Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent yet complex metabolic disorder that has shown a rising incidence over the past few decades. Recent research has identified flavonoids as compounds capable of both preventing and managing T2DM through various mechanisms. These mechanisms include enhancing insulin sensitivity, stimulating insulin secretion, modulating intestinal microbiota, inhibiting glucose absorption, and reducing gluconeogenesis. Moreover, numerous studies have suggested that flavonoids may influence gut hormones. Therefore, we propose that flavonoids could serve as effective therapeutic agents for T2DM by modulating intestinal hormone levels. This review aimed to elucidate the potential pathways through which flavonoids may impact T2DM, with a particular emphasis on their role in regulating the enteroendocrine system.

Hyperuricemia (HU), characterized by elevated uric acid (UA) levels in the blood, is a global health concern associated with various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, gout, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, renal dysfunction, and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies highlight the multifaceted origins of HU, implicating genetic predisposition, dietary patterns, lifestyle choices, and environmental influences. Genetic variations affecting enzymes and transporters involved in purine metabolism and UA excretion have been identified, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies. Advances in diagnostic imaging and omics technologies provide enhanced precision in detecting and evaluating risks. While pharmacological interventions remain central to managing HU, persistent challenges such as treatment resistance necessitate the exploration of novel drug targets and lifestyle modifications. Chinese herbal medicines present a potential alternative with fewer side effects. Emerging research on the impact of gut microbiota on UA metabolism opens new therapeutic avenues. Despite progress, challenges such as optimizing treatment duration and understanding long-term effects remain. Collaborative efforts are essential to address these challenges and advance our comprehension of HU. Integrating precision medicine and holistic patient care approaches holds promise for improving outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for individuals with HU. This review provided a contemporary analysis of HU, covering its causes, associated health risks, diagnosis, treatment, and future outlook.

The treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection remains a challenge due to the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria. It is hypothesized that using more potent acid suppressants, such as potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) like Vonoprazan, may improve eradication rates. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of H. pylori eradication regimens containing Vonoprazan with those containing proton pump inhibitors for H. pylori infection.

Two hundred and thirty-two patients were assigned to two groups. Group I (treatment-naïve) included: Arm 1 (intervention arm) with 58 patients who received Clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, Amoxicillin 1 mg twice daily, and Vonoprazan 20 mg twice daily; and Arm 2 (comparator arm) with 58 patients who received Clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, Amoxicillin 1 mg twice daily, and Esomeprazole 20 mg twice daily. Group II (treatment-experienced) included: Arm 3 (intervention arm) with 58 patients who received Levofloxacin 500 mg once daily, Vonoprazan 20 mg twice daily, Nitazoxanide 500 mg twice daily, and Doxycycline 100 mg once daily; and Arm 4 (comparator) with 58 patients who received Levofloxacin 500 mg once daily, Esomeprazole 20 mg twice daily, Nitazoxanide 500 mg twice daily, and Doxycycline 100 mg once daily. All patients received their treatment regimens for 14 days. H. pylori eradication was assessed four weeks after treatment.

The successful eradication rate was higher in Arm 1 (58.6%) compared to Arm 2 (50%), and higher in Arm 3 (50%) compared to Arm 4 (43.1%). H. pylori eradication regimens including P-CABs were well-tolerated with a low incidence of adverse events.

The results of P-CAB-based eradication regimens are comparable to those of proton pump inhibitor-based regimens.

Cancer is thought to be the second most prevalent and leading cause of mortality worldwide, affecting both men and women among other chronic diseases. While there are several treatment options available, significant strains, side effects, and resistance have led researchers to focus on finding novel alternative medications for cancer treatment. Antioxidants and the immunomodulatory activities of medicinal plants are studied and considered to have anti-cancer effects. Medicinal plants contain diverse phytoconstituents as natural drugs, which possess numerous medicinal properties used for treating and preventing various illnesses. These phytoconstituents work through several mechanisms to target and kill cancer cells. Anticancer mechanisms include suppression and arrest of the G0/G1 phase, acting as anti-mitotic and anti-microtubule agents, enhancing the activity of macrophages, inhibiting cancer cells through various signaling cascades, anti-angiogenesis, and cytotoxicity. Investigating botanical sources and their metabolites can uncover new chemical entities for cancer treatment at the molecular target level and provide future interventions in cancer therapy. This article summarizes a few medicinal plants and their mechanisms of action for their anticancer potential. Furthermore, we discuss the future prospects and limitations of using medicinal plants in cancer treatment.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest malignant tumors in the world, and its incidence and mortality have increased year by year. HCC research has increasingly focused on understanding its pathogenesis and developing treatments.The Wnt signaling pathway, a complex and evolutionarily conserved signal transduction system, has been extensively studied in the genesis and treatment of several malignant tumors. Recent investigations suggest that the pathogenesis of HCC may be significantly influenced by dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This article aimed to examine the pathway that controls Wnt signaling in HCC and its mechanisms. In addition, we highlighted the role of this pathway in HCC etiology and targeted treatment.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease has emerged as a leading cause of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis in the Western world. With rising rates of obesity, the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)-related cirrhosis is expected to increase. MASH is associated with chronic hepatic inflammation and progressive liver fibrosis, and significant research is focused on developing pharmacological therapies to reverse these downstream complications. Recent trials have explored various therapeutic targets across metabolic, inflammatory, and fibrogenic pathways aimed at decreasing liver triglycerides, inflammation, lipotoxicity, and fibrosis. Some of these drugs show promise in reversing biomarkers and/or histologic markers of steatohepatitis and fibrosis, although most have been primarily studied in non-cirrhotic patients. However, in the context of the significant unmet medical need of patients with MASH-associated cirrhosis, growing interest in targeting compensated cirrhosis has prompted renewed investment in numerous early clinical and late-stage programs evaluating novel investigational agents in this population. This review summarizes current therapies under evaluation in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for MASH-related cirrhosis, highlighting drug mechanisms, outcomes, and future research directions.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in China. Early detection and diagnosis of CRC are essential for improving survival rates. However, socioeconomic factors such as regional disparities, economic conditions, and varying levels of awareness impact the uptake of screening programs. Recently, rapid advancements in non-invasive tests, including high-quality fecal immunochemical tests and the emergence of stool and blood biomarkers for CRC, have facilitated improvements in early detection and diagnosis. Additionally, image-enhanced endoscopy, a group of advanced imaging technologies, has been developed to assist in the early identification of colorectal lesions, including narrow band imaging and linked-color imaging. The emergence of artificial intelligence also offers promising opportunities to improve early diagnosis and treatment of CRC. This review mainly introduces screening technologies and the current status of CRC screening in China, provides an overview of CRC early detection and diagnosis, and discusses the limitations and future prospects.

Free radicals are produced in the body during normal cellular metabolic activities, and their excessive accumulation can overwhelm the natural antioxidant mechanisms. This leads to oxidative stress, which is associated with the development and progression of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as liver and kidney diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Enzymes play a significant role in maintaining a balance between antioxidants and free radicals by either enhancing the production of antioxidants or slowing down the generation of free radicals in the body. There is no up-to-date review on how antioxidant-enzyme interactions modulate the development and progression of NCDs. This review, therefore, discusses the mechanisms of antioxidant-enzyme interactions in the control of oxidative stress, as well as the implications and prospects of these interactions in the management of NCDs. Therapeutic strategies targeting antioxidant-enzyme interactions in the natural defense mechanisms of the body against oxidative stress can provide targeted benefits in the management of various NCDs. The mechanisms of interaction of some antioxidants with catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferases, thioredoxin protein, and thioredoxin reductase suggest their strong involvement in mitigating the development and progression of NCDs. Moreover, understanding the specific interactions and signaling pathways involved in antioxidant-enzyme interactions could facilitate the emergence of novel and effective therapeutic strategies for the management of NCDs and should be considered a primary goal of future studies. This study provides the necessary template, encourages discussion, and creates more opportunities for the next stage in the development of antioxidant therapies.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a harmful reaction to medications, herbs, and dietary supplements that results in liver dysfunction. Based on the distinct clinical patterns of liver damage, DILI can be categorized into hepatocellular, cholestatic, and mixed types. Hepatocellular DILI is linked to inflammation, apoptosis, and necrosis, while cholestatic DILI is commonly associated with bile plugs and, in rare cases, ductopenia. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the therapeutic agent most widely used for the treatment of cholestatic hepatopathies of diverse etiologies and has been mainly used as a supportive treatment in cholestatic DILI. In this review, we presented a more structured and systematic framework for the potential application of this hepatoprotective agent across a broader range of DILI scenarios. A MEDLINE search of the literature from 1995 to the present retrieved 41 preliminary clinical studies suggesting that UDCA may offer curative and preventive benefits for hepatocellular DILI as well. This aligns with preclinical studies in rodents, showing beneficial effects of UDCA in experimental DILI irrespective of the clinical patterns of injury involved. This could be due to the broad range of potentially beneficial effects of UDCA, which may address the various types of liver damage with different causes and mechanisms seen in all forms of DILI. UDCA’s beneficial properties include anticholestatic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-necrotic, mitochondrial protective, endoplasmic reticulum stress-relieving, and immunomodulatory effects. Controlled studies with systematic use of standardized causality assessments are eagerly awaited to properly validate the use of UDCA in DILI. Meanwhile, we hope this article helps clarify and systematize the use of this versatile and safe hepatoprotective medication for different types of liver toxicity.