Edible Chinese medicine is a significant part of traditional Chinese medicine. With the concept of "disease prevention", it can be used in all stages of epidemic prevention and control. This paper introduced the current status of anti-epidemic applications of edible medicines in detoxifying by heat-clearing or blood-cooling, removing dampness and turbidity, Qi and Yin tonifying, etc. In addition, new suggestions and strategies were provided for the professionals in this aera.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of Bajitianwan on preventing D-galactose (D-gal)-induced osteoblast bone loss. Methods Osteoblasts isolated from 24 h old Wistar rats were injured by D-gal and intervened with Bajitianwan extract. The osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation were determined by MTT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), respectively. The cell reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by DCFH-DA fluorescent probes. The expression of cellular oxidation-related protein nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), protein kinase B (AKT), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) were detected by Western blotting. The intranuclear expression of Nrf2 protein was measured by immunofluorescence. Results Bajitianwan extract had significantly increased the osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation, and significantly reduced the intracellular ROS level. Bajitianwan extract had activated the PI3K/AKT pathway via activating the phosphorylation of AKT in osteoblasts, and promoted NQO1 and HO-1 expression. In addition, Bajitianwan had significantly promoted the expression of Nrf2 in the nucleus of osteoblasts, activating Nrf2 signaling pathway, and further promoted bone formation. Conclusion This study confirmed that Bajitianwan could prevent D-gal injured osteoblastic bone loss for the first time. The mechanism might be related to the regulation of oxidative stress associated PI3K/AKT and Nrf2 signaling pathway.