Research Appraisals
Evidence-based critical appraisals of the latest medical research, systematically evaluated using Oxford CEBM methodology.
Showing 3 appraisals
Journal of ethnopharmacology
Senecio scandens Buch. - Ham.: A comprehensive review of botany, phytochemistry, biological activity, toxicity, quality control, application, and practical domain.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham., a medicinal herb from the Asteraceae family, contains flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids as its primary bioactive compounds. It is commonly used in the treatment of ocular diseases and dermatological conditions. However, with its expanding applications across various fields, growing attention has been directed toward the potential safety concerns associated with its use. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This article systematically reviews existing literature on S. scandens, examining its botany, phytochemistry, biological activity, toxicity, applications, and development utilization, to provide a theoretical basis for in-depth exploration of its pharmacological mechanisms and resource development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study conducted a systematic review of literature on S. scandens published from 1972 to 2025, based on databases including PubMed and Web of Science. Plants names are provided in accordance with "The Plant List" (https://wfoplantlist.org/). RESULT: Over 200 chemical constituents, primarily flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids, have been isolated and identified from S. scandens, endowing it with diverse biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-tumor effects. To address potential hepatorenal toxicity from its pyrrolizidine alkaloids, relevant safety guidelines have been gradually established alongside various clinical dosage forms. It is also widely used in fields including medicine, animal husbandry, agriculture, and cosmetics. CONCLUSION: By systematically reviewing the botany, phytochemistry, biological activity, toxicity, application, and development and utilization of S. scandens, this paper identifies key utilization obstacles, proposes future research directions, and provides a theoretical framework for its further development.
12 May 2026
Read appraisal →Computers in biology and medicine
A decoction-inspired genetic algorithm and PPO reinforcement learning for intelligent molecular discovery: Anti-colorectal cancer candidates from the tiao-pi AnChang formula
BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The TiaoPi AnChang Decoction (TPACD), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, has shown potential anti-CRC activity in preclinical studies (in vitro and in vivo); however, its active chemical basis and key target interactions remain unclear. The complex, multicomponent nature of TPACD poses significant challenges for systematically identifying and optimizing compounds. PURPOSE: This study aimed to establish an intelligent molecular discovery framework that integrates a decoction-inspired genetic algorithm (EGA) with proximal policy optimization (PPO)-based reinforcement learning to simulate the dynamic transformation and recombination processes underlying traditional herbal decoctions and to generate and prioritize in silico candidate molecules for further anti-CRC evaluation. STUDY DESIGN: A parallel molecular generation strategy was developed, comprising three algorithmic pathways, namely, the basic molecular generation algorithm (BMGA), enhanced molecular generation algorithm (EMGA), and intelligent molecular generation algorithm (IMGA), which represent progressive levels of structural diversity, biological relevance, and optimization capacity. METHODS: The EGA simulated the selection-transformation-recombination principles of decoction through adaptive mutation, fragment recombination, and a diversity-preserving selection procedure. PPO-based reinforcement learning further refined the molecular properties via a reward-guided exploration of the chemical space. The BMGA enabled baseline molecular generation; the EMGA incorporated affinity-based selection; and the IMGA achieved multiobjective optimization, integrating drug likeness, novelty, and toxicity filtering. The candidate molecules were validated by affinity prediction, QED scoring, and molecular docking. RESULTS: All three methods generated chemically valid and pharmacologically enhanced molecules relative to the original TPACD components. The EMGA provided improved biological affinity and exploration efficiency, whereas the IMGA achieved the highest overall performance level, with superior QED and docking stability, and predicted the CRC inhibition potential of the molecules. CONCLUSION: The proposed EGA-PPO framework effectively connects traditional decoction principles with modern AI-based drug design. The tri-algorithmic system (BMGA-EMGA-IMGA) provides a scalable and interpretable strategy for de novo molecular discovery, offering promising leads for acquiring natural product-derived CRC therapeutics.
9 May 2026
Read appraisal →Journal of ethnopharmacology
Trends and multidisciplinary research of torch ginger [Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M.Sm.]: A systematic review.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M.Sm. (torch ginger) is a tropical plant traditionally used as a cut flower, culinary ingredient, and medicinal resource across Southeast Asia and other regions. However, integrated research on its multidisciplinary utilization remains limited. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to provide a comprehensive systematic review of scientific publications on torch ginger, including analyses of contributing countries, institutions, plant parts, chemical constituents, and research fields. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Publications up to 2024 were retrieved from Scopus and screened using predefined exclusion criteria based on PRISMA principles. The data were analyzed to determine publication trends and bibliometric distributions. Phytochemical and pharmacological data were also extracted. RESULTS: Research on torch ginger began in 1997 and now involves fifteen contributing countries, with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brazil as major contributors. Studies span fourteen research fields, with pharmacology and phytochemistry as dominant areas. The literature reports eighty-five major bioactive compounds. Extractives from most plant parts contain n-hexadecanoic acid, and essential oils from all parts contain dodecanal and 1-dodecanol. Most research focuses on flowers because their bioactive compounds show wide pharmacological potential, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-allergic, anti-hyperuricemic, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, anticancer, antimicrobial, and anthelmintic activities. However, extracts from stems, rhizomes, and fruits demonstrate pharmacological potentials that exceed those of flowers and leaves. CONCLUSIONS: Torch ginger demonstrates remarkable pharmacological potential. Its ease of cultivation and versatile applications support its suitability for large-scale development. As a multifunctional industrial crop, it holds strong promise for zero-waste bioeconomic utilization. Further research must investigate plant parts other than the flower.
6 Apr 2026
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