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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. (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.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly contagious, and the epidemic has spread to hundreds of countries around the world, and seriously threatens the life safety of people around the world. Arbidol is an antiviral drug with high potential against COVID-19, but evidence of effectiveness and safety is lacking. The systematic review protocol aims to formulate a research plan that can evaluate the efficacy and safety of arbidol for COVID-19. Methods: The retrieval time will be from the database establishment to June 2020. The retrieval database will include the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, OVID, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, etc. The primary outcome will be clinical efficacy, and the secondary results will be accompanying symptoms, time for the temperature to return to normal, time of novel coronavirus nucleic acid turning negative, blood sample test, Computed Tomography examination, length of hospitalization, adverse reactions, and adverse events. RevManV.5.3 software will be used for meta-analysis, and fixed effects model, random-effects model, subgroup analysis, and descriptive analysis will be adopted according to the heterogeneity of the research results. Results: To provide the latest evidence of clinical efficacy and safety of arbidol in the treatment of COVID-19. Conclusion: Our study will provide the latest evidence analysis of the efficacy and safety of arbidol for COVID-19, to provide evidence-based medicine for the prevention and control of this epidemic. Registration details: PROSPERO CRD42020189203.

In complicated disorders like cancer, signaling pathways form a tangled network. Targeting one gene may result in an unfavorable reaction from another off-target gene. Such entwined complexities may result in treatment resistance or failure in cancer patients. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR (phosphoinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway is dysregulated in cervical cancer and is used as a biomarker for therapy. PI3K is a kinase that consists of a regulatory and catalytic domain and has phosphorylation capability. Class I components like the catalytic part (PIK3CA and PIK3CD) and regulatory part (like PIK3R1, PIK3R2, PIK3R3, and PIK3R5) are associated with oncogenesis and growth factors in cervical cancer. This review is aimed at discussing the involvement of the PI3K component of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR network in cervical cancer. Specifically, class I catalytic subunit PIK3CA has been identified as a pharmacological target, making it therapeutically significant. Apart from discussing the function of PI3K and PIK3CA in cervical cancer, we also discuss their inhibitors, which may be beneficial in treating cervical cancer.

Copper is an essential micronutrient that plays a critical role in many physiological processes. However, excessive copper accumulation in cancer cells has been linked to tumor growth and metastasis. This review article explores the potential of targeting copper metabolism as a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Excessive copper accumulation in cancer cells has been associated with tumor growth and metastasis. By disrupting copper homeostasis in cancer cells and inducing cell death through copper-dependent mechanisms (cuproplasia and cuprotosis, respectively), therapies can be developed with improved efficacy and reduced side effects. The article discusses the role of copper in biological processes, such as angiogenesis, immune response, and redox homeostasis. Various approaches for targeting copper metabolism in cancer treatment are examined, including the use of copper-dependent enzymes, copper-based compounds, and cuprotosis-related genes or proteins. The review also explores strategies like copper chelation therapy and nanotechnology for targeted delivery of copper-targeting agents. By understanding the intricate network of cuprotosis and its interactions with the tumor microenvironment and immune system, new targets for therapy can be identified, leading to improved cancer treatment outcomes. Overall, this comprehensive review highlights the significant potential of targeting copper metabolism as a promising and effective approach in cancer treatment, while providing valuable insights into the current state of research in this field.

Background: COVID-19 is a global public health emergency. At present, there is no highly effective medicine for the prevention and treatment of 2019-nCoV. Western medicine for COVID-19 is mainly based on symptomatic support therapy. Chinese herbal medicine has been used to prevent infectious diseases for thousands of years in China. Western medicine routine treatment combined with Chinese herbal medicine is an alternative clinical option but lacks evidence-based medical evidence. The systematic review protocol aims to formulate a research plan that can evaluate the efficacy and safety of western medicine routine treatment combined with Chinese herbal medicine for COVID-19. Methods: We will search the following eight databases: Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Medline, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM. The search time is up to the end of July 2020. Two authors will independently complete literature screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. In case of disagreement, the third author will assist in the judgment. The primary outcome will be the clinical cure rate. The secondary outcome will be accounting symptoms, fever time, time of virus nucleic acid turning negative, check the condition by drawing blood, pneumonia absorption rate, patient hospitalization time, severe conversion rate and case fatality rate, adverse reactions, and adverse events. Revman 5.3 will be used for systematic reviews and meta-analysis. The report of the protocol will follow the PRISMA-P statement, and the report of the systematic review and meta-analysis will follow the PRISMA statement. Results: We will provide evidence-based medical evidence of the efficacy and safety of western medicine routine treatment combined with Chinese herbal medicine for COVID-19. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Registration details: CRD42020190106.