ABSTRACT Interstitial lung disease (ILD) encompasses a complex group of disorders primarily characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the pulmonary interstitium. Affected individuals often present with dyspnea and cough, and their quality of life is markedly reduced. Given the limitations of current health management strategies, there is growing interest in exploring adjunctive supportive approaches based on functional foods. Ginseng, a traditional medicinal and edible plant, has a long history of consumption in East Asia. Studies have shown that ginseng and its major bioactive constituents, such as ginsenosides, exert beneficial regulatory effects on lung health by modulating key signaling pathways, including TGF‐β/Smad, NF‐κB, Nrf2/HO‐1, and MAPK. These effects primarily involve health‐promoting properties such as anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. From the perspective of food science and nutrition, this article systematically reviews the regulatory mechanisms through which ginseng and its active components influence pathological processes related to ILD. It also discusses its traditional use as a functional food, dietary exposure, safety, and intake considerations. Current evidence from preclinical studies and early‐stage population‐based investigations supports the potential of ginseng as a supportive dietary component for maintaining lung health. Future research should include well‐designed nutritional studies to clarify its specific role in health management and to establish appropriate intake regimens.
Jiahui Li, Gui Di, Haijiao Wang et al.· Food Science & Nutrition· 0 citations
Bone scaffolds represent a common surgical approach for repairing bone defects, and the clinical demand for effective graft substitutes remains high due to the limited availability of autologous bone. Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely used as load‐bearing implants; however, their inherent biological inertness hinders early osteogenesis and delays osseointegration. With advances in bone tissue engineering, biofunctionalized 3D‐printed porous Ti scaffolds have emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations. Among the various biomaterials investigated, silk fibroin (SF) has attracted considerable interest owing to its excellent biocompatibility, controllable biodegradability, tunable mechanical properties, and intrinsic capacity for drug loading. The integration of SF onto Ti scaffolds through coatings, hydrogels, or composite structures mitigates the biological inertness of Ti and confers additional functionalities, such as controlled drug release, osteogenic stimulation, and immunomodulation. This review summarizes the structural characteristics, drug‐delivery behavior, and degradation mechanisms of SF, and highlights current evidence on its osteogenic and anti‐inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo when combined with porous Ti scaffolds. Furthermore, we discuss emerging multifunctional strategies, including composite coatings incorporating hydroxyapatite, metal‐ion doping, and SF‐based hydrogel systems. Overall, this review provides comprehensive insights into SF‐enhanced Ti scaffolds for next‐generation bone repair.
Jia-Jun Liu, Yan Wang, Xin Li et al.· Macromolecular Bioscience· 0 citations
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