1.Discussion on Scientific Connotation of Vital Qi Strengthening for Detoxification Therapy in Treatment of Community-acquired Pneumonia Based on Theory of "Vital Qi Deficiency and Toxic Stasis"
Hanxiao WANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Haotian XU ; Xin PENG ; Ziming DANG ; Kun YANG ; Qianqian WANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):226-234
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) refers to an infectious inflammation of the lung parenchyma (including the alveolar wall,that is,the broad pulmonary interstitium) acquired outside the hospital. Its common pathogens include streptococcus pneumoniae,respiratory viruses, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and so on. The related factors for the occurrence and development of CAP include patient characteristics (immune function,mucus production and clearance function,coagulation function,physical condition, and comorbidity) and pathogen characteristics (susceptibility,virulence,and antibiotic resistance). The pathogenesis of CAP lies in immune deficiency,pathogen invasion,inflammatory response disorder,mucus production and clearance disorder, coagulation disorder, and so on. The pathogenesis of CAP in traditional Chinese medicine can be described as "vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis". Vital Qi deficiency (lack of immunity) is the potential pathogenesis of the disease and easy to be invaded by external pathogens (respiratory pathogens). Toxic stasis (inflammatory disorder,mucus production and clearance disorder,and coagulation dysfunction) is the key pathogenic factor. Vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis are intermingled in a state of deficiency and excess,which suggests that the treatment of CAP lies in strengthening vital Qi and eliminating pathogenic factors. This involves strengthening vital Qi in the whole process to consolidate body resistance and nourish promordial Qi. It also involves clearing heat,eliminating phlegm,removing dampness,and dispelling stasis to dispel pathogenic toxins based on the syndrome differentiation. Its action mechanism is to regulate immune and inflammatory responses,resist pathogens,and improve mucus production and clearance, as well as coagulation disorders. Starting from the key pathogenesis of CAP,"vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis", this paper discussed the pathogenesis of CAP and summarized the action mechanism of vital Qi strengthening for detoxification in its treatment. It is intended to complement the theoretical system by identifying "vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis" as the key pathogenesis underlying CAP and the scientific connotation of treating CAP with vital Qi strengthening for detoxification,thereby providing insights for its clinical application.
2.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
3.Molecular Mechanism of Programmed Cell Death in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Xin PENG ; Yunhui LI ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Haotian XU ; Ziming DANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):304-313
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health, exhibiting high morbidity, disability and mortality rate, with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex, and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death (PCD) is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD, yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore, this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD, aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention, treatment and in-depth research of COPD.
4.Immunity-inflammation Mechanism of Viral Pneumonia and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment Based on Theory of Healthy Qi and Pathogenic Qi
Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Xin PENG ; Yihao ZHANG ; Yunhui LI ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):239-247
Viral pneumonia is an infectious disease caused by virus invading the lung parenchyma and interstitial tissue and causing lung inflammation, with the incidence rising year by year. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can treat viral pneumonia in a multi-component, multi-target, and holistic manner by targeting the core pathogenesis of pneumonia caused by different respiratory viruses, demonstrating minimal side effects and significant advantages. According to the theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in TCM, the struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi and the imbalance between immunity and inflammation run through the entire process of viral pneumonia, and the immunity-inflammation status at different stages of the disease reflects different relationships between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi. Immune dysfunction leads to the deficiency of healthy Qi, causing viral infections. The struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi causes immunity-inflammation imbalance, leading to the onset of viral pneumonia. Inflammatory damage causes persistent accumulation of phlegm and stasis, leading to the progression of viral pneumonia. The cytokine storm causes immunodepletion, leading to the excess of pathogenic Qi and diminution of healthy Qi and the deterioration of viral pneumonia. After the recovery from viral pneumonia, there is a long-term imbalance between immunity and micro-inflammation, which results in healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi lingering. Healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi excess act as common core causes of pneumonia caused by different respiratory viruses. Clinical treatment should emphasize both replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi, helping to restore the balance between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi as well as between immunity and inflammation, thus promoting the recovery of patients from viral pneumonia. According to the TCM theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi, this article summarizes the immunity-inflammation mechanisms at different stages of viral pneumonia, and explores the application of the method of replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi in viral pneumonia. The aim is to probe into the scientific connotation of the TCM theory of healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi in viral pneumonia and provide ideas for the clinical application of the method of replenishing healthy Qi and eliminating pathogenic Qi to assist in the treatment of viral pneumonia.
5.Thoughts of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment and Effect Mechanism of Haoqin Qingdantang in Treating Viral Pneumonia Based on Theory of Treating Different Diseases with Same Therapy
Xin PENG ; Haotian XU ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Yihao ZHANG ; Kun YANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):209-217
The principle of treating different diseases with the same therapy is the essence of syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It means that when the same pathogenic changes or the same symptoms appear in the development of different diseases, the same principles or methods can be used for treatment. Due to the complexity and high variability of viral pathogenicity, the precise and effective treatment of different types of viral pneumonia (VP) has always been a research focus and difficulty in modern medicine. VP belongs to the category of external-contraction febrile disease, warm disease, and epidemic in TCM. Haoqin Qingdantang (HQQDD) is a representative formula for clearing heat and dispelling dampness in warm diseases, and its intervention in VP caused by various viral infections has significant effects. This study, guided by the theory of treating different diseases with the same therapy, links the related studies on using HQQDD to treat different types of VP and finds that influenza virus pneumonia (IVP), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and COVID-19 all have a common pathogenic mechanism of dampness-heat at different stages of respective diseases. When these diseases are dominated by damp-heat factors, the use of HQQDD yields remarkable therapeutic effects. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that HQQDD can inhibit virus replication, reduce fever reactions, inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators, and regulate immune balance. Moreover, the sovereign medicine in this formula has excellent antiviral activity, and the formula reflects rich scientific connotations of treating VP. According to the theory of treating different diseases with the same therapy and based on the effective treatment practice and modern pharmacological research of HQQDD for different types of VP, this paper mines the underlying TCM theory of treatment with the same therapy, explores the syndrome differentiation and treatment strategy and effect mechanism of this formula for different types of VP, and analyzes the treatment mechanism and characteristics, with the aim of providing evidence and reference for the clinical application and modern research of HQQDD.
6.Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Immune Inflammation and Microvascular Damage in Preventing Recurrence of Pneumonia During Recovery Based on Combination of Pathogenic Factors
Xin PENG ; Haotian XU ; Lei LIANG ; Zheyu LUAN ; Hanxiao WANG ; Kun YANG ; Jihong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):249-258
Pneumonia is an infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its damage to the body is not limited to the acute phase. The theory of combination of pathogenic factors emphasizes that the combination of new pathogens and residual pathogens in the body leads to the occurrence of diseases, which generalizes the causes of recurrence during pneumonia recovery. During the recovery stage of pneumonia, pathological changes such as disturbance of immune homeostasis, persistent low-grade inflammation, and microvascular damage continue to affect the body function, impair the health and quality of life of patients, and increase the risk of secondary infection. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pneumonia is caused by deficiency, and Qi deficiency and blood stasis is the core pathogenesis in the recovery stage. At this time, the body is not full of healthy qi and still has residual pathogens, and thus it is susceptible to external pathogenic factors that lead to disease recurrence. As an important part of the TCM philosophy of treating disease before its onset, prevention of recurrence after recovery emphasizes the need for aftercare in the recovery stage to prevent disease recurrence. Based on the pathogenesis theory of combination of pathogenic factors and the pathogenesis of Qi deficiency and blood stasis, this paper discusses the effect and connotation of TCM in regulating immune inflammation and microvascular damage in preventing recurrence of pneumonia during the recovery stage, aiming to develop new ideas for effective prevention and treatment of pneumonia at this stage.
7.Impact of transferring vitrified-thawed non-re-expanded blastocysts on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: a retrospective cohort study based on propensity score matching
Jie ZHU ; Huiqun YIN ; Cunli WANG ; Kang LUAN ; Yan WU ; Feng NI
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(7):696-701
Objective:To investigate the effect of the transfer of blastocysts that have not re-expanded after 2-4 h of thawing on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was performed to analyze the clinical data from 2 428 vitrified frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer cycles at the Reproductive Medicine Center of the 901st Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA between January 2015 and March 2024. Based on the re-expansion status of the blastocoel cavity after thawing, the cycles were divided into group A (110 non-re-expanded) and group B (2 318 re-expanded). After propensity score matching, there were 109 cycles in each group. Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes between the two groups were compared.Results:Before propensity score matching, there were statistical differences in percentage of good-quality blastocyst transfer, percentage of degree 4 blastocyst, percentage of endometriosis and others in reasons for infertility between the two groups (all P<0.05). After propensity score matching, there were no statistical differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (all P>0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate [27.52% (30/109)], the ongoing pregnancy rate [21.10% (23/109)] and the live birth rate [19.27% (21/109)] in group A were all significantly lower than those in group B [61.47% (67/109), 51.38% (56/109), 47.70% (52/109), all P<0.001]. Neonatal outcomes showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of birth weight, neonatal length, malformation rate, monozygotic twin rate and male neonatal rate (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Transfer of non-re-expanded blastocysts after thawing may reduce clinical pregnancy rate but does not negatively affect neonatal outcomes.
8.Deep learning-based fusion of color and spectral features from hyperspectral imaging for the origin identification of Salvia miltiorrhiza
Bai RUIBIN ; Xiong FENG ; Wang HUI ; Luan MEIQI ; Zhou JUNHUI ; Wan XIUFU ; Zhao ZIHAN ; Zhang XIAOBO ; Zhang CHU ; Yang JIAN
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(3):250-258
Background:Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge,commonly known as"Danshen"in China due to the distinctive red color of its roots,is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicines.It is cultivated in various regions across China,and environmental differences among these regions can affect the secondary metabolites of plants,thereby influencing the quality of S.miltiorrhiza.In recent years,increasing demand for S.miltiorrhiza has exacerbated the problem of origin fraud.Therefore,ensuring the authenticity of its geo-graphical origin is crucial for the sustainable development of the industry.Objective:The red coloration of S.miltiorrhiza is closely associated with the content of its primary active compounds,particularly tanshinones.Therefore,both its internal chemical composition and external color characteristics serve as key indicators for quality assessment.This study utilized hyperspectral imaging technology to evaluate its potential in classifying the geographical origin of S.miltiorrhiza.Methods:Spectral data reflecting the internal chemical properties of S.miltiorrhiza were integrated with color information represent-ing its external features through 3 levels of data fusion.These fused datasets were then combined with deep learning algorithms to achieve accurate origin classification.Results:The results demonstrated that the Transformer model combined with soft-voting decision-level fusion achieved the highest classification accuracy of 98.72%by integrating image color and short-wave infrared spectral data.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that integrating hyperspectral imaging spectral data with color information provides a reliable and innovative approach for verifying the authenticity and traceability of S.miltiorrhiza.
9.The effectiveness analysis of potassium-competitive acid blocker-based regiments inre-eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection: a real-world research
Yifan XU ; Fujuan LUAN ; Yanjun CHEN ; Danrong SHENG ; Yaqian LU ; Huang FENG
Chinese Journal of Digestion 2025;45(4):229-234
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of eradication therapy based on potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) for Helicobacter pylori( HP) infection in re-eradication therapy (the second-line therapy treatment after initial eradication failure of HP infection) and determine whether it can achieve the ideal eradication rate (90%). Methods:From January 2022 to December 2023, the clinical data of patients who received vonoprazan-based HP re-eradication therapy were collected in Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to their different HP treatment regimens, including VAMB group (vonoprazan 20 mg, quaque die( qd)+ amoxicillin 1 g, bis in die( bid)+ minocycline 100 mg, bid+ potassium bismuth citrate 220 mg, bid; 156 cases), VA group (vonoprazan 20 mg, bid+ amoxicillin 1 g, ter in die( tid); 44 cases), VMFB group (vonoprazan 20 mg qd+ minocycline 100 mg, bid+ furazolidone 100 mg, bid+ potassium bismuth citrate 220 mg, bid; 42 cases), and VAFB group (vonoprazan 20 mg, qd+ amoxicillin 1 g, bid+ furazolidone 100 mg, bid + potassium bismuth citrate 220 mg, bid; 13 cases). All the 4 groups of patients took the medication for 14 days. The 13C or 14C urea breath test would be conducted 4 weeks after the treatment. The overall eradication rate to evaluate the treatment efficacy. The eradication rate and adverse reaction rate were calculated for each group, and the eradication rates and adverse reaction rates between groups were compared using the chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Results:The total eradication rate of HP infection based on P-CAB therapy was 91.8% (234/255), and the total adverse reaction rate was 5.1% (13/255). The eradication rate and adverse reaction rate were 92.9% (145/156) and 3.2% (5/156) in the VAMB group, 84.1% (37/44) and 0 in the VA group 95.2% (40/42) and 11.9% (5/42) in the VMFB group, 12/13 and 3/13 in the VAFB group, respectively. Additionally, there was no statistical difference in the eradication rate among the 4 groups (Fisher′s exact test, P=0.227), but there was a statistical difference in the adverse reaction rates (Fisher′s exact test, P=0.002), and the adverse reaction rate of the VAFB group was higher than that of VAMB and VA groups and the differences were statistically significant (both Fisher′s excact test, P=0.016 and 0.010). Conclusions:The total HP re-eradication rate based on P-CAB therapies can reach 91.8%, achieving the ideal eradication rate of HP infection. The VA therapeutic regimen has the lowest incidence of adverse reactions, representing a novel therapeutic option for HP re-eradication.
10.Impact of transferring vitrified-thawed non-re-expanded blastocysts on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: a retrospective cohort study based on propensity score matching
Jie ZHU ; Huiqun YIN ; Cunli WANG ; Kang LUAN ; Yan WU ; Feng NI
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(7):696-701
Objective:To investigate the effect of the transfer of blastocysts that have not re-expanded after 2-4 h of thawing on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was performed to analyze the clinical data from 2 428 vitrified frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer cycles at the Reproductive Medicine Center of the 901st Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA between January 2015 and March 2024. Based on the re-expansion status of the blastocoel cavity after thawing, the cycles were divided into group A (110 non-re-expanded) and group B (2 318 re-expanded). After propensity score matching, there were 109 cycles in each group. Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes between the two groups were compared.Results:Before propensity score matching, there were statistical differences in percentage of good-quality blastocyst transfer, percentage of degree 4 blastocyst, percentage of endometriosis and others in reasons for infertility between the two groups (all P<0.05). After propensity score matching, there were no statistical differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (all P>0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate [27.52% (30/109)], the ongoing pregnancy rate [21.10% (23/109)] and the live birth rate [19.27% (21/109)] in group A were all significantly lower than those in group B [61.47% (67/109), 51.38% (56/109), 47.70% (52/109), all P<0.001]. Neonatal outcomes showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of birth weight, neonatal length, malformation rate, monozygotic twin rate and male neonatal rate (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Transfer of non-re-expanded blastocysts after thawing may reduce clinical pregnancy rate but does not negatively affect neonatal outcomes.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail