Multi-Technology Integration, Development Status, Challenges and Future Prospects in Full-Chain Construction of Chinese Medicinal Materials Traceability System
The full-chain traceability of Chinese medicinal materials (CMM) remains a critical bottleneck in quality control, with current systems fragmented across cultivation, processing, and distribution. This special topic reviews the integration of multiple technologies—including blockchain, IoT, AI, and spectral fingerprinting—to establish a robust traceability framework. The paper outlines the development status, highlighting pilot implementations that reduced counterfeit incidents by 32% and improved supply chain transparency. Key challenges include data interoperability, cost barriers for smallholders, and lack of standardized protocols. Future prospects emphasize real-time monitoring and predictive analytics. The issue also features 34 research articles spanning chemical constituents, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, and data mining. Notable contributions include UPLC-MS/MS metabolomics differentiating raw and steamed Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, a flexibility-ring enhanced graph neural network for molecular property prediction, and studies on anti-hepatocellular carcinoma sesquiterpenoid dimers from Inula japonica. Clinical investigations explore mechanisms of Colla Corii Asini in skin aging, Morinda officinalis iridoids in sarcopenia, and Schisandrin B in ulcerative colitis. The collection underscores the shift toward multi-omics and computational approaches in traditional medicine research.