Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines

Prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis by natural products: potential mechanisms based on articular cartilage targets Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent chronic degenerative joint disorder characterized by an imbalance between articular cartilage degradation and…

🦴 Treating symptoms isn’t enough.

New research calls for a shift in KOA therapy:
🧬 early biomarker detection
🌿 multi-target natural modulators
💡 low-toxicity, mechanism-based strategies

Toward real disease-modifying treatment for osteoarthritis.

#Osteoarthritis #DMOADs #PrecisionMedicine #CJNM

🌿 CJNM Feb 2026 Issue is LIVE!
Highlights:
🦠 HIV: Gut microbiota & immune recovery
🦴 Bone: Osteoanabolic signaling
🧬 3D ICM: Paradigm for cancer therapy
🦠 Viral: TMPRSS2 G4 targeted by Berberine
🌿 Liver: New diterpenoids from Euphorbia
Full issue on ScienceDirect
#NaturalProducts #DrugDiscovery

Xijiaqi Formula attenuates cognitive dysfunction by inhibiting neuroinflammation and promoting neuroplasticity in rats with chronic heart failure Chronic heart failure (CHF) impairs cognitive function. Xijiaqi Formula (XJQ), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used clinically to treat CHF, demo…

🫀 Brain–heart connection in chronic heart failure?

A CJNM study shows that Xijiaqi Formula (XJQ) improves cognitive impairment in CHF rats by reducing neuroinflammation and enhancing synaptic plasticity.

🔗 Read the full article on ScienceDirect

#CJNM #HeartBrainAxis #Neuroinflammation

Identification and screening of bioactive peptides against nephropathy derived from Mantidis Oötheca based on complement C3 inhibition Insects represent emerging sources of bioactive peptides and functional materials. Mantidis Oötheca (Sang-Piao-Xiao in Chinese, SPX) serves as an inse…

Can insect-derived peptides protect kidneys?

CJNM research shows Mantidis Oötheca peptides inhibit complement C3.
Peptide AAQFFNR binds C3 (Kd 16.8 μM), reducing fibrosis and inflammation and improving renal function in nephropathy models.

#Nephropathy #BioactivePeptides #CJNM

Gambogic acid suppresses pancreatic fibrosis via inhibiting YAP1-mediated activation of pancreatic stellate cells The activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and the secretion of inflammatory factors play critical roles in the development of pancreatic fibr…

Can natural compounds reverse pancreatic fibrosis?

CJNM research shows gambogic acid (GA) promotes YAP1 degradation, inhibits PSC activation, reduces NF-κB / IL-6 / TNF-α, and activates the Hippo pathway — restoring tissue homeostasis in vivo.

Read more on ScienceDirect

#PancreaticFibrosis #CJNM

Atramacronins A−P, eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid dimers from Atractylodes macrocephala with anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activities Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (A. macrocephala) is a medicinal and edible plant species belonging to the Compositae family. Its rhizome serves both…

Can natural dimers fight liver cancer? 🧪

Research in CJNM identifies Atramacronins A–P, novel sesquiterpenoids from Atractylodes macrocephala with potent anti-tumor activity against Hep3B, HepG2, and Huh7 cells.

🔗 Read more on ScienceDirect

#HCC #Oncology #NaturalProducts #CJNM

New meroterpenoids featuring a rare 3/5/6/6/11/6/6 fused-ring skeleton from Penicillium brefeldianum SMU03 and their antifibrotic activities Penicine A (1), a meroterpenoid featuring a novel 3/5/6/6/11/6/6 polycyclic backbone, together with two new metabolites, penicines B (2) and C (4), an…

Renal fibrosis drives chronic kidney disease progression.

New research shows Penicine A — a structurally unique fungal meroterpenoid — suppresses fibrosis in vitro and reveals biosynthetic clues for antifibrotic drug discovery.

Read more on ScienceDirect.

#KidneyFibrosis #NaturalProducts #CJNM

Identification and screening of bioactive peptides against nephropathy derived from Mantidis Oötheca based on complement C3 inhibition Insects represent emerging sources of bioactive peptides and functional materials. Mantidis Oötheca (Sang-Piao-Xiao in Chinese, SPX) serves as an inse…

Can insect-derived peptides protect kidneys?

CJNM research shows Mantidis Oötheca peptides inhibit complement C3.
Peptide AAQFFNR binds C3 (Kd 16.8 μM), reducing fibrosis and inflammation and improving renal function in nephropathy models.

#Nephropathy #BioactivePeptides #CJNM

Gambogic acid suppresses pancreatic fibrosis via inhibiting YAP1-mediated activation of pancreatic stellate cells The activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and the secretion of inflammatory factors play critical roles in the development of pancreatic fibr…

Can natural compounds reverse pancreatic fibrosis?

CJNM research shows gambogic acid (GA) promotes YAP1 degradation, inhibits PSC activation, reduces NF-κB / IL-6 / TNF-α, and activates the Hippo pathway — restoring tissue homeostasis in vivo.

Read more on ScienceDirect

#PancreaticFibrosis #CJNM

🧧 Happy Chinese New Year — Year of the Horse!

Grateful for our worldwide research community. Wishing you a year of energy, progress, and new discoveries in science. 🐎🌿

Xijiaqi Formula attenuates cognitive dysfunction by inhibiting neuroinflammation and promoting neuroplasticity in rats with chronic heart failure Chronic heart failure (CHF) impairs cognitive function. Xijiaqi Formula (XJQ), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used clinically to treat CHF, demo…

🫀 Brain–heart connection in chronic heart failure?

A CJNM study shows that Xijiaqi Formula (XJQ) improves cognitive impairment in CHF rats by reducing neuroinflammation and enhancing synaptic plasticity.

🔗 Read the full article on ScienceDirect

#CJNM #HeartBrainAxis #Neuroinflammation

🦠🩸 Can targeting the gut microbiome help treat diabetes?

A CJNM study shows that honokiol improves metabolic outcomes in diabetic mice by enriching Akkermansia muciniphila and reshaping tryptophan metabolism.

🔗 Read full article www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

#CJNM #Diabetes #GutMicrobiome

An overview of the advantageous effects and underlying mechanisms of natural polysaccharides in inflammatory bowel disease Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the g…

🦠🧬 Can natural polysaccharides help rebalance immunity and repair the gut barrier in IBD?

A CJNM review highlights their multi-target effects on immune regulation, microbiota composition, and intestinal barrier integrity.

📘 Learn more on ScienceDirect

#CJNM #IBD #GutMicrobiome #NaturalProducts

Therapeutic potential of Ziziphora clinopodioides in cardiovascular diseases: a review Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are driven by intricate and multifactorial pathophysiological mechanisms, presenting substantial challenges for the dev…

❤️🌿 Multi-target strategies for Cardiovascular Disease

New review in CJNM explores Ziziphora clinopodioides—a traditional medicinal plant with potent vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.

📖 Read on ScienceDirect

#CVD #NaturalProducts #Ethnopharmacology #CJNM #ScienceSky

🫁🌿 Can immune regulation slow pulmonary fibrosis?
A CJNM review shows how natural products modulate immune cells and cytokines to intervene in fibrosis progression.
📘Read on ScienceDirect :
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

#CJNM #PulmonaryFibrosis #NaturalProducts

Research progress of 3-n-butylphthalide and its derivatives in combating cerebral ischemia Ischemic stroke (IS) presents a major threat to human life and health due to its high disability and mortality rates. 3-n-Butylphthalide (NBP), derive…

🧠💊 Why do so few neuroprotective drugs succeed in ischemic stroke?
A CJNM review traces 20 years of progress on 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP), from a natural product to optimized derivatives now in Phase II trials.
📘Read on ScienceDirect

#CJNM #StrokeResearch #DrugDevelopment

Effect and mechanism of Chinese medicine on inhibiting the senescence of mesenchymal stem cells Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent stem cells isolated from human tissues. Due to their strong self-renewal capacity, pluripotency, and imm…

🧬🌿 Can natural medicines rejuvenate stem cells?
A CJNM review shows that MSC senescence, a key challenge in regenerative medicine, may be delayed by Chinese herbal medicines and natural compounds.
🔗Read on ScienceDirect
#CJNM #StemCells #RegenerativeMedicine #NaturalProducts

Atractylodimers A−D, unprecedented sesquiterpenoid dimers with cage-like skeletons from Atractylodes macrocephala and their neuroprotective activities Atractylodimers A−D (1−4), sesquiterpenoid dimers (SDs) featuring a unique cage-like structure, were isolated from the rhizomes of Atractylodes macroc…

🧠🌿 Neuroprotection from nature
CJNM reports Atractylodimers A–D, unprecedented sesquiterpenoid dimers from Atractylodes macrocephala. Compounds 1–2 show significant neuroprotective activity in PC12 cells, suggesting potential for neurotherapeutic research.

#CJNM #Neuroprotection #NaturalProducts

Generation of halogenated angucyclinones with cytotoxicity activities against human cancer cell lines based on biosynthesis and chemical conversion Halogen substituents play a crucial role in the structural diversity and biological activity of natural products, and the synthesis of halogenated mol…

⚗️ New strategies in halogenated natural products!
CJNM reports a method to incorporate F, Cl, Br, and I into C-ring-cleaved angucyclinones, efficiently producing bioactive molecules for cancer research.

🔗 Read on ScienceDirect!

#CJNM #Biosynthesis #HalogenatedNaturalProducts #CancerResearch

A new phenolic acid isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza ameliorates OVA-induced allergic asthma by regulation of Th17/Treg cells and inflammation through the TLR4 pathway Salvia miltiorrhiza (S. miltiorrhiza) represents a crucial component of traditional Chinese medicine, demonstrating effects on blood circulation activ…

🫁 How does S1 act against allergic asthma?

A #CJNM study shows that this phenolic acid from Salvia miltiorrhiza suppresses mast cell activation and rebalances Th17/Treg via TLR4 signaling.

Natural products still have a lot to offer 🌿
🔗 Read full article

#Asthma #Inflammation #cjnm

DOI: 10.1016/j.cjnm.2025.100012
This study provides a comprehensive chemical and biological characterization of ircinrimane-type sesquiterpenoids from marine sponges.

Ircinrimanes A−J: ten undescribed rearranged 4,9-friedodrimane merosesquiterpenoids with cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities from the marine sponge Ircinia sp Ten previously undescribed rearranged 4,9-friedodrimane merosesquiterpenoids, designated ircinrimanes A−J (1−10), were isolated from the marine sponge…

Bioactive treasures from the sea 🌊🌿

A #CJNM study reports ircinrimane-type sesquiterpenoids from marine sponges with cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activity, highlighting marine natural products as a rich source of novel bioactive scaffolds.

🔗 Read on ScienceDirect

#MarineNaturalProducts #CJNM

Discovery based on SPR drug chip that corilagin alleviates acute lung injury in mice by inhibiting necroptosis through targeting RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL pathway Necroptosis, a necrotic form of regulated cell death, plays a crucial role in various tissues and disorders, including sepsis. This process occurs pri…

🌿 Corilagin & Acute Lung Injury

A new #CJNM study shows that corilagin reduces lung inflammation by inhibiting RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL-mediated necroptosis and restoring mitochondrial integrity in mouse models.

🔗 Read full article on ScienceDirect

#AcuteLungInjury #Necroptosis #NaturalMedicine #CJNM

Exploring the kidney-tonifying effect of Qi-Xian decoction for asthma treatment by modulating the proliferation and migration of endogenous BMSCs Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) establishes that the kidney serves vital systemic functions and its deficiency represents a fundamental factor infl…

🫁 Qi-Xian Decoction (QXD) in asthma

A new #CJNM study shows QXD promotes BMSC proliferation and lung migration, reduces airway inflammation, and restores epithelial integrity. 🧬

🔗 Read on ScienceDirect
#Asthma #StemCells #NaturalMedicine #CJNM

🌿 Epimedium Herba targets prostate cancer through multiple pathways.

A #CJNM study shows it inhibits cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, supported by network pharmacology and in vitro validation.

🔗 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

#CJNM #NaturalProducts #DrugDiscovery

Protective mechanisms of Qingda granule in hypertensive kidney injury: Focus on ERK/RSK1-mediated mitochondrial protection Hypertension represents a significant chronic non-infectious disease in China, where Qingda Granule (QDG) has traditionally been employed for its mana…

🫀 Can Qingda Granule protect kidneys in hypertension?

A #CJNM study shows it preserves mitochondrial function and reduces renal cell apoptosis in hypertensive models.

🔬 Mechanistic insights into mitochondrial protection.

#Hypertension #KidneyDisease #CJNM

AMPK regulates the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects of tracheloside Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) presents limited therapeutic options that often involve severe side effects, making the development of innovative …

🫁 Can Tracheloside (TCL) slow pulmonary fibrosis?

A #CJNM study shows TCL activates AMPK, suppresses fibroblast differentiation, and reduces oxidative stress—a potential lead for IPF treatment. 🔬
🔗 Read it on ScienceDirect
#PulmonaryFibrosis #AMPK #NaturalProducts #CJNM

🌊 Marine Terpenoids: Nature’s Treasure

New #CJNM review catalogs 13,000+ compounds, revealing unique molecular scaffolds distinct from land plants. 🧬

Insights for next-gen drug discovery! 💊
🔗 sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1875536425000263

#MarineBiology #DrugDiscovery #CJNM

🦴 Why is cartilage injury still so hard to treat?

A CJNM review summarizes how bioactive compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine may regulate inflammation and cartilage repair 🌿🧬

🔗 Full article:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

#CJNM #CartilageInjury #TCM #RegenerativeMedicine

💡 Read our latest issue on ScienceDirect:: www.sciencedirect.com/journal/chin...

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