Background and objectives: With the highest incidence rate and death rate among malignant tumors, lung cancer is the most prevalent malignant tumor worldwide. Tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging provides a basis for clinical therapy and prognosis while the fundamental principle of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the syndrome differentiation and treatment. This study offers an objective foundation for the distinction and classification of TCM syndromes by methodically assessing the relationship between TNM staging indicators and the various types of the syndrome in lung cancer.

Methods: To find pertinent material, we searched a number of databases, including CNKI, PubMed, VIP, and Wanfang. Literature on the relationship between TCM syndrome categories and TNM staging indexes of lung cancer published from the database’s inception until May 2023 was gathered. The meta-analysis was carried out using Rev Man 5.4.

Results: In the end, seven pieces of literature totaling 264 patients were included. Lung cancer is mainly characterized by phlegm dampness syndrome, Qi Yin deficiency syndrome, Yin deficiency internal heat syndrome, and Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. In stage I and II, phlegm dampness syndrome > Yin deficiency internal heat syndrome (p < 0.5), phlegm dampness syndrome > Qi Yin deficiency syndrome (p < 0.5), phlegm dampness syndrome > Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome (p < 0.5). In stages III and IV, Qi Yin deficiency syndrome > Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome > Yin deficiency internal heat syndrome > phlegm dampness syndrome (p < 0.5).

Conclusion: Phlegm dampness syndrome is the main syndrome in stages I and II of lung cancer, while Qi and Yin deficiency syndromes are the main syndromes in stages III and IV of lung cancer.

Eurotium cristatum (E. cristatum), commonly known as “golden flower”, is the dominant strain in the microbial fermentation process of Fu brick tea. E. cristatum has favorable biological characteristics, including enzyme production, antimicrobial properties, immune regulation, antitumor properties, fat reduction capabilities, and weight loss benefits. With its probiotic characteristics, E. cristatum can be combined with different varieties of tea substrates to make a variety of fermented teas. More importantly, in the process of tea fermentation, E. cristatum can secrete a variety of extracellular enzymes, including some hydrolytic enzymes and oxidoreductases. They metabolize and transform various chemical components in tea through a series of reactions such as oxidation, degradation, and condensation, which significantly affect the quality of tea. In this review, by summarizing its basic functional characteristics as well as its application in fermented tea, an in-depth analysis of the key problems existing in the fermentation application of E. cristatum is described and some beneficial suggestions are presented in order to provide a rich theoretical basis for the development and utilization of E. cristatum to a greater extent.

Coptis teeta Wall. (C. teeta) is a herb that goes by the name “Mishmi Tita”, and holds significant value as a medicinal plant for treating various health conditions. This endangered plant, listed in the Red Data Book, is commonly found in India, Nepal, Bhutan and China. The present review aims to comprehensively summarize the traditional, pharmaceutical, and phytochemical aspects of C. teeta, providing a foundation for researchers to explore this endangered plant, and take bold steps to conserve, cultivate, and promote awareness among local people. A thorough literature search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, Research Gate, SciFinder, and the ISI Web of Knowledge, using the following terms: “Coptis teeta”, “Coptis teeta Wall.”, “Mishmi tita”, “Rhizoma coptidis”, “Chinese medicine from Coptis teeta”, and “Traditional uses of Coptis teeta”. A comprehensive examination of 69 articles published between 1982 and 2023 was conducted to explore the properties and traditional applications of C. teeta. It was found that this plant and its active compounds exhibit a range of effects, such as fighting against microbes, alleviating diarrhoea, lowering blood pressure, regulating heart rhythm, reducing inflammation, improving mood, treating trachoma, managing diabetes, providing pain relief, and countering reactions. A total of 27 compounds were identified in different parts of this plant, according to the surveyed literature. These have been traditionally utilized to address ailments, including conditions, eye disorders, skin issues, gastrointestinal troubles like constipation and jaundice, and urinary disorders. Furthermore, these have shown potential in cancer treatment and mitigating inflammation. C. teeta boasts diverse traditional uses and promising pharmacological activities due to its rich chemical composition. Berberine is the main constituent, and various communities utilize it for various ailments. While endangered, C. teeta offers exciting medicinal potential, warranting further research and sustainable conservation efforts. Cultivating the plant and raising public awareness are crucial steps towards its preservation.

This review explores the convergence of traditional wisdom and modern science in the realm of herbal medicines, focusing on the safety, efficacy, and bioactivity of these natural remedies in contemporary healthcare. The rich history of herbal medicines, deeply embedded in cultural traditions, is witnessing a resurgence as the quest for holistic and personalized healthcare gains momentum. Herbal medicine, a time-honored practice passed down through generations, is experiencing renewed interest amid the growing acknowledgment of its potential benefits. This review delves into the safety profiles of herbal remedies, subjecting them to rigorous scientific scrutiny. Additionally, it investigates the efficacy of herbal interventions, aiming to bridge the gap between historical anecdotes and empirical research. The complex bioactivity of herbal compounds, often containing numerous active ingredients, is a focal point, unraveling the mechanisms through which these natural substances interact with the human body. In a world where the synthesis of traditional wisdom and modern science holds promise for advancing healthcare, this review contributes to the ongoing dialogue. By critically examining the safety, efficacy, and bioactivity of herbal remedies, it aims to illuminate the evolving landscape of herbal medicine. The goal is to integrate the best of both worlds to enhance global well-being, acknowledging the potential of herbal medicine as a valuable complement to modern healthcare practices.

Background and objectives: Medicinal plants have been recognized as a promising alternative treatment against some types of cancer, being rich sources of effective biochemical agents. The aim of this study, therefore, was to gather, through a systematic literature review, articles related to plants from the Brazilian Cerrado biome that have an action on different tumor cells.

Methods: Different keywords were used in the search mechanisms of Pubmed, Scielo, Science Direct, Scopus, and Lilacs databases. Of the studies found, titles that did not reflect the purpose of this review, those that did not provide access to the full text, and those that were published before 2005 were excluded. Articles referring to the activity of Cerrado plants in tumor cells published in the last sixteen years were selected, totaling thirty-nine articles. Registration number of this review: #CRD42020205579.

Results: The extracts from the studied plants demonstrated significant antiproliferative effects against several tumor cell lines. 39 species of plants were identified belonging to the families: Combretaceae, Annonaceae, Celastraceae, Verbenaceae, Solanaceae, Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae, Bignoniaceae, Erythroxylaceae, Sapotaceae, Asteraceae, Elaeocarpaceae, Apocynaceae, Anacardiaceae, Calophyllaceae, Lythraceae, Mimosaceae, and Morseraceae. The extracts were obtained from different parts of the plants and different fractions were used.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the Cerrado contains a wide variety of plants with antitumor actions, and further studies are needed to discover other species with anticancer potential, in addition to in vivo studies.

Impairment in the cerebral glymphatic system may be one of the primary etiologic reasons for insomnia. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physiotherapy is helpful for treating insomnia patients, with few side effects; however, its influence on glymphatic system function has not yet been examined. The DTI-ALPS (diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space) technique and structural brain network graph theory analysis are the only current methods that can show the glymphatic system’s function and the operating efficiency of the neurofibrillary network in a noninvasive and quantitative manner, but their utility has yet to be proven. We employed DTI-ALPS and structural brain network small-worldness to examine changes in the glymphatic system’s function and the network’s working efficiency before and after TCM meridian sinew treatment in a 35-year-old female with chronic insomnia. The ALPS index and small-worldness, the Insomnia Severity Index, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were collected at various time intervals following therapy. The results showed that the patient’s glymphatic system functioning, neurofibrillary network arrangement status, and insomnia symptoms improved during the therapy period. Additionally, her glymphatic system functioning and network status had stabilized and her quality of sleep had improved one month after the treatment ended. Thus, TCM physiotherapy can improve insomnia symptoms, and this report suggests that the corresponding mechanism of action may be achieved by repairing the glymphatic system’s function and optimizing the state of neurofibrillary network arrangement, providing a new perspective for the study of the TCM therapeutic mechanism of insomnia.