Plant-derived inducers in tumor differentiation therapy:A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Differentiation therapy, a highly regarded treatment method in tumor research, aims to induce tumor cells to differentiate back to normal cells, deviating from the malignant pathway and returning to a benign state. Its development relies on the continuous discovery of efficient and low-toxic differentiation inducers, including plant-derived active components that offer significant biological utilization and therapeutic potential. For this reason, the exploration of plant-derived inducers, particularly in their application in differentiation therapy, holds great promise in advancing cancer treatment strategies toward more effective and safer alternatives. PURPOSE: This paper aims to provide a valuable reference for researchers seeking to identify natural, efficient, and low-toxic differentiation inducers from plants and highlights a promising research direction for the application of differentiation therapy in malignant tumor treatment. METHODS: For the collection of pertinent information, an extensive search was conducted across diverse literature and electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, ACS, CNKI, Springer, Taylor & Francis, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Baidu Scholar. This comprehensive approach aimed to retrieve and include all relevant literature from 1985 to 2023. Primary keywords such as "Natural medicinal plant," "Differentiation therapy," and "Differentiation inducer" were utilized, supplemented by secondary search terms including "Cancer," "Tumor," "Herbal medicine," "Induced differentiation," and "Cancer treatment." RESULTS: This study systematically evaluated the application of plant-derived inducers in tumor-induced differentiation therapy. Through extensive literature review, specific plant components with confirmed differentiation-inducing properties were identified. Furthermore, potential molecular mechanisms underlying this process were outlined, shedding light on the future development of differentiation therapy in cancer treatment. CONCLUSION: Plant-derived active components exhibit substantial biological utility and therapeutic potential. Delving deeper into the research on these components as differentiation inducers holds promise for the selection of novel cancer drugs and the unveiling of novel pathways for cancer treatment. These results emphasize the importance of continued exploration and in-depth research into natural, efficient, and low-toxic differentiation inducers from plants, which could significantly advance cancer treatment strategies. Moreover, the highlighted research direction underscores the relevance of differentiation therapy in the context of malignant tumor treatment, indicating its potential as a safer and more effective alternative in cancer therapy.

Celosia cristata L.: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and quality control, along with network pharmacological analysis of its components and targets.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Celosia cristata L. (C. cristata) is a widely used herb in China and has been used as a medicine for more than 1000 years. The herb has been clinically employed to treat various types of bleeding disorders including metrorrhagia, metrostaxis, and leukorrheal diseases, gastrointestinal infections. AIM OF THE STUDY: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of C. cristata, encompassing its botany, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, safety, and quality control. Additionally, it delves into the prevailing challenges and limitations with contemporary research concerning C. cristata, thus furnishing valuable insights for future investigations in this domain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Research data were gathered from authoritative sources including the Pharmacopoeia of China, the Flora of China, as well as various internet databases such as Web of Science, CAS CiFinder, PubMed, Science Direct, and CNKI, along with numerous ancient classics on Chinese herbal medicine. RESULTS: Clinical applications of C. cristata demonstrate its efficacy in treating dysfunctional uterine bleeding, vaginitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Presently, seventy-seven compounds have been isolated, including flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, organic acids, phenylpropanoids, and alkaloids, with flavonoids and triterpenoids emerging as the primary bioactive constituents. Pharmacological studies reveal its diverse biological activities, such as haemostatic, antitrichomonal, antibacterial, antiviral, analgesic, immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant effects. Leveraging network pharmacology, researchers have embarked on preliminary inquiries into the interplay among chemical constituents, molecular targets and pathological conditions. CONCLUSIONS: C. cristata shows significant potential for use in hemostasis, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial treatments. Modern research has revealed its diverse chemical composition and pharmacological activities, making it highly valuable for further study. At the same time, it is necessary to find the characteristic components of C. cristata and establish better quality control standards to better explore its therapeutic potential.

Chinese endemic medicinal plant Bolbostemma paniculatum (Maxim.) Franquet: A comprehensive review.

Bolbostemma paniculatum (Maxim.) Franquet is a unique species in China with a long history of medicinal use, which has the effects of detoxifying, dissolving lumps and dispersing swellings. And it is commonly used to treat many diseases, such as carbuncle and sore, acute mastitis, mammary cancer, scrofula and subcutaneous nodule traditionally. Modern clinical studies have found that B. paniculatum and its compounds can be used for the treatment of a variety of cancers, mastitis, hyperplasia of mammary glands, chronic lymphadenitis, cervical lymph tuberculosis and surgical wart skin diseases, and the curative effect is positive. At present, a variety of Chinese patent medicines containing B. paniculatum have been exploited and marketed in China for the treatment of cancers, breast diseases and flat warts. This review article comprehensively discussed the traditional application, botany, chemical components, pharmacological activities, and quality control of B. paniculatum, put forward some noteworthy issues and suggestions in current studies, and briefly discussed the possible development potential of this plant as well as future research perspectives. 96 compounds have been isolated from B. paniculatum, including triterpenoids, sterols, alkaloids and other components, of which triterpenoid saponins are the main bioactive components. The crude extracts and monomer compounds of B. paniculatum have a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and so on. Moreover, its anti-tumor mechanism involves many aspects, including inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting cell apoptosis, blocking the cell cycle, interfering with cell invasion and metastasis, suppressing angiogenesis, and regulating autophagy. While there is a lack of systematic and in-depth research on its anti-tumor active components and mechanism of action at the moment; and a tight connection between the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of B. paniculatum has also not been established. Besides, a systematic quality determination standard for B. paniculatum should also be built, in order to carry out further research.

Pyrolae herba: A review on its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and quality control.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pyrolae herba is the dried whole plant of Pyrola calliantha H. Andres or Pyrola decorata H. Andres (Pyrolaceae). Pyrolae herba has a long history of medicinal use in China. In ancient times, it was often used to treat pain in tendons and bones, swollen sore, cough, expectoration, bleeding, and other diseases. and was commonly used in ancient times to treat pain in the tendons and bones, swollen sore, cough, expectoration, bleeding and other diseases. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This paper summarizes the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control and toxicology of Pyrolae herba, with a view to providing reference for further development and research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relevant information on Pyrolae herba was collected from the scientific databases including PubMed, CNKI, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Springer, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China and Flora Republicae Popularis Sinicae, etc. RESULTS: At present, more than 70 compounds have been identified from Pyrolae herba, including flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, quinones, terpenoids, volatile oils and other compounds. Pharmacological studies have shown that Pyrolae herba has a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, reducing blood lipids, protective on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, promoting osteoblast proliferation, and so on. It is used clinically in modern times to treat rheumatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bone hyperplasia, sciatica, cervical spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis, acute and chronic bronchitis, mammary gland hyperplasia, tumor, hypertension, coronary heart disease and bleeding diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Pyrolae herba is rich in chemical constituents, diverse in pharmacological activities and abundant in resources, which is widely used in clinics from traditional to modern. However, there is a lack of research on the relationship between chemical constituents and pharmacodynamics of Pyrolae herba. In addition, the existing clinical applications suggest that Pyrolae herba has a certain therapeutic potential in the treatment of hemorrhagic diseases, but there is a lack of information on experimental studies. It is worthwhile to further investigate the Pyrolae herba in depth in the hope of making discoveries and breakthroughs.

Geranium wilfordii maxim.: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control and toxicology.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Geranium wilfordii Maxim. (family Geraniaceae) has been used as a multifunctional ethnomedicine in China for more than 600 years. There have been records about the edible and medicinal use of G.wilfordii since the Ming Dynasty. Nowadays, G.wilfordii is included in Chinese Pharmacopoeia as the Geranii Herba, and has been widely used to treat rheumatism, infectious diseases, dermatosis and tumors. In addition, more than 30 kinds of Chinese patent medicines containing G.wilfordii have been marketed in China for its high medicinal value. AIM OF THE REVIEW: The present review systematically summarized the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control and toxicology of G.wilfordii, discussed the development potential of this plant and analyzed the shortcomings of existing research, in order to provide comprehensive scientific basis for the medical application and help interested researchers discover safe and medicinal natural products from G.wilfordii. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a systematic search of G.wilfordii by collecting the publications between 1995 and 2021 via PubMed, Web of Science, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database, Wanfang database and other databases using the keywords including Geranium wilfordii Maxim., botany, traditional uses, Chinese patent medicines, patents, preparations, phytochemistry, biological activity, quality and toxicity. Besides, part of the information also came from Chinese botanical and medical monographs. RESULTS: So far, more than 90 components have been identified from G.wilfordii, among which tannins as well as flavonoids have attracted widespread concerns. Due to the multi-components nature, a wide range of beneficial biological activities of G.wilfordii have been demonstrated, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-tumor, antioxidative, hepatoprotective, gastrointestinal protective, immunoregulatory and uric acid-lowering effects. CONCLUSION: A long history of traditional uses and abundant pharmacochemical and pharmacological studies have shown that G.wilfordii is an important natural medicine, which exerts outstanding therapeutic effects especially in anti-inflammation and anti-microorganisms. However, the present researches on the active ingredients and the mechanism of action are not in-depth enough, and more evidence-based scientific studies are needed to lend credence to the traditional uses of G.wilfordii. Additionally, limited toxicology tests cannot objectively evaluate the safety of G.wilfordii, which needs to be further supplemented. Further, more attention needs to be paid to the selection of index components of quality control research.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of medicinal genus Aralia: A review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aralia, which belongs to Araliaceae family, is mainly distributed in Asia, such as China, Japan and South Korea. It has a long medicinal history and is widely used in the treatment of various diseases, such as hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, bruises, lumps and carbuncles. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this review is to systematically evaluate the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of main medicinal plants of Aralia, discusses the application of ethnic medicine, modern scientific research and the relationship between them, and put forward some suggestions to promote the further development and utilization of Aralia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relevant information on Aralia was collected through electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Springer, CNKI and Wanfang), Chinese herbal classics, Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations, Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Plant names were verified by "The Plant List" (http://www.theplantlist.org). The literature cited in this review can be traced back to 1878 to 2021. RESULTS: More than 290 chemical constituents have been isolated from the genus Aralia, including triterpenoid saponins, terpenoids, organic acids, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, phenylpropanoids and other constituents. Pharmacological studies have shown that the extracts and compounds of Aralia have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammation, analgesic, anti-tumor, liver protection, protection of cardiovascular and nervous system, regulating substance metabolism, antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidation. CONCLUSIONS: The genus Aralia is not only an excellent traditional herbal medicine, but also a source of bioactive molecules with good application prospects. However, the structure-activity relationship, in vivo activity and action mechanism of its bioactive components need to be further studied. In addition, more toxicological and quality control studies are essential to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Aralia as medicine.

A review of Cremastra appendiculata (D.Don) Makino as a traditional herbal medicine and its main components.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cremastra appendiculata (D.Don) Makino is a herbal medicine with a medicinal history of more than a thousand years in China. It is traditionally used to treat carbuncle, swelling, abscess, fistula, scrofula and scleroma (related to modern lymph node enlargement and various tumors.). AIM OF THE REVIEW: This paper comprehensively reviewed the botany, traditional application, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and quality control of C. appendiculata, discussesed the application of ethnic medicine, modern scientific research and the relationship between them, and put forward some suggestions to promote the further development and utilization of C. appendiculata. We hope to provide a valuable reference for all researchers who are interested in obtaining relevant information about C. appendiculata. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relevant information on C. appendiculata was collected through published materials and electronic databases, including ancient and modern books, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Ph.D. and M. Sc. dissertations, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, ACS, CNKI, Springer, Taylor & Francis, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Baidu Scholar. RESULTS: At present, 190 compounds have been isolated from C. appendiculata, including phenanthrene, dihydrophenanthrene, bibenzyl, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, aromatics, and other compounds. These compounds have been reported to have a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-angiogenesis, anti-oxidation, etc. Modern pharmacological studies have proved that C. appendiculata has significant anti-tumor activity and has a good therapeutic effect on liver cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer and other malignant tumors. CONCLUSIONS: C. appendiculata is not only an excellent traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of tumors, but also a source of bioactive molecules with good application prospects. At present, the close relationship between the chemical components and pharmacological activities of C. appendiculata has not been established, and there is a lack of systematic and in-depth research on its anti-tumor components and its mechanism. In addition, it is necessary to establish systematic and effective index components and determination standards of C. appendiculata to better explore its therapeutic potential. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out further research on C. appendiculata.

The Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai, a Chinese Herb With Potential for Development: Review.

Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai is a folk medicine with a long history in China, which has been applied to treat sore throat, abscess, even tumor and so on. Meanwhile, it is also used as tea in some areas. At present, more than 200 chemical compounds have been isolated and identified from it, such as, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins and so on. Pharmacological studies have already confirmed that the extracts of S. glabra have many effects, such as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-thrombocytopenia, especially the effects of anti-tumor and anti-thrombocytopenia are confirmed in clinic. Therefore, this paper systematically summarized the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of S. glabra, in order to provide a beneficial reference of its further research.

Polygonum perfoliatum L., an Excellent Herbal Medicine Widely Used in China: A Review.

Polygonum perfoliatum L. (synonym: Polygonum knotweed L.; Persicaria perfoliata; family: Polygonaceae) is a kind of folk traditional Chinese medicine with a long history of wide use in the treatment of ancient internal, surgical, and gynecological diseases. At present, 80 chemical constituents have been isolated from P. perfoliatum, including flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenoids, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids, and alkaloids, among which flavonoids are the main active components. Modern studies have shown that P. perfoliatum has pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiviral, anti-liver fibrosis, antitussive and expectorant, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, and so on. By consulting and sorting out a large number of related literatures at home and abroad in recent years, this paper systematically reviewed the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and quality control of P. perfoliatum, and discussed its development potential in new drug research and clinical application in the future, in order to provide a reference basis for further research and promote the in-depth development and utilization.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Persicaria orientalis (L.) Spach - A review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Persicaria orientalis (L.) Spach (internationally accepted and only valid name; synonym: Polygonum orientale L.; family: Polygonaceae), which is named Hongcao in China, is a Chinese herbal medicine that has a wide range of pharmacological effects including treatment to rheumatoid arthritis, coronary heart disease, hernia, carbuncle sore, enhance immunity, antimicrobial, osteogenic and dilated bronchiectasis. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: This review aims to provide systematically organized information on traditional uses of Persicaria orientalis (L.) Spach (P. orientalis) and to critically analyze evidences in phytotherapeutic, botanical, and pharmacological literatures that support its therapeutic potential in treatment to human diseases. Isolation of additional compounds and detailed pharmacological investigations are key areas to investigate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant information on P. orientalis was collected through published scientific materials (including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, ACS, CNKI, Scifinder, Springer, Taylor & Francis, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Baidu Scholar) and other literature sources (e.g., Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2015 edition, Chinese herbal classic books and PhD and MSc thesis, etc.). RESULTS: Traditional uses were compiled in this review, including classic prescriptions and historical applications. Approximately 70 compounds, mainly including flavonoids, phenolics, lignans, limonoids and steroids, have been isolated and identified from P. orientalis. Among them, flavonoids were main components. Crude extracts and pure compounds isolated from P. orientalis exhibited various pharmacological activities, such as protection against ischemia and hypoxia-induced myocardial cells and hypoxia/reoxygenation cardiomyocyte, increase the blood flow in myocardium, expanding bronchus, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, and antithrombotic effects and so on. CONCLUSIONS: P. orientalis is a valuable source with therapeutic potential on a wide range of diseases especially cardiovascular-system disorders. Though most traditional uses of P. orientalis are supported by in vitro/vivo pharmacological studies, however, there is still a lack of researches on active pharmacodynamic ingredients as well as in-depth and in-vivo mechanistic studies. Therefore, isolation and identification of more active compounds (especially flavonoids), their structure-activity relationship and studies on pharmacodynamic mechanisms by more elaborative in-vivo studies on P. orientalis may be focused on in order to confirm efficacy of reported therapeutic effects of P. orientalis and help explore it's therapeutic potentials. Furthermore, research designs of pharmacological studies based on traditional uses of anti-rheumatoid arthritis through cell lines and animal models should also be considered as key research topics.

[Effects of salidroside on bone marrow matrix metalloproteinases of bone marrow depressed anemic mice].

To examine the effect of salidroside on the expression and activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in bone marrow (BM) of BM depressed anemic mice by immunohistochemistry and gelatin zymography respectively, and to explore its roles in hematopoietic regulation. Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 of bone marrow cells (BMCs) was found in each group. Compared with control group, the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was obviously increased in the model group, low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose salidroside. At day 4 after treatment of radiation and chemotherapy, the peak of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was found in middle-dose salidroside . At day 8 after treatment of radiation and chemotherapy, the peak of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was found in low-dose and middle-dose salidroside respectively. Gelatin zymography revealed that 66 kD proMMP-2, 62 kD MMP-2, 86 kD MMP-9 and 94 kD proMMP-9 were detected in control group, and the activity of MMP-9 was stronger among them. After treatment of radiation and chemotherapy, the activity of gelatinases of hemopoietic microenviroment (HM) was obviously decreased, but low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose salidroside could significantly increase the activities of proMMP-9 and MMP-9, attenuate the activity of proMMP-2. These results suggest that salidroside could promote the recovery of hematopoietic function of BM depressed anemic mice by increasing the expression and activity of MMPs, releasing the cytokines from ECM or cell membrane, repairing impaired microvessels of HM and promotion proliferation, migration and differentiation of HSCs.