Poria cocos

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Insomnia is a common form of sleep disorder. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compounds have definite curative effects and a low incidence of adverse reactions, which is recognized to be an effective intervention means for the treatment of insomnia. AIM OF THE STUDY: Based on mining the clinical research data of treating insomnia of yin deficiency syndrome (IYDS) with TCM compounds systematically, the study is to analyze the research hotspots and development trends in this field, explore the medication rule, evaluate the quality of research, so as to provide reference and direction for clinical application and scientific research in this field. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relevant literature was retrieved and managed by evidence-based medicine strategy and EndNote software respectively. The bibliometric method was used to mine and analyze data characteristics. The VOSviewer software was used to make visual knowledge maps, the IBM SPSS Modeler software was used for association rule analysis of herbs, and the Cochrane tool and MINORS scale were used for quality analysis of literature. RESULTS: (1) A total of 184 related studies were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. (2) The research popularity showed a dynamic upward trend and the research hotspot showed a trend of migration and refinement, etc. (3) The commonly used herbs in this field were Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H.F.Chow, etc; the commonly used TCM prescriptions were Huanglian Ejiao Decoction, etc; the commonly used dosage forms were traditional decoction, etc; the commonly used combinations of herbs included Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H.F.Chow-Poria cocos（Schw.）Wolf, etc. (4) The rate of the studies containing ethical review numbers and clear inclusion standards did not reach 50%, and the risk bias of methodological was high. However, a separate analysis of data showed that the specification of study design was on the rise obviously in recent years, and Meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis could confirm the effectiveness and stability of clinical efficacy which was the key indicator in treating IYDS with TCM prescri

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Diabetic sarcopenia (DS), an emerging diabetes complication, poses an increasing challenge to the elderly population. Shenqi paste (SQP) consists of 8 medicine-food homology substances: Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge., Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., Polygonatum sibiricum Red., Dioscorea opposita Thunb., Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., Hordeum vulgare L., and Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker Gawl. SQP has shown potential benefits for sarcopenia in clinical practice. Its efficacy and safety in DS have not been validated in a randomized controlled trial. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and limitations, and provide insights into methods and strategies for utilizing SQP in DS management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years) with DS and spleen-kidney deficiency syndrome were allocated 1:1 to receive either SQP or placebo paste for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), handgrip strength, and five-time chair stand test (FCST) duration. Secondary outcomes included health-related scales and biochemical indicators. Assessments were conducted at the baseline (T0), week 6 (T1), and week 12 (T2). Safety evaluation included blood routine, liver and kidney function tests. Intention-to-treat analysis was applied to the primary outcomes data from all participants, with per-protocol analysis for sensitivity. Generalized estimating equations with covariate adjustment and t-tests or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of 90 randomized participants, the SQP group showed greater improvements in handgrip strength (T2: interact p < 0.001), SMI (T2: interact p < 0.001), and FCST (T2: interact p < 0.001) versus control. Secondary outcome measures of 74 participants, including frailty, nutrition, physical activity, sleep quality, depression, and TCM syndrome scores, significantly improved (p < 0.05), with significant fasting blood glucose reduction (T2: interact p = 0.018) and C-reactive protein decrease (T2: interact p < 0.001). There was no

GOAL: To evaluate the acute impact of a nutraceutical blend on immune surveillance. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial was conducted in 11 healthy subjects. Blood samples were taken immediately before and at 1, 2, and 3 hours after consuming placebo or 500 mg of UP360, which is a blend of botanicals from Aloe vera, Poria cocos, and rosemary (APR extract). Immunophenotyping and flow cytometry quantified numbers of monocytes, NK cells, NKT cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, γδT cells, and total T cells, and expression of CD25 and CD69 activation markers. Plasma was tested for cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. RESULTS: Compared to the placebo, consumption of APR extract triggered rapid increases in chemokine levels starting at 1 hour, including IP-10 (P<0.05) and MCP-1 (P<0.1), which peaked at 2 hours (P<0.01) and 3 hours (P<0.05), respectively. The stem cell-mobilizing growth factor G-CSF increased at 2 hours (P<0.05). Increased immune surveillance involved a transient effect for monocytes at 1 hour, followed by NKT cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, and γδT cells at 2-3 hours. Increased immune cell alertness was seen at 1 hour by increased CD25 expression on monocytes (P<0.01), NKT cells (P<0.01), and T cells (P<0.05). NKT cells showed upregulation of CD69 at 2 hours (P<0.01). Increased enzymatic activity was seen at 2 hours for the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (P<0.05) and catalase (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Consumption of APR extract triggered acute changes to chemokine levels. In addition, immune alertness was increased via the expression of activation markers on multiple types of innate immune cells, followed by increased immune surveillance and antioxidant protection. This suggests a beneficial enhancement of natural immune surveillance, likely via a combination of gut-mediated cytokine release and vagus nerve communication, in combination with cellular protection from oxidative stress. Copyright: © 2023 Yu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, di

In this report, we present the strategy for the revelation of synergistic effect and elucidation of active fractions from an immunomodulatory complex polysaccharide derived from seven herbs (Lentinula edodes, Ganodorma lucidum, Tremella fuciformis, Chrysanthemum, Lycium barbarum, Codonopsis pilosula and Poria cocos), a formula used as health product in China market, using the combination of HPSEC-MALLS, immunological bioassay and saccharide mapping analysis. The effects of complex polysaccharide and their fractions on RAW 246.7 macrophages demonstrated that the fractions (CD1, CD2, CD3) with molecular weight above 10 kDa exhibited immune activity by directly stimulated NO release and phagocytosis, and induced macrophages to secrete cytokines. Especially, fraction CD2 with molecular weight of 100-1000 kDa showed the strongest bioactivity (EC50 = 0.19 μg/mL) compared with their individual corresponding herbal polysaccharides fractions due to synergistic effect, which supported the scientific use of Chinese herbal mixture. Moreover, their chemical characters were analyzed by HPSEC-MALLS and saccharide mapping, and the original herbs, including L. edodes, G. lucidum, T. fuciformis and Chrysanthemum, responsible for the immunomodulatory activity were tentatively revealed. Results are beneficial for the quality analysis and formula optimization of complex polysaccharides in both biomedical and functional food field.

Influencing the absorption of effective components in the intestines is one of the important compatibility mechanisms of the traditional Chinese medicine. Simulation of drug absorption through an in vitro intestinal epithelial cell line is an important method to study the interaction of drug compatibility and bioavailability of drugs. In this study, the compatibility mechanism of Ding-Zhi-Xiao-Wan (DZXW) was investigated by using the in vitro Caco-2 cell monolayers model. Decomposing the formula into single herb and drug-pair to clarify the compatibility mechanism was firstly used. The transport characteristics of 20 major bioactive compounds including 8 ginsenosides, 6 poria triterpenes, 3 onjisaponins, one polygala oligosaccharide and two essential oils were selected as the main evaluation factor, and the absorption of these compounds by Caco-2 cells in the single herb group, drug-pair group and DZXW group were detected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS). The results showed that the absorption of ginsenosides and polysaponins were related to the numbers of glycosyl groups, and the uptaken of poria triterpenes was dominated by lipophilicity. Polygala radix played a critical role in the permeability of gensenosides, and acorus tatarinowii rhizome dominated permeability of poria triterpenes. The apparent permeability coefficients of ginsenosides and poria triterpenes were greater than 14.0 × 10-6 cm s-1, indicating they could be absorbed well, and the ginseng and poria cocos might played the crucial role in the efficacy of DZXW. Herbal combination could remarkable improve the absorption of 18 compounds and the scientific rationality compatibility of DZXW formula was proved.

Sulfated polysaccharides (SPSs) from two edible fungal species, including two strains of Antrodia cinnamomea and Poria cocos, were isolated. Fucose, glucosamine, galactose, glucose, and mannose were the major sugars in the SPSs, and these SPSs had a high sulfate content. The area percentage of low-molecular-weight SPSs (1-100 kDa) covered almost half of the SPS mixture of the A. cinnamomea strains. In contrast, high-molecular-weight SPSs (>1000 kDa) of P. cocos covered a large proportion of the area at 30.06%. SPSs from A. cinnamomea B86 showed stronger inhibition of endothelial cell (EC) tube formation in an in vitro assay of angiogenesis, than did A. cinnamomea 35396 or P. cocos. The degree of sulfation paralleled their antiangiogenic activity. When tumor cells were concurrently exposed to doxorubicin (DOX) and fungal SPSs, SPSs synergistically increased the cytotoxicity of DOX to different degree up to 50-fold. Fungal SPSs may offer new applications for combinational-therapy drugs.

Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Tang (Ten Significant Tonic Decoction), or SQT (Juzentaihoto, TJ-48) was formulated by Taiping Hui-Min Ju (Public Welfare Pharmacy Bureau) in Chinese Song Dynasty in AD 1200. It is prepared by extracting a mixture of ten medical herbs (Rehmannia glutinosa, Paeonia lactiflora, Liqusticum wallichii, Angelica sinesis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala, Panax ginseng. Astragalus membranaceus and Cinnamomum cassia) that tone the blood and vital energy, and strengthen health and immunity. This potent and popular prescription has traditionally been used against anemia, anorexia, extreme exhaustion, fatigue, kidney and spleen insufficiency and general weakness, particularly after illness. In order to restore immunity in cancer patients, potentiate the therapeutic effect and ameliorate adverse toxicity of anticancer agents, 116 Chinese herbal formularies (Kampo) have been screened and evaluated. Fifteen compounds were found to have such actions. Among these, SQT was selected as the most effective as a potent biological response modifier. During the last eight years, animal models and clinical studies have revealed that SQT demonstrates extremely low toxicity (LD50 > 15 g/kg op murine), self-regulatory and synergistic actions of its components in immunomodulatory and immunopotentiating effects (by stimulating hemopoietic factors and interleukins production in association with NK cells, etc.), potentiates therapeutic activity in chemotherapy (mitomycin, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil) and radiotherapy, inhibits the recurrence of malignancies, prolongs survival, as well as ameliorate and/or prevents adverse toxicities (GI disturbances such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, hematotoxicity, immunosuppression, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia and nephropathy, etc.) of many anticancer drugs. The application and mechanistic studies of SQT in future development have potential importance in basic and clinical research of the traditional Chinese therapeutic approach of "toning the blood and strengthening Qi (vital energy)" in cancer immunotherapy.

This article reviews mushrooms with anti-breast cancer activity. The mushrooms covered which are better known include the following: button mushroom Agaricus bisporus, Brazilian mushroom Agaricus blazei, Amauroderma rugosum, stout camphor fungus Antrodia camphorata, Jew's ear (black) fungus or black wood ear fungus Auricularia auricula-judae, reishi mushroom or Lingzhi Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma sinense, maitake mushroom or sheep's head mushroom Grifola frondosa, lion's mane mushroom or monkey head mushroom Hericium erinaceum, brown beech mushroom Hypsizigus marmoreus, sulfur polypore mushroom Laetiporus sulphureus, Lentinula edodes (shiitake mushroom), Phellinus linteus (Japanese "meshimakobu," Chinese "song gen," Korean "sanghwang," American "black hoof mushroom"), abalone mushroom Pleurotus abalonus, king oyster mushroom Pleurotus eryngii, oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus, tuckahoe or Fu Ling Poria cocos, and split gill mushroom Schizophyllum commune. Antineoplastic effectiveness in human clinical trials and mechanism of anticancer action have been reported for Antrodia camphorata, Cordyceps sinensis, Coriolus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and Lentinula edodes.

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the influences of Chinese herbal compound on the growth and metabolism of weight-bearing bones of tail-suspended rats. METHODS: Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group (eight), tail-suspended control group (eight) and Chinese medicine treatment group (eight) according to their weights. No treatment was done for the blank control group. Double distilled water lavage was performed daily for the tail-suspended control group. On the basis of the tail-suspended rat model, the rats were given Chinese herbal compound lavage every day in Chinese medicine treatment group. This compound includes mulberry, Poria cocos and barbary wolfberry, etc. The test cycle was four weeks. The rats were killed after the experiment. The right femoral bone was taken out for the physical measurements, and the left femoral bone was for the three-point bending test. The influences of Chinese herbal compound on femoral bone growth and biomechanical properties of simulated weightlessness rats were observed. RESULTS: (1) After simulated weightlessness (tail-suspension), compared with the blank control group, all the physiological indexes of rat femoral bone decreased in tail-suspended group and Chinese medicine treatment group (P<0.05). The strength and rigidity of rat femoral bone decreased in tail-suspended group (P<0.01). The maximum load and rigidity coefficient also decreased with the increasing toughness coefficient in the control group (P<0.01). (2) After the countermeasure of Chinese herbal compound, each biomechanical indexes showed the tendency of increasing in Chinese medicine treatment group, and theses indexes were close to those of the blank control group (P<0.05), which indicated that the bone loss caused by simulated weightlessness was improved. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese herbal compound for tonifying kidney could effectively prevent the bone loss and have some enhancements on the bone biomechanical properties.

This systematic review examines the antidepressant potential of edible medicinal fungi (EMFs), focusing on their bioactive compounds and mechanisms of action. EMFs modulate neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA), alleviating depressive symptoms. Extracts from EMFs, such as Ganoderma lucidum, Hericium erinaceus, Poria cocos, and Cordyceps militaris, demonstrate significant antidepressant-like effects in preclinical studies. Their bioactive compounds influence the tryptophan-kynurenine (KYN) pathway, regulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and reduce neuroinflammation, all of which are linked to stress response and mood regulation. The review also explores the gut-brain axis, highlighting how EMF-derived polysaccharides improve gut health by modulating microbiota, potentially mitigating depressive symptoms. Additionally, it discusses the use of EMFs in functional foods and dietary supplements, innovations like 3D food printing for depression-related issues, and synthetic biology for enhancing compound production. Artificial intelligence is used to model complex mechanisms. However, challenges remain, such as standardization and lack of clinical validation. Future research should address these gaps, emphasizing personalized interventions and advanced technologies for next-generation antidepressant foods. © 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional plant-based medicines (TMs) have been widely used to prevent chronic oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (OIPN). However, the prevention and safety of TMs for chronic OIPN remain ambiguous. Furthermore, diverse TM prescriptions and complicated components limit in-depth research on the mechanisms of TMs. AIM OF THIS STUDY: To determine core TMs and potential pharmacological pathways on the basis of a thorough investigation into the preventive benefits and safety of oral TMs for chronic OIPN in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: A search of the PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases for RCTs reporting on TMs for chronic OIPN was conducted through December 1, 2022. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were applied to assess the impacts of influencing variables. The assessment of Risk of Bias was relied on Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The funnel plot, Egger's test, and the Trim and Fill method were applied to identify potential publication bias. Trial sequential analyses (TSA) were carried out by the TSA tool to increase the robustness. The assessment of the quality of evidence was according to the GRADE system. System pharmacology analysis was employed to screen core herbal combinations to elucidate possible mechanisms for preventing chronic OIPN in CRC. RESULTS: The pooled effect estimate with robustness increased by TSA analysis demonstrated that oral TMs appeared to significantly decrease the incidence of chronic OIPN (RR = 0.66, 95% CI (0.56, 0.78); P＜0.00001), leukocytopenia (RR = 0.65, 95% CI (0.54,0.79); P＜0.00001), and nausea and vomiting (RR = 0.72, 95% CI (0.61,0.84); P＜0.0001) as well as improve the Objective Response Rate (ORR) (RR = 1.31, 95% CI (1.09,1.56); P = 0.003). The incidence of severe chronic OIPN was revealed a significant reduction, particularly when chemotherapy was administered for periods of time shorter than six months (RR = 0.33, 95% CI (0.15,0.71); P = 0.005; actuation duration＜3 months; RR = 0.33, 95% CI (0.17,0.62); P = 0.0007; actuation duration≥3 months, ＜6 months). The considerable heterogeneity among studies may be attributable to the se

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Amenorrhea caused by antipsychotic drugs is not uncommon in clinical practice, and various treatment strategies are used to treat the condition. Chinese herbal medicine has its own theory for amenorrhea caused by antipsychotic drugs and has developed its own medication methods. AIM OF THE STUDY: To review and conduct meta-analysis of the use of traditional Chinese herbal medicine in treatment of amenorrhea caused by antipsychotic drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search was conducted across seven Chinese electronic databases (the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, the China Science and Technology Journal Database, the Wanfang Database, the SinoMed, the Foreign Medical Literature Retrieval Service(FMRS), the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library, the Airiti Library), and the following English databases: MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, OLD MEDLINE、Publisher Supplied Citation in pubmed; JBI EBP Database, EBM Reviews, Embase, OVID Emcare, Ovid MEDLINE(R), Maternity & Infant Care Database(MIDIRS), APA PsycInfo in OVID, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Cochrane Reviews), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (Other Reviews), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Clinical Trials),The Cochrane Methodology Register (Method Studies), Health Technology Assessment Database (Technology Assessments), NHS Economic Evaluation Database (Economic Evaluations) in Cochrane Library; and four databases (Science Direct, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Scopus) in official website using common standards and inclusion/exclusion criteria. The remaining reports were used for preliminary studies. Due to inconsistencies in control groups, randomized controlled trials and articles that combined with other drugs were also excluded. This study is a META analysis of a single rate. RESULTS: Initial screening returned 912 potentially relevant publications in all databases. After subsequent filtering, a total of 18 articles were included in the analysis. The overall effectiveness for treatment amenorrhea caused by antipsychotic drugs using traditional Chinese herbal medicine was 0.91, with 95% confidence interval of 0.89-0.93. Not

The management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains an issue in the treatment of colorectal cancer using oxaliplatin-based regimens. Certain traditional plant-based medicines (TMs) have histories of use for nausea and vomiting and have been integrated with conventional therapies for CINV. To assess the effectiveness of integrative management of CINV, meta-analysis was conducted of 27 randomised controlled studies (1843 participants) published from 2005 to 2013. The oxaliplatin plus TM groups showed significantly reduced CINV (risk ratio 0.65 [0.59, 0.71], I(2) = 28%) compared with oxaliplatin controls, with or without the addition of conventional anti-emetics. Further sensitivity analyses based on the ingredients of the TMs identified six plants (Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Coix lacryma-jobi, Astragalus membranaceus, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Panax ginseng) that were associated with significant reductions in CINV without important heterogeneity. Experimental studies of these six plants have reported inhibitory effects on nausea and vomiting (or its animal equivalent), regulation of gastrointestinal motility, gastroprotective effects and antioxidant actions, which may at least partially explain the effects identified in the meta-analyses of the clinical trial results. These plants warrant further clinical research as potential additions to chemotherapy regimens in patients whose CINV is not sufficiently well controlled by conventional therapies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This systematic review evaluates the clinical evidence for the addition of herbal medicines (HMs) to FOLFOX 4 for advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC) in terms of tumor response rate (tRR), survival, quality of life and reduction in adverse events (AEs). Seven electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of FOLFOX4 combined with HMs compared to FOLFOX4 alone. Outcome data for 13 randomized controlled trials were analysed using Review Manager 5.1. Risk of bias for objective outcomes including tumor response and survival was judged as low. Publication bias was not evident. Meta-analyses found the addition of HMs improved tRR (RR 1.25, 95%CI 1.06-1.47, I(2) = 0%), one year survival (RR 1.51, 95%CI 1.19-1.90, I(2) = 0%) and quality of life in terms of Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) gained (RR 1.84, 95%CI 1.54-2.19, I(2) = 0%); alleviated grade 3 and 4 chemotherapy-related AEs for neutropenia (RR 0.33, 95%CI 0.18-0.60, I(2) = 0%), nausea and vomiting (RR 0.34, 95%CI 0.17-0.67, I(2) = 0%) and neurotoxicity (RR 0.39, 95%CI 0.15-1.00, I(2) = 0%), compared to FOLFOX4 alone. The most frequently used herbs were Astragalus membranaceus, Panax ginseng, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Coix lachryma-jobi and Sophora flavescens. In experimental studies, each of these herbs has shown actions that could have contributed to improved tumor response.

Text mining and other literature-based investigations can assist in identifying natural products for experimental and clinical research. This article details a method for systematically analyzing data derived from the classical Chinese medical literature. We present the results of electronic searches of Zhong Hua Yi Dian ("Encyclopaedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine"), a CD of 1000 premodern (before 1950) medical books, for single herbs, and other natural products used for dementia, memory disorders, and memory improvement. This review explores how the terminology for these disorders has changed over time and which herbs have been used more or less frequently, and compares the results from the premodern literature with the herbs indexed for memory disorders in a modern pharmacopoeia. The searches located 731 citations deriving from 127 different books written between ca. 188 ad and ca. 1920. Of the 110 different natural products identified, those most frequently cited for forgetfulness were yuan zhi (Polygala tenuifolia), fu shen (Poria cocos), and chang pu (Acorus spp.), all of which have been cited repeatedly over the past 1800 years and appear among the 31 herbs indexed in a modern pharmacopoeia. By providing a complete, hierarchically organized list of herbs for a specific disorder, this approach can assist researchers in selecting herbs for research.

In the last twenty years a considerable body of information has accumulated on the chemical constituents of Chinese herbs and their therapeutic potential. Our evaluation/systematic review [1, 2] of well-designed, randomized double blind controlled trials on Chinese herbal medicines beneficial for the improvement of cognitive function revealed a range of either single herbs or herbal mixtures that provided neuroprotective benefits. Oxidative stress may directly initiate neurodegeneration and herbal antioxidant neuroprotection is considered as a preventative and therapeutic approach. We encountered Acoris gramineus rhizome (AGR), Panax ginseng, Polygala tenuifolia and Poria cocos as the four most frequently used herbs as single/herbal mixtures that were associated with positive cognitive enhancing outcomes. This review focuses on the evidence of their medicinal effects attributed to those constituents present in relatively high concentration.