1.Role of VEGF Signaling Pathway in Pathological Mechanism of Colorectal Cancer and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Qiuning LIU ; Yutian ZHU ; Yun XU ; Yang YE ; Xiaoqiang JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):289-296
Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from the epithelial cells of the colon and rectum. It has the third highest incidence and the second highest mortality rate among malignant tumors worldwide. With the rapid development of the economy and the increasing Westernization of dietary habits in China, its incidence in China has been rising year by year. Over the past decade, despite the introduction of numerous treatment methods for colorectal cancer, the efficacy of existing therapies remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become a major focus in the treatment of colorectal cancer due to its advantages of multi-target, multi-pathway mechanisms and low toxicity and side effects. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important angiogenic factor that promotes blood vessel formation, providing nutrients and oxygen for tumor growth. It also increases vascular permeability, allowing tumor cells to easily pass through the blood vessel wall into other tissues, thereby facilitating metastasis. Several studies have shown that TCM can inhibit tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, promote tumor cell apoptosis, and inhibit the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by acting on the VEGF signaling pathway, thereby delaying tumor growth. In recent years, research in this field has been rapidly updated, but there is a lack of relevant summaries, making subsequent literature searches inconvenient. Therefore, this article focuses on the physiological functions of the VEGF signaling pathway, its role in the occurrence of colorectal cancer, and the intervention of TCM on VEGF, providing a supplement and summary of relevant information to offer a reference for future research in this area.
2.Exploring Role of Energy Dyshomeostasis in Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Fatty Liver Disease Panvasculopathy from Theory of Liver Being Substantial Yin and Functional Yang
Jing CUI ; Qian XU ; Wenting WANG ; Mengmeng ZHU ; Yanfei LIU ; Yue LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):227-233
Liver being substantial Yin and functional Yang maintain normal function of Qi, blood and meridians. In clinical practice, it is often found that pan-vascular lesions with atherosclerosis as the predominant pathological change often co-occur with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD). MAFLD leads to increased risk and worse prognosis for many pan-vascular diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Dysregulation of energy homeostasis disrupts the hepatic homeostasis of body use, and representative drugs to improve metabolism, such as metformin, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, not only have a clear cardiovascular benefit, potential improvement of MAFLD has also been demonstrated. The liver stores blood and the heart pumps blood, and liver diseases affect the heart, that's why the unsmoothness of vessels appears. So the treatment should from the standpoint of liver, restoring liver function, soothing the liver and nourishing heart, activating blood and dredging meridian. It is of great significance to explore in depth the pathogenesis and treatment of pan-vascular lesions caused by MAFLD, and to restore the energy homeostasis by adjusting the balance of liver Yin and Yang.
3.Exploring Role of Energy Dyshomeostasis in Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Fatty Liver Disease Panvasculopathy from Theory of Liver Being Substantial Yin and Functional Yang
Jing CUI ; Qian XU ; Wenting WANG ; Mengmeng ZHU ; Yanfei LIU ; Yue LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):227-233
Liver being substantial Yin and functional Yang maintain normal function of Qi, blood and meridians. In clinical practice, it is often found that pan-vascular lesions with atherosclerosis as the predominant pathological change often co-occur with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD). MAFLD leads to increased risk and worse prognosis for many pan-vascular diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Dysregulation of energy homeostasis disrupts the hepatic homeostasis of body use, and representative drugs to improve metabolism, such as metformin, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, not only have a clear cardiovascular benefit, potential improvement of MAFLD has also been demonstrated. The liver stores blood and the heart pumps blood, and liver diseases affect the heart, that's why the unsmoothness of vessels appears. So the treatment should from the standpoint of liver, restoring liver function, soothing the liver and nourishing heart, activating blood and dredging meridian. It is of great significance to explore in depth the pathogenesis and treatment of pan-vascular lesions caused by MAFLD, and to restore the energy homeostasis by adjusting the balance of liver Yin and Yang.
4.Efficacy of Differential Dosage of Pueraria in Gegen Qinliantang on Acute Enteritis Model in Mice
Ruiying ZHANG ; Ping WANG ; Di ZHANG ; Hongfa CHENG ; Ying ZHANG ; Zhu DENG ; Hui FENG ; Min LIU ; Yang TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):197-204
ObjectiveTo investigate whether there are differences in the efficacy of Gegen Qinliantang with different contents of Puerariae Lobatae Radix on the acute enteritis (AE) model mice and provide a scientific basis for the interpretation of Gegen Qinliantang in the treatment of "Xie Re Li". MethodsA total of 112 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a blank group,model group,single Puerariae Lobatae Radix group,non-Puerariae Lobatae Radix group,regular dose Gegen Qinliantang group (regular dose group),half-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group,and doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group, with 16 mice in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the colon tissue. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of ZO-1 (a protein in the tight junction) and Occludin in the colon tissue, as well as the changes of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). ResultsCompared with the blank group,the DAI scores of the mice in the model group were significantly higher (P<0.05),and the histopathological sections of their colon tissues showed mucosal damage,glandular atrophy,disordered arrangement,and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration,and the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin proteins in their colon tissues was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). The expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β was significantly up-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group,the DAI scores of mice in all dosing groups decreased significantly (P<0.05),with the most significant effect in the regular dose group. After 7 d of drug administration,the regular dose group had the best impact on the repair of colonic mucosa in the AE mouse model. The regular dose group significantly down-regulated the expression of TNF-α (P<0.05) and significantly up-regulated the expression of ZO-1 protein (P<0.05). The doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group significantly down-regulated the expression of IL-1β protein (P<0.01),and there was no significant difference between all dosing groups and the model group in terms of the expression of Occludin protein. After 14 d of drug administration,the best effect on the repair of colonic mucosa in the AE mouse model was observed in the doubled dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group. All groups except the non-Puerariae Lobatae Radix group significantly down-regulated the expression of TNF-α (P<0.01). Meanwhile,the regular dose group and doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group significantly elevated the expression level of Occludin protein (P<0.01). The doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group also significantly inhibited the expression of IL-1β protein (P<0.05) and up-regulated ZO-1 protein expression (P<0.05). ConclusionGegen Qinliantang can reduce the pathological damage of colon tissue, protect the barrier function and structure of intestinal epithelial cells, and reduce the expression of inflammatory factors, so as to achieve the therapeutic effect of AE model mice. When comparing the therapeutic efficacy of Gegen Qinliantang containing different Gegen contents, Gegen Qinliantang with the proportion of the original formula of Zhongjing was the most effective in AE model mice.
5.Efficacy of Differential Dosage of Pueraria in Gegen Qinliantang on Acute Enteritis Model in Mice
Ruiying ZHANG ; Ping WANG ; Di ZHANG ; Hongfa CHENG ; Ying ZHANG ; Zhu DENG ; Hui FENG ; Min LIU ; Yang TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):197-204
ObjectiveTo investigate whether there are differences in the efficacy of Gegen Qinliantang with different contents of Puerariae Lobatae Radix on the acute enteritis (AE) model mice and provide a scientific basis for the interpretation of Gegen Qinliantang in the treatment of "Xie Re Li". MethodsA total of 112 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a blank group,model group,single Puerariae Lobatae Radix group,non-Puerariae Lobatae Radix group,regular dose Gegen Qinliantang group (regular dose group),half-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group,and doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group, with 16 mice in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the colon tissue. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of ZO-1 (a protein in the tight junction) and Occludin in the colon tissue, as well as the changes of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). ResultsCompared with the blank group,the DAI scores of the mice in the model group were significantly higher (P<0.05),and the histopathological sections of their colon tissues showed mucosal damage,glandular atrophy,disordered arrangement,and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration,and the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin proteins in their colon tissues was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). The expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β was significantly up-regulated (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the model group,the DAI scores of mice in all dosing groups decreased significantly (P<0.05),with the most significant effect in the regular dose group. After 7 d of drug administration,the regular dose group had the best impact on the repair of colonic mucosa in the AE mouse model. The regular dose group significantly down-regulated the expression of TNF-α (P<0.05) and significantly up-regulated the expression of ZO-1 protein (P<0.05). The doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group significantly down-regulated the expression of IL-1β protein (P<0.01),and there was no significant difference between all dosing groups and the model group in terms of the expression of Occludin protein. After 14 d of drug administration,the best effect on the repair of colonic mucosa in the AE mouse model was observed in the doubled dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group. All groups except the non-Puerariae Lobatae Radix group significantly down-regulated the expression of TNF-α (P<0.01). Meanwhile,the regular dose group and doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group significantly elevated the expression level of Occludin protein (P<0.01). The doubled-dose Puerariae Lobatae Radix group also significantly inhibited the expression of IL-1β protein (P<0.05) and up-regulated ZO-1 protein expression (P<0.05). ConclusionGegen Qinliantang can reduce the pathological damage of colon tissue, protect the barrier function and structure of intestinal epithelial cells, and reduce the expression of inflammatory factors, so as to achieve the therapeutic effect of AE model mice. When comparing the therapeutic efficacy of Gegen Qinliantang containing different Gegen contents, Gegen Qinliantang with the proportion of the original formula of Zhongjing was the most effective in AE model mice.
6.Current Situation,Existing Problems and Solving Strategies of the Assessment of Medical Ethics and Styles in the Examination of Doctors' Qualification
Hua GUO ; Yu HAN ; Kai REN ; Zhihao ZHOU ; Mingjie ZI ; Yujiao SONG ; Min ZHU ; Lili XYU ; Yi LI ; Tingting WANG ; Linyong YU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(12):1292-1295
This paper discussed the current education status on medical ethics and styles and the assessment condition in the examination of doctors' qualification, as well as the existing problems and potential solutions by reviewing domestic and foreign literature and summarizing the practice experience. Traditionally, medical ethics and styles have always been integrated into clinical medical practice in China. However, under the modern medical education system, it is challenged to integrate traditional education on medical ethics and styles with the rules of modern medical knowledge. By summarizing the education and assessment status of medical ethics and styles in the examination of doctors' qualification, it is found that the current examination is relatively poor in the evaluation content, and the way of evaluation is not diverse, with lack of curriculum of medical humanities. The solutions suggested are enriching relevant examination content, introducing more and comprehensive evaluation method, and establishing more medical humanities-related courses.
7.Treatment of Endometriosis from the Perspective of "Retention due to Deficiency Qi"
Yujuan ZHANG ; Youhua ZHU ; Jiajing ZHAO ; Yanan YANG ; Mengya BU ; Mengxin FANG ; Yuxiao HUANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(9):954-957
It is believed that retention due to deficient qi is an important pathogenesis of endometriosis (EMs). Deficient qi is the root of the disease, mainly manifested as spleen deficiency, while retention is the branch pathogenesis of the disease, mainly with blood stasis, complicated with constraint, phlegm, heat, toxin and other pathological factors. Therefore, it is proposed to follow the treatment principle of supplementing deficiency and unblocking stagnation, and take the methods of replenishing qi and fortifying the spleen, removing stasis and eliminating concretions. Self-made Fuzheng Huayu Formula (扶正化瘀方) is taken as the basic formula, and can be modified with the symptoms in menstrual and non-menstrual periods. Additionally, the methods of moving qi, dispelling phlegm, clearing heat, relieving toxin and others can be combined, and it is recommended to treat the root and the branch simultaneously.
8.Relationship Between Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Cardiometabolic Diseases Based on "Heart-spleen-intestine" Axis
Qian XU ; Wenting WANG ; Yiwen LI ; Jing CUI ; Mengmeng ZHU ; Yanfei LIU ; Yue LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(20):203-211
Cardiometabolic disease is a clinical syndrome with a causal relationship between metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular damage. With its global incidence and related mortality rates continually rising, it has become a major health concern worldwide. The role of the gut microbiome and its metabolic products in cardiovascular metabolic health has received widespread attention, with gut microbiota dysbiosis considered a key factor in promoting the development of cardiometabolic disease. Dysbiosis disrupts the balance of the "heart-spleen-intestine" axis, leading to dysfunction of the spleen and intestines, which triggers metabolic disorders and accelerates the progression of cardiometabolic disease. Cardiac dysfunction can also negatively affect spleen and intestinal function, leading to imbalances in the heart and spleen, disharmony in Qi and blood, and exacerbating metabolic anomalies and further dysbiosis, thus forming a vicious cycle. From a modern biological perspective, the gut microbiome and its metabolic products can influence disease progression by modulating inflammatory responses and immune imbalances, leading to endothelial dysfunction and metabolic disorders, thereby increasing the risk of cardiometabolic disease. Additionally, the article proposes strategies for managing cardiometabolic disease by regulating the gut microbiome through a combination of Chinese and western medicine approaches. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) treatment starts from the gut microbiome, using the "heart-spleen-intestine" axis as a mediator to regulate cardiovascular metabolic health, highlighting the unique advantages of TCM in targeting the gut microbiome to treat cardiometabolic disease. This article takes the TCM theory of the "heart-spleen-intestine" axis as a starting point, discusses the pivotal role played by this axis in the connection between gut microbiome dysbiosis and the development of cardiometabolic disease, aiming to provide a new perspective for the integrated traditional Chinese and western medical research on cardiometabolic disease, offering scientific evidence and practical guidance to improve the prognosis and quality of life for patients.
9.Effect of Jiuxin Pill (救心丸)on Exercise Tolerance and Quality of Life in Patients of Stable Angina Pectoris:A Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled,Multi-Center Clinical Trial
Xianliang WANG ; Mingjun ZHU ; Daimei NI ; Jianguang WU ; Yitao XUE ; Chenglong WANG ; Xiaohua DAI ; Qian LIN ; Jun LI ; Zhiqiang ZHAO ; Shuai WANG ; Yingfei BI ; Tongzuo LIU ; Zhou ZHOU ; Jingyuan MAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(24):2549-2557
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect and safety of Jiuxin Pill (救心丸) on exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP). MethodsA randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study design was used to enroll 170 patients of SAP from nine centres, which were divided into 85 patients each in the trial group and control group with 1∶1 ratio. Both groups maintained the original western medicine treatment plan, and added Jiuxin Pill or placebo respectively, 2 pills (0.05 g) each time twicely for 28 days. The main outcomes were total exercise time (TED) in the exercise treadmill test and Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores including physical limitation (PL), angina stability (AS), angina frequency (AF), treatment satisfaction (TS), and disease perception (DP). The secondary outcomes were exercise treadmill test indicators including heart rate recovery in 1 min (HRR1), metabolic equivalents (METs), maximum magnitude of ST-segment depression, and the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale, the average number of angina attacks per week, withdrawal and reduction rate of nitroglycerin, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events. Safety indicators were evaluated and the occurrence of adverse events during the trial was recorded. Data was collected before treatment, day 28±2 in treatment period, and follow-up at day 56 which is 28±2 days after treatment period finished. ResultsEighty-four and eighty-five patients respectively from trial group and control group were included to the full analysis set (FAS) and safety analysis set (SS). Compared with the group before treatment and with the control group after treatment, the trial group had higher TED, HRR1, and METs, and lower maximum magnitude of ST-segment depression and Borg rating of perceived exertion scores after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the group before treatment and with the control group after treatment and at follow-up, the total SAQ score and scores of AS, AF, TS and DP of the trial group after treatment and at follow-up elevated, while the average number of angina attacks per week and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores reduced (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the withdrawal and reduction rate of nitroglycerin between groups (P>0.05). Major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 1 case (1/84, 1.19%) in the trial group and 1 case (1/85, 1.18%) in the control group, and the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). A total of 3 cases of adverse events occurred in the trial group (3/84, 3.57%), and a total of 6 cases of adverse events occurred in the control group (6/85, 7.06%), and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between groups (P>0.05). ConclusionIn the treatment of SAP, Jiuxin Pill combined with conventional western medicine can further enhance exercise tolerance, improve quality of life, and demonstrate great safety.
10.The research of transcription factor CEBPB activates FJX1 to promote the proliferation,invasion,migration and angiogenesis of colon cancer cells
Xianglong TENG ; Xiyuan ZHU ; Wujun ZOU
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(3):35-41
Objective To explore the regulatory relationship between CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta(CEBPB)and four-jointed box kinase 1(FJX1)in colon cancer and their effect on colon cancer(CC)malignant progression and angiogenesis.Methods Bioinformatics was used to analyze the expression of FJX1 and CEBPB in CC and the regulatory relationship between them.Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was used to verify the expression of FJX1 and CEBPB in CC cells,and chromatin immunoprecipitation(CHIP)and dual luciferase assay were used to verify the binding relationship between FJX1 and CEBPB.The effects of FJX1 and CEBPB on the viability,migration,invasion and angiogenesis of CC cells were detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8),scratch test,Transwell and angiogenesis test.Results This study revealed that FJX1 was highly expressed in CC.Inhibiting the expression of FJX1 could significantly inhibit the cell viability,migration,invasion and angiogenesis of CC cells.Subsequently,we found that CEBPB was an upstream regulatory gene of FJX1,and CEBPB was highly expressed in CC.CHIP and dual luciferase experiments showed that CEBPB could bind to FJX1.The results of cell experiments showed that the transcription factor CEBPB could promote the proliferation,migration,invasion and angiogenesis of CC cells by activating FJX1.Conclusion CEBPB/FJX1 axis played a cancer-promoting role in the progression of CC,suggesting that CEBPB and FJX1 may be potential therapeutic targets for CC.

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