Section IV · Bencao sRNA Atlas

Cross-Kingdom Gene Regulation

Built by Cao et al. and Jiang et al. (Peking Union Medical College / Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences) and published in Science China Life Sciences, the Bencao sRNA Atlas connects traditional ethnobotanical medicine with modern RNA therapeutics.

73,677,287
Total sRNA Sequences
20,758,257
Unique sRNA Sequences
21,757
miRBase-Aligned miRNAs
245
Traditional Botanicals Sequenced

Genomic Scale & Profiling

  • A modified herbal extraction protocol performed RNA sequencing across 245 traditional botanical medicines, generating 73.6M total sRNA sequences.
  • Identified 20.7M unique sRNAs and cataloged 21,757 miRNAs whose profiles match known plant miRNAs in miRBase.

Cross-Kingdom Regulation

  • Computational modeling and experimental validation proved Atlas sRNAs can regulate human target genes across the entire human genome.
  • Establishes plant-derived cross-kingdom sRNAs as a major bioactive class operating alongside traditional small-molecule secondary metabolites.

The Decoctosome Delivery Engine

0.5% – 2.5%

Lipoprotein nanoparticles constituting the bulk of traditional herbal decoctions

Enzyme Shield

Decoctosomes protect herbal sRNAs from degradation during digestion

Intact Uptake

Enables cross-kingdom uptake into human blood cells & peripheral tissues

COVID-19 Clinical Validation

  • Cohort analysis of COVID-19 patients treated with Toujie Quwen (TQ) granules confirmed thousands of herbal sRNAs entering human blood cells and downregulating disease-associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
  • Screening 245 TCMs against 337 upregulated DEGs in mild COVID-19 identified 33 top effective botanicals with >50% target-gene overlap.

The Quantitative Bencao Index

A five-vector quantitative framework measuring standardized natural-product efficacy.

SMSmall-molecule active compounds
PProtein peptides
NNucleic acids (incl. cross-kingdom sRNAs)
LMNon-nucleic, non-proteinogenic large molecules
ETrace elements (Mendeleev periodic table)
8-Factor Analysis · Mitragyna speciosa
CSA abuse-liability scheduling brief for kratom alkaloids — factors, evidence matrix, and recommendation.
View Brief
✦ BEN CAO GANG · Est. 2026
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.