae oxyphyllae-Saposhnikovia divaricata (AS), a traditional Chinese dietary supplement, exhibits potential therapeutic effects against diabetic kidney disease (DKD), though its active compounds and mechanisms require elucidation. Methods: Animal experiments integrated with UHPLC-QE-MS, bioinformatics, and experimental validation were employed to investigate AS’s pharmacodynamic basis against DKD. Results: Thirty-nine compounds were identified in AS, including four key flavonoids (daidzein, kaempferol, tectoridin, baicalin). Bioinformatics screening revealed 516 potential AS targets from PubChem/TCMSP/ETCM databases. Analysis of the GEO dataset (GSE30529) identified 482 DKD-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Venny 2.1 analysis yielded 42 co-DEGs and 6 co-core DEGs. Functional enrichment (GO/KEGG/GSEA) demonstrated AS’s modulation of apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) pathways via these DEGs. ROC profiling and renal single-cell sequencing highlighted FOS as a specific regulator of podocyte apoptosis in DKD. Molecular docking confirmed stable binding between the four flavonoids and FOS. Experimentally, AS significantly suppressed expression of ECM-related proteins (Col-IV, LN, IL-6, IL-17) and pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax, Caspase-3), while restoring anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 levels and inhibiting phosphorylation of MEK4, JNK1, c-Jun, and FOS in DKD mice. Conclusion: This study elucidates that AS alleviates DKD by inhibiting the MAPK/FOS pathway, thereby attenuating podocyte apoptosis and ECM accumulation. These findings establish a foundation for targeted AS therapy in DKD.

Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merr is a substance exhibiting medicine–food homology (MFH), commonly used in China. However, the antioxidant and anti-aging effects of paederoside (PSG) have not been thoroughly investigated; therefore, in this study, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was treated with PSG to investigate these effects. We found that 50, 80, and 100 μg/mL of PSG could prolong the lifespan of C. elegans, and administration of 100 μg/mL PSG significantly reduced the accumulation of lipofuscin. Under conditions of oxidative stress, RT-qPCR analysis revealed that PSG treatment significantly up-regulated the expression of key antioxidant gene skn-1 and longevity-associated gene daf-16. In addition, PSG increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT and reduced the level of MDA. When DAF-2 activity is reduced or inhibited in C. elegans, DAF-16 and SKN-1 are activated and translocate to the nucleus to promote stress resistance and prolong lifespan. Finally, by utilizing HeLa cell models, we demonstrated that the core component of Paederia scandens, PSG, promotes targeted degradation of IGF1R through the ubiquitin–proteasome system. Our results suggest that feeding C. elegans PSG is effective in extending this organism’s lifespan by improving oxidative stress resistance; thus, PSG has significant potential for development as an anti-aging food product and drug.

Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei), is a life-threatening tropical infection that is frequently underdiagnosed because of its heterogeneous and nonspecific clinical presentation. We report a critically ill patient from an endemic area who developed fulminant pneumonia that progressed to septic shock and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Despite empirical broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, respiratory failure worsened, prompting early etiologic investigation with metagenomic next-generation sequencing, which identified B. pseudomallei and was subsequently confirmed by culture. The patient required early venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for refractory hypoxemia. Management included a targeted antimicrobial therapy in accordance with current guidelines and CT-guided drainage of a pulmonary abscess as definitive source control. The patient achieved full recovery without recurrence at follow-up. Early identification of the causative pathogen and timely source control were central to the management of melioidosis-associated severe ARDS. Advanced supportive measures, including ECMO, may be considered in selected patients with refractory hypoxemia as part of management involving multiple specialties.