1.Regulation of Relevant Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Intervention of Pancreatic Cancer: A Review
Quanyou ZHAO ; Conghui ZHAO ; Yu ZHANG ; Yiping FU ; Yuting LIU ; Xiaoran WANG ; Zhanzhan LI ; Mingsan MIAO ; Li BAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):280-289
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant solid tumor of the digestive system with extremely poor treatment prognosis. Although its incidence rate is low, its mortality rate is extremely high. In recent years, the number of diagnosed cases worldwide has continued to rise, making pancreatic cancer the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Currently, clinical treatment primarily relies on operation and chemotherapy to suppress tumors. However, these approaches face challenges such as suboptimal efficacy, high postoperative recurrence rates, and severe adverse reactions. Therefore, identifying safe and effective treatment modalities remains a pressing challenge for the medical community. In recent years, research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions for pancreatic cancer has increased significantly. Multiple studies have shown that single-herb TCM, TCM formulas, and their derived single compounds can regulate the levels of tumor cell signaling pathways through multiple action targets. They inhibit the development and progression of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, promoting cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, reducing cancer cell invasion and migration capabilities, regulating the cell cycle, and modulating the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, TCM has the advantages of significantly enhancing the anticancer efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and causing fewer adverse reactions. However, the specific action mechanisms by which TCM intervenes in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Further extensive research is still needed to validate the role of regulating classical signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), notch, and hedgehog in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, this paper reviewed Chinese and international studies on TCM intervention in pancreatic cancer through relevant signaling pathways in recent years, summarized the potential action mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, and provided references for related research in the future.
2.Research progress on the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine in lipid metabolism for obesity treatment via cAMP signaling pathway
Yu ZHANG ; Xiaoran WANG ; Yiping FU ; Yuting LIU ; Quanyou ZHAO ; Linna CUI ; Mingsan MIAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):522-527
Obesity, a global chronic disease, is associated with adipose tissue dysfunction, which is one of the contributing factors to obesity. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway, a key regulator of lipid metabolism, plays a pivotal role in obesity development. Various of traditional Chinese medicine monomers, such as flavonoids, lignans, phenols, and terpenoids, as well as traditional Chinese medicine compound formulas like Xiaoyao powder, Shengmai powder, and Zexie decoction, can maintain energy homeostasis, balance adipose tissue function, regulate glucose metabolism, improve insulin resistance, and suppress inflammatory responses through cAMP signaling pathway regulation, thereby intervening in lipid metabolism for obesity treatment. Although a substantial amount of basic research has preliminarily elucidated the potential mechanisms by which traditional Chinese medicine intervenes in obesity through the cAMP signaling pathway, clinical translational research remains inadequate. There is an urgent need for large-sample, high-quality randomized controlled trials to validate these findings.
3.Antibiotic exposure among third grade primary school students in Shenzhen
NI Yiping, ZHU Bo, ZHANG Wen, WANG Li, JI Xiang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):438-442
Objective:
To investigate the status of antibiotic exposure in third grade primary school students in Shenzhen,so as to provide evidence for the scientific management of antibiotic use and reduction of population health risks.
Methods:
From 1 September to 30 October 2021, 200 third grade students from 8 primary schools in Luohu District of Shenzhen were selected by cluster random sampling as research subjects. The body composition was measured, urine samples were collected, and the contents of 35 antibiotics in the samples were detected by mass spectrometry. Relevant dietary habit information of the subjects was collected via questionnaires. The Chi square test was used to compare the detection rate of antibiotics among different genders and weight grades. The Logistic regression model was adopted to evaluate the correlation between the target antibiotic detection rate and dietary habits.
Results:
At least one type of antibiotic was detected in 198 of the subjects with an overall detection rate of 99.0% . Among the 35 target antibiotics, 23 were detected with detection rates ranging from 0.5%-69.5%. Quinolones had the highest detection rate of 86.5% , followed by macrolides and sulfonamides with detection rates of 77.5% and 76.5%, respectively. The detection rate of antibiotics was 98.3% in boys and 100.0% in girls with no statistically significant difference ( χ 2=1.35, P >0.05). The detection rates of quinolones, macrolides, and sulfonamides varied significantly among children with different BMI categories ( χ 2=38.18, 12.45, 9.76 , all P <0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression model analysis showed that the macrolide detection rate was affected by genders( OR =0.42) and the sulfonamide detection rate was significantly correlated with the frequency of dairy product consumption and being overweight( OR =2.01)(both P <0.05). Enrofloxacin was associated with the weekly consumption frequency of livestock meat such as pork, beef and mutton, as well as the weekly consumption frequency of poultry meat such as chicken, duck and goose ( OR = 2.81,2.17,both P <0.05). Trimethoprim was associated with the weekly frequency of drinking pure milk ( OR =5.49, P < 0.05 ).
Conclusions
Third grade primary school students in Shenzhen are generally exposed to low dose antibiotics. Macrolides, quinolones, and sulfonamides may be associated with the risk of obesity in primary school students.
4.Huanglian Jiedutang Against Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Review
Liyang DONG ; Qinyuan ZHANG ; Yiping WU ; Yingping HE ; Wei SHAO ; Haojia ZHANG ; Xueqian WANG ; Changxiang LI ; Youxiang CUI ; Fafeng CHENG ; Qingguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):77-86
Huanglian Jiedutang (HLJDT), as a classical formula for clearing heat and removing toxins, has been widely applied in the treatment of various clinical diseases in recent years, particularly during the fire-heat stage of stroke, where it has attracted considerable attention. Based on previous studies, this paper systematically elaborates on the research progress on the active components of HLJDT, its clinical application in ischemic stroke, and advances in studies on its mechanisms of action. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that HLJDT contains multiple active components, including baicalin, geniposide, and berberine. In the treatment of ischemic stroke, these components exert therapeutic effects through multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-level mechanisms. Clinical studies have shown that HLJDT can increase cerebral blood flow, reduce cerebral infarct volume, and improve post-stroke physical dysfunction in patients with ischemic stroke. Experimental studies have indicated that HLJDT can improve neurological function scores and increase cerebral perfusion in experimental stroke models. In addition, the mechanisms underlying the anti-ischemic stroke effects of HLJDT may be related to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, promotion of angiogenesis, and regulation of amino acid and energy metabolism. Although existing studies have confirmed that HLJDT exhibits multi-target and multi-pathway synergistic therapeutic characteristics, further large-sample randomized controlled trials are still needed to verify its long-term efficacy and to further elucidate the dynamic interaction network among components, targets, and pathways. Combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses, this study further clarifies the synergistic targets of the core components (berberine, baicalin, and geniposide), providing a theoretical basis for in-depth research and clinical translation of HLJDT in the treatment of ischemic stroke.
5.Effects of alirocumab combined with atorvastatin on clinical efficacy and safety in patients with acute coronary syndrome after PCI
Cuijun HAO ; Rui WANG ; Yiping MA ; Xueping ZHANG ; Yanan LIU ; Shaoqiang QIN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(10):1216-1220
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of alirocumab combined with atorvastatin on clinical efficacy and safety of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS A total of 207 patients with ACS who underwent PCI in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were randomly divided into alirocumab group, ezetimibe group and control group, with 69 cases in each group. All patients received routine thrombosis prevention and antihypertensive treatment after PCI. On this basis, patients in the control group were treated with atorvastatin (20 mg/time, once a day); patients in the ezetimibe group were treated with ezetimibe (10 mg/time, once a day) + atorvastatin (20 mg/time, once a day); patients in the alirocumab group were treated with alirocumab (75 mg/time, once every 2 weeks) + atorvastatin (20 mg/time, once a day). All patients in the three groups were treated for 8 weeks and followed up for another 6 months after treatment. The levels of cardiac function and lipid metabolism indices before and after treatment, as well as the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) and other adverse drug reaction (ADR) during the follow-up period were compared among the three groups. RESULTS After treatment for 8 weeks, the levels of cardiac function and lipid metabolism indices in the three groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group and ezetimibe group, the left ventricular ejection fraction in the alirocumab group was significantly increased, and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) was significantly shortened (P<0.05). Compared with control group, LVEDD of ezetimibe group was significantly shortened (P<0.05), the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the alirocumab group and ezetimibe group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). During the follow-up period, there was no significant difference in the total incidence of MACE and the total incidence of other ADR such as headache and abdominal pain among the three groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Alirocumab combined with atorvastatin can significantly improve cardiac function and regulate lipid metabolism indices in patients with ACS after PCI without increasing the risk of MACE or other ADR.
6.Spicy food consumption and risk of vascular disease: Evidence from a large-scale Chinese prospective cohort of 0.5 million people.
Dongfang YOU ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Ziyu ZHAO ; Mingyu SONG ; Lulu PAN ; Yaqian WU ; Yingdan TANG ; Mengyi LU ; Fang SHAO ; Sipeng SHEN ; Jianling BAI ; Honggang YI ; Ruyang ZHANG ; Yongyue WEI ; Hongxia MA ; Hongyang XU ; Canqing YU ; Jun LV ; Pei PEI ; Ling YANG ; Yiping CHEN ; Zhengming CHEN ; Hongbing SHEN ; Feng CHEN ; Yang ZHAO ; Liming LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(14):1696-1704
BACKGROUND:
Spicy food consumption has been reported to be inversely associated with mortality from multiple diseases. However, the effect of spicy food intake on the incidence of vascular diseases in the Chinese population remains unclear. This study was conducted to explore this association.
METHODS:
This study was performed using the large-scale China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) prospective cohort of 486,335 participants. The primary outcomes were vascular disease, ischemic heart disease (IHD), major coronary events (MCEs), cerebrovascular disease, stroke, and non-stroke cerebrovascular disease. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the association between spicy food consumption and incident vascular diseases. Subgroup analysis was also performed to evaluate the heterogeneity of the association between spicy food consumption and the risk of vascular disease stratified by several basic characteristics. In addition, the joint effects of spicy food consumption and the healthy lifestyle score on the risk of vascular disease were also evaluated, and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the reliability of the association results.
RESULTS:
During a median follow-up time of 12.1 years, a total of 136,125 patients with vascular disease, 46,689 patients with IHD, 10,097 patients with MCEs, 80,114 patients with cerebrovascular disease, 56,726 patients with stroke, and 40,098 patients with non-stroke cerebrovascular disease were identified. Participants who consumed spicy food 1-2 days/week (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = [0.93, 0.97], P <0.001), 3-5 days/week (HR = 0.96, 95% CI = [0.94, 0.99], P = 0.003), and 6-7 days/week (HR = 0.97, 95% CI = [0.95, 0.99], P = 0.002) had a significantly lower risk of vascular disease than those who consumed spicy food less than once a week ( Ptrend <0.001), especially in those who were younger and living in rural areas. Notably, the disease-based subgroup analysis indicated that the inverse associations remained in IHD ( Ptrend = 0.011) and MCEs ( Ptrend = 0.002) risk. Intriguingly, there was an interaction effect between spicy food consumption and the healthy lifestyle score on the risk of IHD ( Pinteraction = 0.037).
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support an inverse association between spicy food consumption and vascular disease in the Chinese population, which may provide additional dietary guidance for the prevention of vascular diseases.
Humans
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Male
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Female
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Prospective Studies
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Middle Aged
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Aged
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Vascular Diseases/etiology*
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Risk Factors
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China/epidemiology*
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Adult
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Proportional Hazards Models
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Cerebrovascular Disorders/epidemiology*
;
East Asian People
7.Vitamin D supplementation inhibits atherosclerosis through repressing macrophage-induced inflammation via SIRT1/mTORC2 signaling.
Yuli WANG ; Qihong NI ; Yongjie YAO ; Shu LU ; Haozhe QI ; Weilun WANG ; Shuofei YANG ; Jiaquan CHEN ; Lei LYU ; Yiping ZHAO ; Meng YE ; Guanhua XUE ; Lan ZHANG ; Xiangjiang GUO ; Yinan LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2841-2843
8.Plasma Metabolomic Analysis of Colorectal Cancer Patients with Spleen-Qi Deficiency and Damp-heat Stasis-toxin Syndrome Based on UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS
Siting MENG ; Lihuiping TAO ; Dong ZHANG ; Qinchang ZHANG ; Yiping FAN ; Haibo CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):130-137
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the plasma metabolite differences among colorectal cancer patients with spleen-qi deficiency, damp-heat stasis-toxin syndrome(SRYD), non-spleen-qi deficiency, damp-heat stasis-toxin syndrome(non-SRYD), and normal human beings(Normal), aiming to identify unique metabolites specific to SRYD colorectal cancer patients and their potential biomarkers. MethodsBased on the diagnostic criteria of SRYD and non-SRYD colorectal cancer, 30 patients were included, including 10 patients with SRYD colorectal cancer and 20 patients with non-SRYD colorectal cancer, while 10 individuals were recruited for the Normal group. Metabolome sequencing of plasma from the three groups was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS). Multivariate statistical analysis were performed by principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), and the intergroup differential metabolites were identified based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and t-test P<0.05. And pathway enrichment analysis based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) was performed to explore the metabolites and metabolic pathways specific to SRYD colorectal cancer patients. ResultsMetabolome sequencing results showed some differences in metabolic profiles between the groups. A total of 111 plasma differential metabolites were found in the SRYD group and the Normal group, of which 31 were up-regulated and 80 were down-regulated, mainly including stearoyl lysophosphatidylcholine, indole-3-acrylic acid, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(P<0.05). The non-SRYD group exhibited 97 differentially expressed metabolites compared to the Normal group, with 36 up-regulated and 61 down-regulated, mainly including stearoyl lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingosine, and palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine(P<0.05). And the SRYD group exhibited 19 differentially expressed metabolites compared to the non-SRYD group, of which 5 were up-regulated and 14 were down-regulated, mainly including dihydrosphingosine, palmitic acid, and linoleoylethanolamide(P<0.05). The significant differential metabolites were subjected to KEGG analysis to obtain significantly enriched metabolic pathways in each group, and the results showed that 11 metabolic pathways such as primary bile acid synthesis, cholesterol metabolism and bile secretion were differential signaling pathways specific to SRYD colorectal cancer. Further retrieval of the above key signaling pathways showed that bile acids were up-regulated in both bile secretion and primary bile acid synthesis pathways, and there was a trend of up-regulation of glycochenodeoxycholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, and chenodeoxycholic acid. ConclusionPrimary bile acid synthesis, cholesterol metabolism, and bile secretion-related pathways may be differential signaling pathways specific to SRYD colorectal cancer, and bile acid is a core molecule in the metabolic pathway, which can serve as potential biomarkers closely related to the development and progression of SRYD colorectal cancer.
9.Plasma Metabolomic Analysis of Colorectal Cancer Patients with Spleen-Qi Deficiency and Damp-heat Stasis-toxin Syndrome Based on UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS
Siting MENG ; Lihuiping TAO ; Dong ZHANG ; Qinchang ZHANG ; Yiping FAN ; Haibo CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):130-137
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the plasma metabolite differences among colorectal cancer patients with spleen-qi deficiency, damp-heat stasis-toxin syndrome(SRYD), non-spleen-qi deficiency, damp-heat stasis-toxin syndrome(non-SRYD), and normal human beings(Normal), aiming to identify unique metabolites specific to SRYD colorectal cancer patients and their potential biomarkers. MethodsBased on the diagnostic criteria of SRYD and non-SRYD colorectal cancer, 30 patients were included, including 10 patients with SRYD colorectal cancer and 20 patients with non-SRYD colorectal cancer, while 10 individuals were recruited for the Normal group. Metabolome sequencing of plasma from the three groups was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS). Multivariate statistical analysis were performed by principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), and the intergroup differential metabolites were identified based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and t-test P<0.05. And pathway enrichment analysis based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) was performed to explore the metabolites and metabolic pathways specific to SRYD colorectal cancer patients. ResultsMetabolome sequencing results showed some differences in metabolic profiles between the groups. A total of 111 plasma differential metabolites were found in the SRYD group and the Normal group, of which 31 were up-regulated and 80 were down-regulated, mainly including stearoyl lysophosphatidylcholine, indole-3-acrylic acid, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(P<0.05). The non-SRYD group exhibited 97 differentially expressed metabolites compared to the Normal group, with 36 up-regulated and 61 down-regulated, mainly including stearoyl lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingosine, and palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine(P<0.05). And the SRYD group exhibited 19 differentially expressed metabolites compared to the non-SRYD group, of which 5 were up-regulated and 14 were down-regulated, mainly including dihydrosphingosine, palmitic acid, and linoleoylethanolamide(P<0.05). The significant differential metabolites were subjected to KEGG analysis to obtain significantly enriched metabolic pathways in each group, and the results showed that 11 metabolic pathways such as primary bile acid synthesis, cholesterol metabolism and bile secretion were differential signaling pathways specific to SRYD colorectal cancer. Further retrieval of the above key signaling pathways showed that bile acids were up-regulated in both bile secretion and primary bile acid synthesis pathways, and there was a trend of up-regulation of glycochenodeoxycholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, and chenodeoxycholic acid. ConclusionPrimary bile acid synthesis, cholesterol metabolism, and bile secretion-related pathways may be differential signaling pathways specific to SRYD colorectal cancer, and bile acid is a core molecule in the metabolic pathway, which can serve as potential biomarkers closely related to the development and progression of SRYD colorectal cancer.
10.Ancient and Modern Literature Analysis and Key Information Research of Classic Formula Qingfeitang
Lyuyuan LIANG ; Jinyan ZHANG ; Jialei CAO ; Jing TANG ; Mengmeng GENG ; Yiqing ZHAO ; Hejia WAN ; Yiping WANG ; Bingqi WEI ; Bingxiang MA ; Wenli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):179-189
Qingfeitang, specialized in resolving phlegm to stop cough and producing fluid to moisten dryness, is a classic prescription inherited and developed by physicians of successive generations and has been included in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Prescriptions (First Batch) published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in 2018. Relevant ancient books data and modern literature were collected by bibliometrics to analyze the historic origin, formula composition, herb origin, preparation methods, processing methods, clinical effect, and indications of Qingfeitang. The key information of Qingfeitang was summarized to provide reference for the clinical application of the decoction. In this study, a total of 43 pieces of effective data on relevant ancient literature, including 35 ancient TCM books, were collected based on a systematic collation of relevant historic and modern literature. Results showed that "Qingfeitang" was originated from the "Renshen Qingfeitang" recorded in the Taiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief from the Qing dynasty. The name of "Qinfeitang" was first recorded in the Yeshi Luyanfang written by YE Dalian in the Song dynasty. We suggested the modern dosage and usage of Qingfeitang as follows: "Scutellariae Radix of 5.60 g, Platycodon grandiflora, Poria, Tangerine, Fritillaria, and Cortex Mori of 3.73 g respectively, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Asparagi Radix, Gardeniae Fructus, Armeniacae Semen Amarum, and Ophiopogonis Radix of 2.61 g respectively, Schisandra of 1 g, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma of 1.12 g, and they were taken 3 times daily. The above formula is recommended to be decocted with 400 mL of water, with 3.37 g ginger and 6 g jujubae fructus, to 320 mL, and taken after a meal, three times per day". Qingfeitang has the effect of resolving phlegm to stop cough and producing fluid to moisten dryness, specialized in treating cough, asthma, rash, and other symptoms in ancient times. Modern applications are mainly focused on the respiratory system, used for treating diseases such as bronchopneumonia and cough. The above research results provide a reference basis for the later development and research of Qingfeitang.


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