1.Current Status and Strategies of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in the Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection
Xuezhi ZHANG ; Xia DING ; Zhen LIU ; Hui YE ; Xiaofen JIA ; Hong CHENG ; Zhenyu WU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):111-116
This paper systematically reviews the current status of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, as well as recent progress in clinical and basic research both in China and internationally. It summarizes the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Hp infection management, including improving Hp eradication rates, enhancing antibiotic sensitivity, reducing antimicrobial resistance, decreasing drug-related adverse effects, and ameliorating gastric mucosal lesions. These advantages are particularly evident in patients who are intolerant to bismuth-containing regimens, those with refractory Hp infection, and individuals with precancerous gastric lesions. An integrated, whole-process management approach and individualized, staged comprehensive treatment strategies combining TCM and western medicine are proposed for Hp infection. Future prevention and control of Hp infection should adopt an integrative Chinese-western medical strategy, emphasizing prevention, strengthening primary care, implementing proactive long-term monitoring, optimizing screening strategies, and advancing the development of novel technologies and mechanistic studies of Chinese herbal interventions. These efforts aim to provide a theoretical basis and practical pathways for the establishment and improvement of Hp infection prevention and control systems.
2.Exploration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Characteristics in A Heart Failure Model Induced by Coronary Artery Ligation Based on Method of Syndrome Identification by Prescription Efficacy
Xiaoqian LIAO ; Peiyao LI ; Xingyu FAN ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Junyu ZHANG ; Yuehang XU ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):169-177
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a major global public health problem, and myocardial infarction is one of its main causes. The mouse model of heart failure induced by coronary artery ligation is widely used in the study of CHF, while the TCM syndrome attributes of this model have not yet been clarified. According to the theory of correspondence between prescriptions and syndromes, the method of syndrome identification by prescription efficacy is an important means of current syndrome research of animal models. This method deduces the syndrome characteristics of animal models through prescription efficacy. Taking the four basic syndrome elements of Qi, blood, Yin and Yang as the classification reference, this study used coronary artery ligation to construct a mouse model of CHF and treated the model with four representative TCM injections with the effects of replenishing Qi, warming Yang, nourishing Yin, and activating blood and enalapril. Echocardiography, tongue color parameters, histopathology, serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTnⅠ) levels, and systematically explored the TCM syndrome attributes of this model. The results showed that the coronary ligation model presented an obvious cardiac function decline, myocardial fibrosis, infarct size expansion, and purple dark tongue, which were consistent with the basic syndrome characteristics of blood stasis in CHF. Danhong injection had significant effects of improving the cardiac function, alleviating myocardial fibrosis, and reducing serum NT-proBNP and cTnⅠ levels. Huangqi Injection and Shenfu injection can improve the cardiac function and tongue color parameters, with limited effects. The effect of Shenmai injection group was not obvious. This study verifies that the established model conforms to blood stasis syndrome through the method of syndrome identification by prescription efficacy, which provides an experimental basis for the study of TCM syndrome mechanism of CHF.
3.Myocardial Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Shenfu Injection in Ameliorating Energy Metabolism Remodeling in Rat Model of Chronic Heart Failure
Xinyue NING ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Mengna ZHANG ; Yang GUO ; Zhijia XIANG ; Kun LIAN ; Zhixi HU ; Lin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):178-186
ObjectiveTo examine the influences of Shenfu injection on the endogenous metabolic byproducts in the myocardium of the rat model exhibiting chronic heart failure, thus deciphering the therapeutic mechanism of the Qi-reinforcing and Yang-warming method. MethodsSD rats were randomly allocated into a control group and a modeling group. Chronic heart failure with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome in rats was modeled by multi-point subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol, and the rats were fed for 14 days after modeling. The successfully modeled rats were randomized into model, Shenfu injection (6.0 mL·kg-1), and trimetazidine (10 mg·kg-1) groups and treated with corresponding agents for 15 days. The control group and the model group were injected with equal doses of normal saline, and the samples were collected after the intervention was completed. Cardiac color ultrasound was performed. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological morphology, and the serum level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mitochondrial morphological and structural changes of cardiomyocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the metabolic profiling was carried out by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quantitative exactive-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS). Differential metabolites were screened and identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and other methods, and then the MetaboAnalyst database was used for further screening. The relevant biological pathways were obtained through pathway enrichment analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to evaluate the diagnostic value of each potential biomarker for myocardial injury and the evaluation value for drug efficacy. ResultsThe results of color ultrasound showed that Shenfu Injection improved the cardiac function indexes of model rats (P<0.05). The results of HE staining showed that Shenfu injection effectively alleviated the pathological phenomena such as myocardial tissue structure disorder and inflammatory cell infiltration in model rats. The results of ELISA showed that Shenfu injection effectively regulated the serum NT-proBNP level in the model rats. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that Shenfu injection effectively restored the mitochondrial morphological structure. The results of metabolomics showed that the metabolic phenotypes of myocardial samples presented markedly differences between groups. Nine differential metabolites could be significantly reversed in the Shenfu injection group, involving three metabolic pathways: pyruvate metabolism, histidine metabolism, and citric acid cycle (TCA cycle). The results of ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) values of all metabolites were between 0.75 and 1.0, indicating that the differential metabolites had high diagnostic accuracy for myocardial injury, and the changes in their expression levels could be used as potential markers for efficacy evaluation. ConclusionShenfu injection significantly alleviated the damage of cardiac function, myocardium, and mitochondrial structure in the rat model of chronic heart failure with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome by ameliorating energy metabolism remodeling. Reinforcing Qi and warming Yang is a key method for treating chronic heart failure with heart-Yang deficiency syndrome.
4.Treatment Principles and Paradigm of Diabetic Microvascular Complications Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Anzhu WANG ; Xing HANG ; Lili ZHANG ; Xiaorong ZHU ; Dantao PENG ; Ying FAN ; Min ZHANG ; Wenliang LYU ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Xiai WU ; Jia MI ; Jiaxing TIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Han WANG ; Yuan XU ; .LI PINGPING ; Zhenyu WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Dongmei SUN ; Yi HE ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):272-279
To explore the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and integrative TCM-Western medicine approaches in the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications (DMC), refine key pathophysiological insights and treatment principles, and promote academic innovation and strategic research planning in the prevention and treatment of DMC. The 38th session of the Expert Salon on Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine, hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, was held in Beijing, 2024. Experts in TCM, Western medicine, and interdisciplinary fields convened to conduct a systematic discussion on the pathogenesis, diagnostic and treatment challenges, and mechanism research related to DMC, ultimately forming a consensus on key directions. Four major research recommendations were proposed. The first is addressing clinical bottlenecks in the prevention and control of DMC by optimizing TCM-based evidence evaluation systems. The second is refining TCM core pathogenesis across DMC stages and establishing corresponding "disease-pattern-time" framework. The third is innovating mechanism research strategies to facilitate a shift from holistic regulation to targeted intervention in TCM. The fourth is advancing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the role of TCM in new drug development, research prioritization, and guideline formulation. TCM and integrative approaches offer distinct advantages in managing DMC. With a focus on the diseases responding specifically to TCM, strengthening evidence-based support and mechanism interpretation and promoting the integration of clinical care and research innovation will provide strong momentum for the modernization of TCM and the advancement of national health strategies.
5.Research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine regulating metabolic reprogramming to improve breast cancer
Zhenyu ZHANG ; Weixia CHEN ; Bo FENG ; Jilei LI ; Sizhe WANG ; Meng ZHU ; Chunzheng MA
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):250-256
Metabolic reprogramming, as one of the core hallmarks of malignant tumors, plays a key role in the occurrence, development and treatment of breast cancer (BC). Abnormal changes in glucose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, as well as the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathways significantly influence the pathogenesis and progression of BC. Studies have shown that various active components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (such as berberine, matrine, quercetin, curcumin, etc.) and their compound formulations (e.g. Xihuang pill, Danzhi xiaoyao powder, Yanghe decoction, etc.) can inhibit the proliferation and migration of BC cells and induce apoptosis by regulating key metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, lipid synthesis, and amino acid metabolism. TCM demonstrates multi-target and holistic regulatory advantages in intervening in BC metabolic reprogramming, showing significant potential in modulating key molecules like hypoxia inducible factor-1α, hexokinase-2, pyruvate kinase M2, lactate dehydrogenase A, glucose transporter-1, fatty acid synthase, and signaling pathways such as AKT/mTOR. However, current researches still focus predominantly on glucose metabolism, with insufficient mechanistic studies on lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, the TCA cycle, and OXPHOS. The precise targets, molecular mechanisms, and clinical translation value of these interventions require further validation and clarification through more high-quality experimental studies and clinical trials.
6.Target of neohesperidin in treatment of osteoporosis and its effect on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Zhenyu ZHANG ; Qiujian LIANG ; Jun YANG ; Xiangyu WEI ; Jie JIANG ; Linke HUANG ; Zhen TAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1437-1447
BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that neohesperidin can delay bone loss in ovariectomized mice and has the potential to treat osteoporosis,but its specific mechanism of action remains to be explored. OBJECTIVE:To explore the key targets and possible mechanisms of neohesperidin in the treatment of osteoporosis based on bioinformatics and cell experiments in vitro. METHODS:The gene expression dataset related to osteoporosis was obtained from GEO database,and the differentially expressed genes were screened and analyzed in R language.The osteoporosis-related targets were screened from GeneCards and DisGeNET databases,and the neohesperidin-related targets were screened from ChEMBL and PubChem databases,and the common targets were obtained by intersection of the three.The String database was used to construct the PPI network of intersection genes,and the key targets were screened.The DAVID database was used for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.The AutoDock software was used to verify the molecular docking between the neohesperidin and the target protein.The effect of neohesperidin on osteogenic differentiation of C57 mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was detected.Complete medium was used as blank control group;osteogenic induction medium was used as the control group;and osteogenic induction medium containing different concentrations of neohesperidin(25,50 μmol/L)was used as experimental group.The expression of alkaline phosphatase,the degree of mineralization,the expression of osteogenic-related genes and target genes during osteogenic differentiation of cells were measured at corresponding time points. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)9 253 differentially expressed genes,2 161 osteoporosis-related targets,and 326 neohesperidin-related targets were screened.There were 53 common targets among the three.All 53 genes were up-regulated in osteoporosis samples.The PPI network screened the target gene PRKACA of research significance.GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that neohesperidin's treatment of osteoporosis through PRKACA target mainly depended on biological processes such as protein phosphorylation and protein autophosphorylation,acting on endocrine resistance,proteoglycan in cancer,and estrogen signaling pathway to play a therapeutic role.Molecular docking results showed that neohesperidin had a certain binding ability to the protein corresponding to the target PRKACA.(2)The results of alkaline phosphatase staining showed that neohesperidin could promote the expression of alkaline phosphatase in the early stage of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.Alizarin red staining showed that neohesperidin could promote the mineralization of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.RT-qPCR results showed that neohesperidin could increase the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase,PRKACA,and osteocalcin.(3)These results indicate that neohesperidin may promote osteogenic differentiation through PRKACA target on the estrogen signaling pathway to prevent and treat osteoporosis.
7.Effectiveness of group skills training intervention on social ability of high functional autism spectrum disorder children
HU Shasha, ZHAO Xiao, ZHU Zhenzhen, LIU Xiaoli, WANG Rong, HU Zhenyu, ZHANG Wenwu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):167-171
Objective:
To evaluate the intervention efficacy of integrated group social skills training on social ability in school age patients with high functioning ASD, so as to provide a reference for improving social skills in children with high functioning ASD.
Methods:
From January 2021 to December 2023, 62 children aged 7-12 with high functioning ASD who visited the Children s Psychiatry Outpatient Department of the Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University were recruited, and were randomly divided into a training ( n =31) and a control group ( n =31) by a random number table method. The training group received a 20 week structured group social training program (mental interpretation courses and social courses), while the control group received only conventional treatment. Chinese version of Griffith Empathy Measure Parent Ratings (GEM-PR) and Social Response Scale (SRS) were used to assess the symptoms of social deficits before and after treatment. Emotional face recognition tasks and eye movement trajectories were used to test the characteristics of social visual attention in children with ASD. Group comparison was conducted using t-test and Mann-Whitney U test.
Results:
At baseline, there were no significant differences in GEM-PR score ( t = -1.20 to -0.81), SRS score ( t =-0.36-1.75), emotional face recognition accuracy and reaction time ( t =-0.58-1.85), and eye movement trajectory ( U/t =-1.63-0.29) between the two group ( P >0.05). After intervention, the total GEM-PR score and empathic cognitive factor score of training group [18.00(10.00,24.00),9.00(8.00,13.00)] were significantly higher than those of the control group [12.00(-1.00,18.00),2.00(-2.00,7.00)], and the total SRS score and social cognition, social perception, social communication, social motivation (73.23±14.20, 16.16±2.72, 6.58±2.50, 24.29±5.61, 9.52±3.73) were significantly lower than those of the control group (95.26±15.29, 19.90±2.84, 12.58±2.49,31.94±6.38, 13.74±4.81) ( U/t =-2.38, -4.59; -5.88, -5.29, -9.47, -5.01, -3.87, P <0.05). The overall correct rate of emotional face recognition and the correct rate of angry, fearful and neutral faces recognition in the training group [(81.55±6.62)%,(76.86±12.06)%,(79.61±12.42)%,(94.27±6.26)%] were significantly higher than the control group [(70.55±13.82)%,(62.82±18.77)%,(67.18±18.85)%,(79.60±20.05)%], and the average reaction time [(2 226.70±274.43)ms] was lower than the control group [(2 417.27±324.10)ms] (t=4.00, 3.50, 3.07, 3.89, -2.42, P<0.05). The time to first eye gaze [764.74 (748.64, 793.73) ms] in the training group was significantly lower than that in the control group [810.92 (782.86, 877.42) ms], and the proportion of moderatetohigh intensity attention area in the face [(37.37±1.27)%] was significantly higher than that in the control group [(30.34±1.23)%] (U/t=3.44, 8.89, P<0.05).
Conclusion
Integrated group social training can significantly improve the social communication and empathy ability of high functioning ASD children, increase active attention and recognition ability of faces, and improve mental development of children with ASD.
8.Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway to Intervene in Lung Cancer: A Review
Jiarui CAO ; Bo FENG ; Chunzheng MA ; Weixia CHEN ; Jiangfan YU ; Shasha CAO ; Zhenyu ZHANG ; Wenhui OUYANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):265-276
Lung cancer is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence and mortality rates globally. Current treatment methods for lung cancer primarily include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. However, the main limitations of these treatments are their side effects, the drug resistance, and the economic burden they impose. As a critical cancer pathway, the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway regulates tumor occurrence and development through multiple mechanisms by influencing various downstream targets. Consequently, the JAK/STAT signaling pathway offers a promising avenue for lung cancer treatment research. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the JAK/STAT signaling pathway plays a key role in the proliferation and growth of lung cancer cells, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metabolic alterations, remodeling of the immune microenvironment, and the development of treatment resistance. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has garnered increasing attention due to its minimal side effects, low economic burden, and its potential to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity when used in conjunction with Western medicine. In addition to traditional Chinese medicine compounds, a growing number of Chinese medicine monomers have come into the spotlight because of their more targeted effects. Numerous studies investigating the regulation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway by TCM in the treatment of lung cancer have demonstrated that TCM can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells, tumor angiogenesis, and EMT, improve the inflammatory and immunosuppressive microenvironments, and enhance treatment sensitivity by intervening in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, thereby impeding the progression of lung cancer. In recent years, the research on the regulation of this pathway by TCM in the treatment of lung cancer has been updated rapidly. However, the summary of these studies has not been updated in time. This review summarizes and reflects on the recent research findings regarding the regulation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway by TCM to intervene in lung cancer from three aspects, introducing the JAK/STAT pathway, elaborating the mechanism of this pathway in lung cancer, and exploring the intervention of TCM in the treatment of lung cancer through this pathway, to provide more reference for the treatment of lung cancer in the future.
9.Analysis of major food consumption frequencies among children aged 6-17 years in China
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(4):494-499
Objective:
To analyze the consumption frequency of major foods among Chinese children aged 6-17 years old, and to provide a basis for optimizing the dietary structure of children in China.
Methods:
Using data from the China Nutrition and Health System Survey and Application Program for Children 0-18 years old, 56 734 children aged 6-17 years old from North, Norththeast East, Central, South, Southwest and Northwest seven regions in China were selected for the study using stratified cluster random sampling from 2019 to 2021. A food frequency questionnaire was used to investigate the intake frequency of eight food groups in a month, including fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, livestock and poultry meats, aquatic products, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and cereals and potatoes. The foods were grouped according to whether they met the recommended intake criteria outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents 2022. The〖KG*2〗χ2 test was used to compare the differences in the proportion of childrens intake frequency of each food group meeting the standard in different regions and age groups.
Results:
The proportions of Chinese children aged 6-17 years who consumed fresh vegetables and cereals and potatoes ≥3 times/d were 12.1% and 67.2%, respectively. The proportions of children who consumed fresh fruits, livestock and poultry meats, eggs and dairy products ≥1 time/d were 50.8%, 58.8%, 36.0% and 54.3%, respectively. The proportion of legumes consumed ≥4 times/week was 37.4%, and the proportion of aquatic products consumed ≥2 times/week was 39.7%. Fresh vegetables (5.5%), fresh fruits (33.1%), and dairy products (36.4%) had the lowest frequency of meeting the recommended standards in South China, and aquatic products (27.4%) and eggs (21.1%) had the lowest frequency of meeting the recommended standards in Northwest (P<0.008 3).
Conclusion
The overall intake frequency of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, legumes, and dairy products are insufficient among Chinese children, with significant regional variations.
10.Current status and prospects of phage therapy in lung transplantation
Zhenyu ZHANG ; Zitao WANG ; Wenjie HUA ; Zhenhang DAI ; Jingyu CHEN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(3):489-494
Multidrug resistant organism refers to bacteria that are insensitive to three or more antibiotics commonly used in clinic, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter Baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae, etc. MDRO infection is a major factor affecting the survival rate after lung transplantation (LTx), accounting for 30% of the causes of death in the first year after transplantation. Antibiotic treatment has low specificity and is prone to drug resistance. The development of new drugs has a long cycle and high cost, with significant limitations. Phage has high specificity for bacteria, which can proliferate in large quantities in the infected lesion and co-evolve with bacteria during the action process. Phage also have a good killing effect on MDRO, which is expected to make up for the deficiencies of existing antibiotic therapy. This article reviews the development background and mechanism of action of phage therapy, and summarizes its application status and early clinical trial results in the field of LTx, in order to providing new thinking paths for clinical work.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail