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Scutellaria barbata has a long history of medical use in Traditional Chinese Medicine for removing heat and toxic material, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and inducing diuresis to reduce edema. Recent pharmacology investigations have provided evidence for its anti-cancer, bacteriostasis, anti-virus, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation and immunity enhancement properties. The efficacy of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis has unique advantages in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. A total of 84 compounds have been isolated from S. barbata and are characterized mainly as flavonoids, diterpenoids, followed by polysaccharide, volatile oil and steroids. Peer-reviewed articles published over the last few years were gathered by consulting the databases PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, and Chinese Herbal Classics. This review mainly focuses on the pharmacologically active constituents isolated from S. barbata，which have been subjected to in vitro and/or in vivo studies. Although, the chemical components, pharmacological activities, toxicology, clinical applications and mechanisms of action of S. barbata have been investigated, many constituents remain unknown. Further investigations are required to investigate the medicinal properties of S. barbata.

All forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) eventually lead to renal fibrosis irrespective of its origin. It is generally characterized by an excessive accumulation and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and to date, no ideal treatment has been established. Bian-Zheng-Lun-Zhi (syndrome differentiation and treatment), a classic feature of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a unique method used to diagnose and treat the pathology of a disease. Zheng (syndrome) is used to demonstrate the nature of a disease completely in an extensive and specific manner. Chinese herbal formulas are determined according to TCM theory and this review highlights these formulas and suggests a possible mechanism for their use in the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Cattle encephalon glycoside and ignotin (CEGI) injection is a compound preparation formed by a combination of muscle extract from healthy rabbits and brain gangliosides from cattle, and it is generally used as a neuroprotectant in the treatment of central and peripheral nerve injuries. However, there is still a need for high-level clinical evidence from large samples to support the use of CEGI. We therefore carried out a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study in which we recruited 319 patients with acute cerebral infarction from 16 centers in China from October 2013 to May 2016. The patients were randomized at a 3:1 ratio into CEGI (n = 239; 155 male, 84 female; 61.2 ± 9.2 years old) and placebo (n = 80; 46 male, 34 female; 63.2 ± 8.28 years old) groups. All patients were given standard care once daily for 14 days, including a 200 mg aspirin enteric-coated tablet and 20 mg atorvastatin calcium, both taken orally, and intravenous infusion of 250-500 mL 0.9% sodium chloride containing 40 mg sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate. Based on conventional treatment, patients in the CEGI and placebo groups were given 12 mL CEGI or 12 mL sterile water, respectively, in an intravenous drip of 250 mL 0.9% sodium chloride (2 mL/min) once daily for 14 days. According to baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, patients in the two groups were divided into mild and moderate subgroups. Based on the modified Rankin Scale results, the rate of patients with good outcomes in the CEGI group was higher than that in the placebo group, and the rate of disability in the CEGI group was lower than that in the placebo group on day 90 after treatment. In the CEGI group, neurological deficits were decreased on days 14 and 90 after treatment, as measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and the Barthel Index. Subgroup analysis revealed that CEGI led to more significant improvements in moderate stroke patients. No drug-related adverse events occurred in the CEGI or placebo groups. In conclusion, CEGI may be a safe and effective treatment for acute cerebral infarction patients, especially for moderate stroke patients. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Peking University Third Hospital, China (approval No. 2013-068-2) on May 20, 2013, and registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration No. ChiCTR1800017937).

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the main causes of renal fibrosis and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy has a long history of usage in a clinical setting and its usage is increasing. ErHuang Formula (EHF), a Chinese herbal compound, has been clinically used in treating DN for more than 30 years. However, its mechanism of action is still unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of EHF on renal fibrosis in a DN rat model and explore its underlying mechanism. The DN rat model was established by high-sugar-fat diet combined with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), and EFH extract (4, 2, 1 g/kg d−1) was administered orally for 8 weeks. The biochemical parameters (blood glucose, weight, Scr, BUN, UA, U-Alb and UAE) were analyzed. The pathological changes in renal tissue were observed by histological staining with H&E and Masson. The effect of EHF on the proliferation of NRK-49F cells was examined by CCK-8 assay and the levels of several inflammation and fibrosis related cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, Collagen I/III, MMP2/9) in serum and NRK-49F cell culture supernatants were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). The mRNA levels of CXCL6, CXCR1, Collagen I/III, MMP2/9 in renal tissue were also measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Furthermore, the protein expression of PCNA, Collagen I/III, MMP2/9, CXCL6, CXCR1, p-STAT3, STAT3 in renal tissue and NRK-49F cells were determined by western blot. EHF improved the abnormal biochemical parameters and ameliorated the abnormal histology and fibrosis of renal tissue in a dose-dependent manner. EHF inhibited NRK-49F proliferation and decreased the expressions of inflammation and fibrosis related factors both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, the levels of Collagen I/III, PCNA, MMP2/9 and p-STAT3 were positively correlated with CXCL6. The amelioration of renal fibrosis in DN by EHF is related to CXCL6/JAK/STAT3 signal pathway, which is associated with inflammation and fibrosis of the tissue. These findings may have clinical implications for the treatment of DN.

Two C/ZnO nanocomposites and one C/Zn nanocomposite were synthesized by thermal decomposition of the prepared isostructural metal–organic frameworks with slight differences in their nature. The precursors of the C/ZnO and the C/Zn nanocomposites contain phenyl derivatives in oxidized or reduced state and naphthyl derivative, respectively. The titled nanocomposites consist of the high porosity, 902, 1117 and 583 m2/g, respectively. The as-prepared nanocomposites have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD) analysis and elemental mapping. The size and morphology of the samples were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The results indicated that the synthesized porous nanocomposites as the semiconductor materials displayed good electrical conductivity with different specific resistances.

Isorhamnetin is one of the most important active ingredients in the fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides L. and the leaves of Ginkgo biloba L., which possesses extensive pharmacological activities. At present, there have been numerous investigations on isorhamnetin, which has the effects of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, organ protection, prevention of obesity, etc. The related mechanisms involve the regulation of PI3K/AKT/PKB, NF-κB, MAPK and other signaling pathways as well as the expression of related cytokines and kinases. Isorhamnetin has a high value of development and application. However, the investigations on its mechanism of action are limited and lack of detailed scientific validation. The manuscript reviewed the pharmacological effects of isorhamnetin and related mechanisms of action for the development of its medicinal properties further.

Thermal errors cause serious dimensional errors to a workpiece in precision machining. A feed drive system generates more heat through friction at contact areas, such as the Linear encoder and the guide, thereby causing thermal expansion which affects machining accuracy. Therefore, the thermal deformation of a Linear encoder is one of the most important objects to consider for high-accuracy machine tools. This paper analyzes the increase of the temperature and the thermal deformation of a Linear encoder feed drive system. During temperature variation is measured by using thermocouples , meanwhile, the thermal error of the guide is measured by a laser interferometer. A thermal error model is proposed in this study by using back propagation neural network (BPN). An experiment is carried out to verify the thermal error of the guide under different feed rates and environmental temperature.

Guidance mechanism such as fast tool servo (FTS) is widely used in precision machining, in the current design method, either the analytic solution or topological optimization, the dynamic feature, namely the stiffness, inertial and frequency, are subjected to the shape and sizing of the designed structure, especially sensitive to the geometric feature of flexure hinge, which caused high machining precision and high cost. In this proceeding, a novel structural design idea for guidance mechanism type micro motion stages based on tension stiffening which allow the dynamic feature adjustable is presented. Firstly, the design of micro motion stages is reviewed on both analytic and topological optimization, and the advantage of the two kinds of commonly used flexure type, the notch type and leaf spring type, are compared, and the latter is chosen as an idea type for guidance mechanism for its uniform deformation and none stress concentration. Secondly, tension stiffening using in the stringed instruments is described, in which the length, tension and linear density is discussed to change the pitch (vibration frequency and amplitude) of the stringed instruments. Finally, a novel structural design idea origin from stringed instruments is discussed, with the assumption that the leaf spring type flexure hinge are symmetrical layout on both sides of the micro motion stage, the stiffness and frequency change rate are also discussed. A numerical method is used to show the efficiency of the presented method.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a theoretical based system and is completely different from western medicine and states that numerous diseases, especially chronic diseases, are cured or relieved. "Zheng" (syndrome) is a summarization of the pathological changes which take place during the different stages of the development of a disease, including its location, cause and nature as well as the state of both Xie-qi (pathogenic factors) and Zheng-qi (healthy energy). Compared to a single symptom, syndrome can demonstrate the nature of a disease more extensively, completely and correctly. However, it is difficult to compare "Zheng" to the western medicine theory, which is based on scientific evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of a specific disease. Estrogen deficiency is a major pathogenetic factor in bone loss after menopause and oophorectomy with the subsequent risk of developing osteoporosis. According to TCM theory, the kidney stores essence and this can transform into bone marrow to nourish the bones, strenghthen the skeleton by promoting growth and repair. The kidney deficiency can decrease the estrogen level adjusted by the gonadal axis, causing osteoporosis. Traditional Chinese medicines tonifying the kidney can significantly enhance the level of estrogen to alleviate osteoporosis. In combination with other evidence, we further deduce that the syndrome as defined within TCM has a similar pathological mechanism to that defined by western medicine. If TCM theory is to be understood and accepted, and further fused with the western medicine theory, the micro pathological basis of TCM syndrome must be investigated extensively, which will lead to bridging the two theories together. The fusion of TCM with western medicine will pay more attention to analyzing the common nature and difference of disease and syndrome. This paper reviews the way forward for new translational advances.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world. Previous studies have investigated the altered expression of regenerating islet-derived 3 alpha (REG3A) in various cancers. We aimed at exploring the biological function and the underlying molecular mechanism of REG3A in CRC. In this study, REG3A was found elevated in CRC compared with normal tissues. Further, high REG3A expression level was correlated with bigger tumor size, poorer differentiation, higher tumor stage and lower survival rate. Knockdown of REG3A in two CRC cell lines, LOVO and RKO, significantly inhibited cell proliferation, and increased cells population in G1 phase and cell apoptotic rate. We also found that down-regulation of REG3A in CRC cells notably inhibited cell migration and invasion. Gene set enrichment analysis on The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset showed that Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) DNA replication and base excision repair (BER) pathways were correlative with the REG3A expression, which was further confirmed in CRC cells by Western blot. Moreover, we confirmed the interaction of REG3A and fibronectin in CRC cells. We also found that there was a positive correlation between REG3A expression level and the AKT and ERK1/2 phosphorylation status. These collective data indicated that REG3A overexpression promotes CRC tumorigenesis by activating AKT and ERK1/2 pathways. REG3A may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for CRC.

Aims The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Erhuang Formula (EHF) and explore its pharmacological mechanisms on adenine-induced chronic renal failure (CRF). Materials and methods The compounds in EHF were analyzed by HPLC/MS. Adenine-induced CRF rats were administrated by EHF. The effects were evaluated by renal function examination and histology staining. Immunostaining of some proteins related cell adhesion was performedin renal tissues, including E-cadherin, β-catenin, fibronectin and laminin. The qRT-PCR was carried out determination of gene expression related inflammation and fibrosis including NF-κB, TNF-α, TGF-β1, α-SMA and osteopontin (OPN). Results Ten compounds in EHF were identified including liquiritigenin, farnesene, vaccarin, pachymic acid, cycloastragenol, astilbin, 3,5,6,7,8,3′,4′-heptemthoxyflavone, physcion, emodin and curzerene. Abnormal renal function and histology had significant improvements by EHF treatment. The protein expression of β-catenin, fibronectin and laminin were significantly increased and the protein expression of E-cadherin significantly decreased in CRF groups. However, these protein expressions were restored to normal levels in EHF group. Furthermore, low expression of PPARγ and high expression of NF-κB, TNF-α, TGF-β1, α-SMA and OPN were substantially restored by EHF treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions EHF ameliorated renal damage in adenine-induced CRF rats, and the mechanisms might involve in the inhibition of inflammatory and fibrotic responses and the regulation of PPARγ, NF-κB and TGF-β signaling pathways.

This paper studies the development of cutting strategy in the fabrication of freeform surface in ultra-precision raster milling (UPRM). The tasks of developing cutting strategy in freeform machining involve in the selection of cutting parameters and the planning of tool paths. An integrated system is built in this study to develop the cutting strategy, automatically generate NC program, simulate the tool paths and machining process, as well as make predictions for the machining time and the surface quality of the raster milled freeform surface. Experiment is conducted to verify the developed system and the experimental results show that the system is applicable for the machining of freeform surface in UPRM. This study therefore contributes to avoiding the need to conduct expensive and time consuming trial cutting tests to ensure the product quality in the freeform machining.

The Fast Tool Servo (FTS) is widely used for the machining of micro-structures, especially for optical micro lens array. The working principle of FTS is that a voice coil motor or a piezoelectric (PZT) actuator is used as the driving elements, and the flexure hinges are developed as the guide mechanisms. In addition, an optical encoder is applied to measure the displacement. However, the existing design of FTS is too complicated and expensive. One reason is that the stroke of the FTS for the fabrication of optical micro lens array is only a few hundred micrometers, while its precision reaches to nanometric range, thus the optical encoder in not applicable. On the other hand, there exists sluggish and creep for piezoelectric materials, which makes the control of displacement difficult. This paper develops a displacement sensor embedded voice coil motor. In the design, the driving element is ampere force of the voice coil motor which is a linear ratio to the input current. Both the two covers are thin plates which serve as compliant mechanism by supporting the deformation at the Radial direction and provide linear stiffness in the axial direction. Therefore, the output displacement is proportional to the ampere force. The existence of external force affects the actual displacement, an embedded capacitor serves as displacement sensor will detects the real displacement, and the external force can be estimated by the current and measured displacement, which makes the motion control easy. At the same time, a multiphysics model of the developed FTS is built in this study by using finite element method and the displacement control under different cutting force is studied. The experimental results show that the developed FTS is efficient for achieving short stroke with high precision.

t presents the parallel mechanism and variable acceleration control method, which is composed of slider, connecting rod, moving platform and linear guide etc. The motion platform is supported by three connecting rods through hinging, the other end of the connecting rods are respectively hinged with two sliders. Among them two pairs of connecting rod, two sliders and the moving platform formed a symmetric structure that is the so called Parallel Mechanism. The third connecting rod is parallel to one of two connecting rods, so that the two parallel connecting rods, slide block and the moving platform formed a parallelogram structure, it makes that the moving platform is always parallel to liner guiderail in the process of movement. By controlling the two sliders moving in the way of variable acceleration, it can make the trajectory curve, speed curve and acceleration curve of the moving platform are continuous, smooth, so impact and vibration of the moving platform is limited in the operation process.

This paper studies auxiliary electromagnetic damping system in the conventional machine tools. Through the establishment of auxiliary active magnetic actuator array and the application of optimal control, dynamic control of additional stiffness and damping are achieved, so some active interventions can be applied to reduce the chatter of traditional machine tool spindle. Thus it causes to lower the radial vibration amplitude of the spindle at work and improve the machining accuracy. The experiments show that this system can reduce more than 88.06% spindle radial amplitude, and it can actually improve the precision to about1um, so the system has enormous potential for low-cost upgrade of traditional machine.

Ultra-precision raster milling (UPRM) can directly achieve the fabrication of threedimensional non-axisymmetric freeform components with nanometeric surface finish and submicrometric form accuracy. During the past few years, a lot of research on computerized numerical control (CNC) machining technologies has been conducted; however, little of this research makes any contribution to UPRM. This paper studies the mechanism of scallop height generation for UPRM. Through analyzing the cutting edge locus and the scallop height generation mechanism, a model for feed-intervals and for raster-interval scallop height generation, are presented. Parameters such as selection of feed direction (vertical cutting and horizontal cutting), feed rate, spindle speed, tool nose radius, swing distance, feed length and raster distance have been taken into consideration in the scallop generation models.

The fabrication of high-quality optical microstructural surfaces is based on fast tool servo (FTS) machining. It makes use of auxiliary piezo-electric driven servos to rapidly actuate the diamond tool with a fine resolution and a sufficiently high bandwidth for machining optical microstructures with submicrometer form accuracy and a nanometric surface finish without the need for any subsequent post processing. However, the achievement of a superior mirror finish and form accuracy still depends largely on the experience and skills of the machine operators, acquired through an expensive trial-and-error approach to using new materials, new mircostructural surface designs, or new machine tools. As a result, this paper, a model-based simulation system is presented for the optimization of surface quality in the FTS machining of optical microstructures. Preliminary experimental work and the results are also presented.

Recently, the high quality and high productivity in fabrication of freeform optics has been of primary interest in manufacturing industries, such as die and mould manufacturing, aerospace part manufacturing, and so forth. However, the fabrication of freeform optics is currently expensive and vastly complex. Ultra-precision raster milling can produce non-rotational symmetric surfaces with sub-micrometric form accuracy and nanometric surface finish without the need for any subsequent post polishing. While, there is little research work focus on this kind of machining method. This paper presents a framework of a tool path generation system for freeform surface ultra-precision raster milling. This system includes model of freeform optics, tool path generator, interference monitor and an optimization model of machining parameters. The tool path generation system can generate interference free and optimal tool path for machining freeform surfaces. Some simulation results have been presented to illustrate the performance of the system.

Nowadays faceted reflector design has become popular in automotive illumination systems. The advantage of a compound surface enables it to achieve the required hot spot intensity by directing more than 60% of the generated light towards the road, thereby largely illuminate the area through the aperture. The research is oriented to fabricating the mold insert on ultra-precision raster milling (Freeform 705G). In this paper, the tool path generation method for automotive headlamp reflectors is studied, and a practical gouging detection and avoidance algorithm is proposed. The surface roughness and form accuracy (peak-to-valley height) are then calculated theoretically using mathematical formulae. Through the tool path generation of a small but representative surface patch with a gap, a possible way is finally found to generate the tool path for such a class of freeform surface with special equipment.

A general and practical synthetic route to 2-amino-2-chromenes in water in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr) as catalyst is described under ultrasound irradiation.

Hypertrophic scar is a complication of wound healing and has a high recurrence rate which can lead to significant abnormity in aesthetics and functions. To date, no ideal treatment method has been established. Meanwhile, the underlying mechanism of hypertrophic scarring has not been clearly defined. Although a large amount of scientific research has been reported on the use of medicinal plants as a natural source of treatment for hypertrophic scarring, it is currently scattered across a wide range of publications. Therefore, a systematic summary and knowledge for future prospects are necessary to facilitate further medicinal plant research for their potential use as antihypertrophic scar agents. A bibliographic investigation was accomplished by focusing on medicinal plants which have been scientifically testedin vitroand/orin vivoand proved as potential agents for the treatment of hypertrophic scars. Although the chemical components and mechanisms of action of medicinal plants with antihypertrophic scarring potential have been investigated, many others remain unknown. More investigations and clinical trials are necessary to make use of these medical plants reasonably and phytotherapy is a promising therapeutic approach against hypertrophic scars.

Objective To find an effective study method to master the nursing procedures of acupoints that will be applied in the clinical nursing work. Methods Based on the Chinese medicine hospital of traditional Chinese medicine nursing guidelines (trial version) published by the bureau of traditional Chinese medicine and given full expression to the advantages of the Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupoints map was improved and was applied in clinical work in August 2011 in our hospital. The nursing operation workload and learning effect in the continuity two years were compared by retrospective investigation combined with questionnaire survey. Results 1, The operation workload increases obviously and the overall growth rate in five work targets is 88.66%, after improving acupoints map of TCM nursing. 2, There are significant differences (P < 0.001) on learning interest, learning degree, memory speed, knowledge of diseas, method of operation and clinical application in our comparison.Conclusion The improved acupoints map can inspire the learning interest of the nursing stuff, help them to master common nursing acupoints of traditional Chinese medicine quickly and apply it to clinical disease. There are good social and economic benefits of this method, so it is worth promoting.

Cervical cancer, the second most common gynecological malignant tumor seriously harmful to the health of women, remains a leading cause of cancer-related death for women in developing countries. Although a large amount of scientific research has been reported on plants as a natural source of treatment agents for cervical cancer, it is currently scattered across various publications. A systematic summary and knowledge of future prospects are necessary to facilitate further plant studies for anti-cervical cancer agents.This review generalizes and analyzes the current knowledge on the anti-cervical cancer properties and mechanisms involved for plants, and discusses the future prospects for the application of these plants.This review mainly focuses on the plants which have been scientifically tested in vitro and/or in vivo and proved as potential agents for the treatment of cervical cancer. The failure of conventional chemotherapy to reduce mortality as well as serious side effects involved makes natural products ideal candidates for exerting synergism and attenuation effects on anticancer drugs. Although the chemical components and mechanisms of action of natural plants with anti-cervical cancer potential have been investigated, many others remain unknown. More investigations and clinical trials are necessary to make use of these medical plants reasonably.

ObjectiveTo examine whether serum uric acid (SUA) is associated with 2-hour postload glucose (2-h PG) in Chinese with impaired fasting plasma glucose (IFG) and/or HbA1c (IA1C).Research design and methodsAnthropometric and biochemical examinations, such as SUA concentration, were performed in 3763 individuals from all the villages in Baqiao County, China. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted in 1197 Chinese with prediabetes as having IFG (110 ≤ fasting plasma glucose [FPG] ResultsThe present study included 1197 participants with IFG and/or IA1C (mean age 56.5 ± 10.3 years; 50.6% men). In multivariate linear regression, after adjustment for gender, age, smoking and drinking, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), lipid profiles, logarithmic transformed C-reactive protein (log-CRP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR), FPG and HbA1c, with a 1-mg/dl increment of SUA, 2-h PG increased by 5.04 ± 0.72 (PConclusionsSUA is significantly associated with 2-h PG in Chinese with IFG and/or IA1C.

Background: Geranium carolinianum L. (Geraniaceae) is widely used for a variety of diseases including herpetic keratitis, eczema, rheumatalgia etc. However, there is lack of relevant scientific research. Materials and Methods: GCE (125, 250, 500mg/kg body weight) was evaluated for its pharmacological properties by using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the hot plate test and the fresh egg white-induced paw edema in rats. The dimethylbenzene-induced mouse inflammation model and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat fever model were employed and the acute toxicity of GCE was also assessed. Results: The Geranium carolinianum aqueous extract (GCE) significantly inhibited the writhing responses in mice, increased reaction time of mice in the hot plate test, and suppressed the fresh egg white-induced paw edema in rats and the dimethylbenzene-induced ear edema in mice whilst attenuating LPS-induced fever in rats in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, no deaths were observed when mice were orally administered GCE up to 14 g/kg body weight (approximately 553 times of clinical dose). Conclusions: GCE possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities and is non-toxic at the doses used. The results of this study support the clinical use and effectiveness of Geranium carolinianum as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent in folk medicine.

Over the past decades, a number of phytochemicals have been reported to possess potent pharmacological effects. Saikosaponins represent a group of oleanane derivatives, usually as glucosides, which are commonly found in medicinal plants Bupleurum spp., which have been used as traditional Chinese medicine for more than 1,000 years in China. Emerging evidence suggests that saikosaponins have many pharmacological effects, including sedation, anticonvulsant, antipyretic, antiviral, immunity, anti-inflammation, antitumor properties, protecting liver and kidney and so on. The present review provides a comprehensive summary and analysis of the pharmacological properties of saikosaponins, supporting the potential uses of saikosaponins as a medicinal agent.