Xiangyang Li

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a unique value in the contemporary healthcare system, due to its holistic view and evidence-based philosophy of treatment. However, the intricate composition of TCM constituents, the multifaceted metabolic pathways involved, and the ambiguity of molecular targets have constrained the elucidation and modernization of TCM. These challenges are inherently difficult to resolve using conventional in vivo and in vitro experimental models. By integrating multidisciplinary technologies such as biomaterials engineering (e.g., bionic hydrogel scaffolds), microfluidic chips, and 3D printing, engineered organoid technology constructs three-dimensional microtissue models with organ-specific structures and functions, which has demonstrated significant advantages in disease modeling and drug discovery and development. Organoid’s bioengineered microenvironment precisely mimics the cellular heterogeneity and dynamic physiological processes of human organs, reproducing complex pathological states. Furthermore, multidisciplinary integration (such as artificial intelligence, multi-organ chip series, multi-omics, and nanoparticle technology) enables systematic analysis of TCM’s multi-component, multi-target effects. This paper explores organoid engineering techniques to construct a visualizable, quantifiable, and verifiable in vitro platform. It aims to address core challenges in TCM—including complex compositions, unclear metabolic pathways, and undefined target sites—offering specific solutions. This approach provides a new research paradigm for transitioning TCM from evidence-based to precision medicine and advancing the modernization of TCM.

Ralstonia eutropha H16, a metabolically versatile bacterium, has gained prominence as a microbial platform for sustainable bioproduction. While its capabilities in synthesizing single-cell proteins and biodegradable materials are well documented, comprehensive strain-level safety evaluations remain insufficient for food-grade applications. This study systematically assessed the safety of R. eutropha H16 through genomic, phenotypic, and toxicological analyzes. Genomic analyzes revealed the absence or minimal presence of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes, aligning with microbiological safety standards. Phenotypic investigations demonstrated a limited gastric fluid tolerance (pH 2.5, survival rate 25.70% after 3 h) and intestinal fluid persistence (pH 8, 44.67% viability after 3 h), coupled with an exceptional bile salt tolerance (0.2% w/v). Antioxidant assays confirmed the fermentation broth specifically scavenges DPPH free radicals (14.60 ± 1.24 μg Trolox/mL), whereas bacterial suspensions and cell-free supernatants exhibited a strong hydroxyl radical scavenging (>90 U/mL) and superoxide anion inhibition (>100 U/L). Acute toxicity testing indicated no mortality or histopathological abnormalities, with an LD₅₀ value exceeding 1 × 10¹¹ CFU/kg. Subacute toxicity studies (28-day, 1 × 10⁸–1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/kg) revealed no significant effects on growth, hematology, or organ function. Minor alterations in serum biochemistry might be attributed to physiological adaptation. Subacute exposure induced transient serum ALT fluctuations without hepatorenal dysfunction, while maintaining hematological parameters within physiological ranges. Collectively, these results substantiate the safety of R. eutropha H16 for food-related applications while underscoring the necessity of strain-specific risk assessments for industrial microbial platforms.

The scarcity of robust models and therapeutic options for rare diseases continues to hamper their preclinical investigation. Traditional animal models and two-dimensional cell cultures are limited in their ability to replicate human heredity-associated traits and complex pathological features. Organoids-on-a-chip approaches open up new frontiers in rare-disease research via the integration of organ chips and organoid technology. This integrative strategy offers immense opportunities for the mimicry of disease-related traits, the clarification of the mechanisms underlying disease, and the prediction of treatment responses in a highly human-related manner. This forward-looking perspective suggests organoids on chips are transformative tools for parsing rare-disease pathogenesis, accelerating therapeutic discovery, and bridging the gap between basic research and precision medicine.