1.Research Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulation of Pyroptosis for Lung Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Qiongqiong GUO ; Meihao XUE ; Xuchao DONG ; Ping TIAN ; Rong HU ; Longxin XU ; Juan LI ; Jianqing LIANG ; Jintian LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):716-725
Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its treatment continues to face major challenges such as therapeutic resistance and tumor recurrence. Pyroptosis, a newly characterized form of programmed cell death, induces tumor cell death through gasdermin-mediated membrane pore formation and is accompanied by the release of inflammatory mediators, thereby playing complex roles in lung cancer initiation, progression, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Active components and herbal formulas derived from traditional Chinese medicine can modulate pyroptosis-related signaling pathways through multi-target mechanisms, showing potential advantages in inducing lung cancer cell death, inhibiting proliferation and migration, and reversing chemoresistance. This review systematically summarizes relevant studies from domestic and international sources, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis, its roles in lung cancer development and tumor microenvironment remodeling, and the current research progress on traditional Chinese medicine-based interventions targeting pyroptosis, with the aim of providing references for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer using traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Patterns and Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Based on Theory of ''Supporting Healthy Qi and Eliminating Pathogens''
Pengfei ZHANG ; Huijuan ZHANG ; Jianqing LIANG ; Jinhua WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):228-237
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as the most common subtype of lung cancer, has a high incidence and mortality rate among global cancer cases. Although modern medicine has made remarkable progress in the treatment of NSCLC with advances in screening technologies and continuous optimization of therapeutic regimens, current treatments inevitably result in adverse outcomes such as high tumor recurrence rates, significant toxic side effects, and poor quality of life for patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) holds that the core pathogenesis of lung cancer lies in ''deficiency of healthy Qi and excess of pathogenic factors''. It originates from congenital insufficiency or acquired malnourishment, leading to an imbalance of Yin and Yang, deficiency of healthy Qi, and inability to eliminate pathogenic factors. The interactions among Qi stagnation, phlegm accumulation, blood stasis, and toxins give rise to disease. The root is deficiency, while the manifestation is excess. Therefore, the treatment of lung cancer in TCM is generally guided by the principle of "supporting the healthy Qi and eliminating the pathogens". A large number of clinical and pharmacological studies have shown that TCM and its active components can, through multiple targets and mechanisms, alleviate postoperative and chemoradiotherapy-related adverse reactions, inhibit tumor growth and recurrence, and improve the quality of life of patients with NSCLC. It is worth noting that although extensive studies have been conducted on the therapeutic patterns and pharmacological mechanisms of TCM and its active substances in NSCLC treatment, issues such as the diversity of medicinal materials, the complexity of chemical components, the scientific basis of herbal compatibility, and the flexibility of dosage indicate that there is still considerable room for further clinical and basic research. This review summarizes recent literature on the clinical syndromes, drug selection, medication patterns, and pharmacological mechanisms of TCM and its active components in the treatment of NSCLC, aiming to provide guidance for clinical medication in TCM therapy for NSCLC and to deepen the understanding and research of its therapeutic mechanisms.
3.Effect of Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment on Lewis Lung Cancer Mice by Increasing Autophagic Flux and Stabilizing PD-L1 Expression Through Regulation of ERK Signaling Pathway
Nan YANG ; Qiangping MA ; Jianqing LIANG ; Kejun MIAO ; Shang LI ; Jintian LI ; Juan LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):107-114
ObjectiveTo investigate the antitumor effect and mechanism of Guiqi Yiyuan ointment on Lewis lung cancer mice based on the extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. MethodsA Lewis lung cancer mouse model was established. Except for the blank group, the model mice were randomly divided into the model group, Guiqi Yiyuan ointment low, medium, and high dose groups, and the extracellular ERK1/2 inhibitor group, with 10 mice per group. The Guiqi Yiyuan ointment was administered by gavage at doses of 1.75, 3.5, 7.0 g·kg-1·d-1 for the low, medium, and high dose groups, respectively. The ERK1/2 inhibitor group was given the ERK1/2 inhibitor LY3214996 (100 mg·kg-1·d-1) by gavage. The treatment was administered for 14 consecutive days, after which samples were collected. Tumor histopathological changes were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe ultrastructural changes in tumor cells. Immunofluorescence was performed to measure the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and the expression of programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in tumor tissues. Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were used to detect the expression of p-ERK1/2, PD-L1, the autophagy marker Beclin-1, the autophagic protein p62, and the microtubule-associated protein light chains LC3Ⅰ and LC3Ⅱ at both the protein and gene levels. ResultsCompared with the model group, the average tumor weight was significantly reduced in the low and medium dose groups of Guiqi Yiyuan ointment (P<0.05), and markedly reduced in the high dose and inhibitor groups (P<0.01). Tumor cells in all treatment groups became progressively irregular, with ruptured nuclei and expanded areas of cell disintegration and necrosis. The number of organellar ablations in tumor tissues increased, and the number of autophagic vesicles also increased in all groups. The mean fluorescence intensity of p-ERK1/2 and PD-L1 was reduced in the low and medium dose groups of Guiqi Yiyuan ointment (P<0.05), and significantly reduced in the high dose and inhibitor groups (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of ERK1/2, PD-L1, Beclin-1, and p62 was reduced in the medium dose group (P<0.05), while LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ mRNA expression was elevated (P<0.05). In the high dose and inhibitor groups, mRNA expression of ERK1/2, PD-L1, Beclin-1, and p62 was significantly reduced (P<0.01), while LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). Protein expression of p-ERK1/2, PD-L1, Beclin-1, and p62 was reduced in the medium dose group (P<0.05), and LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ protein expression was elevated (P<0.05). In the high dose and inhibitor groups, protein expression of p-ERK1/2, PD-L1, Beclin-1, and p62 was significantly reduced (P<0.01), while LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ protein expression was significantly elevated (P<0.01). ConclusionGuiqi Yiyuan ointment may inhibit the activation of the ERK signaling pathway, downregulate the expression of p-ERK1/2, promote autophagic flux in tumor cells, and regulate the expression of PD-L1, thereby exerting an inhibitory effect on tumor growth in Lewis lung cancer mice.
4.Experimental Research Progress of TCM Compounds in the Treatment of Parkinson Disease
Ziwei LYU ; Jianqing LIANG ; Xingling WANG ; Guangjie SUN
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(4):193-197
Parkinson disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease whose incidence increases year by year as the population ages.TCM compounds for the treatment of Parkinson disease has the characteristics of multiple components,targets,and pathways.Combined treatment with Western medicine can achieve synergistic effects and reduce adverse drug reactions.This article focused on the mechanism of TCM compounds for the treatment of Parkinson disease,reviewed relevant experimental studies in recent years.TCM compounds may exert therapeutic effects on Parkinson disease by regulating oxidative stress,mitochondrial dysfunction,neurotransmitters,neuroinflammation,abnormal protein aggregation,cell apoptosis,stem cell transplantation,neurotrophic factors,second messengers,and other mechanisms,in order to provide basis for clinical treatment of Parkinson disease.
5.Experimental Research Progress of TCM Compounds in the Treatment of Parkinson Disease
Ziwei LYU ; Jianqing LIANG ; Xingling WANG ; Guangjie SUN
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(4):193-197
Parkinson disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease whose incidence increases year by year as the population ages.TCM compounds for the treatment of Parkinson disease has the characteristics of multiple components,targets,and pathways.Combined treatment with Western medicine can achieve synergistic effects and reduce adverse drug reactions.This article focused on the mechanism of TCM compounds for the treatment of Parkinson disease,reviewed relevant experimental studies in recent years.TCM compounds may exert therapeutic effects on Parkinson disease by regulating oxidative stress,mitochondrial dysfunction,neurotransmitters,neuroinflammation,abnormal protein aggregation,cell apoptosis,stem cell transplantation,neurotrophic factors,second messengers,and other mechanisms,in order to provide basis for clinical treatment of Parkinson disease.
6.Recommendations for the timing, dosage, and usage of corticosteroids during cytokine release syndrome (CRS) caused by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy for hematologic malignancies.
Sanfang TU ; Xiu LUO ; Heng MEI ; Yongxian HU ; Yang LIU ; Ping LI ; Dehui ZOU ; Ting NIU ; Kailin XU ; Xi ZHANG ; Lugui QIU ; Lei GAO ; Guangxun GAO ; Li ZHANG ; Yimei FENG ; Ying WANG ; Mingfeng ZHAO ; Jianqing MI ; Ming HOU ; Jianmin YANG ; He HUANG ; Jianxiang WANG ; Yu HU ; Weili ZHAO ; Depei WU ; Jun MA ; Yuhua LI ; Wenbin QIAN ; Xiaojun HUANG ; Weidong HAN ; Aibin LIANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(22):2681-2683
7.Efficacy of using the fourth arm in retroperitoneal robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for cT1b stage renal tumors
Shaojun CHEN ; Xiuwu PAN ; Jianqing YE ; Liang ZHANG ; Xingang CUI
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(7):576-580
Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of using the fourth arm in retroperitoneal robot-assisted partial nephrectomy(PN)for cT1b stage renal tumors.Methods Clinical data of 49 patients with cT1b stage renal tumors who underwent retroperitoneal robot-assisted PN performed by the same surgeon in our hospital during Jan.2022 and Dec.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into two groups based on whether the fourth arm was used or not:application group(n=21)and non-application group(n=28).The basic information,operation time,warm ischemia time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative complications and other data were compared between the two groups.Results All operations were successful,with no conversion to open surgery or radical nephrectomy.The application group had significantly shorter operation time[(128.76±31.58)min vs.(151.11±33.21)min,P=0.021],shorter warm ischemia time[(24.67±4.80)min vs.(27.61±3.54)min,P=0.017],and less intraoperative blood loss[(109.05±39.99)mL vs.(139.29±54.43)mL,P=0.037]compared with the non-application group.The increase of postoperative creatinine was(18.64±16.05)μmol/L in the application group and(20.30±13.49)μmol/L in the non-application group respectively.Complications occurred in 3 cases in the application group and 5 cases in the non-application group,with no significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion When we perform the retroperitoneal robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for cT1b stage renal tumors,using the fourth arm can shorten the operation time and warm ischemia time,and reduce the intraoperative blood loss,which should be applied more in clinic.
8.Application and research progress of lasers in kidney neoplasm treatment: an intergrated bibliometric and Meta-analysis study
Yifan LIU ; Xiuwu PAN ; Bingnan LU ; Shaojun CHEN ; Jianqing YE ; Liang ZHANG ; Xingang CUI
Chinese Journal of Urology 2024;45(7):544-551
Objective:To explore the application and research progress of lasers in the treatment of kidney neoplasms through an integrated bibliometric and Meta-analysis study.Methods:On June 7th, 2024, an online search of the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases for all relevant literature on lasers in kidney neoplasms was conducted. The retrieved results were subjected to a comprehensive bibliometric analysis. The high-quality studies were then screened to further describe the clinical characteristics of patients who underwent laser-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LLPN). Subsequently, a Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1 software on further selected high-quality studies to compare the changes in renal function before and after LLPN treatment, and the differences in efficacy between LLPN and traditional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN).Results:Our study obtained a total of 549 publications on lasers in kidney neoplasms, including 513 in English and 36 in Chinese. Bibliometric analysis revealed an overall upward trend in the annual publications and citations in this field. China was found to be a leading contributor ranking second in total publications ( n=100, 18.2%). The primary application of laser treatment was in nephron-sparing surgery for kidney neoplasms, especially in LPN. We further screened 11 high-quality studies comprising 284 patients who underwent LLPN for kidney neoplasms. Comprehensive descriptive statistical analysis was performed on clinical characteristics of the 284 patients. All patients had T 1a stage tumors with a mean tumor length of 2.6 cm (range: 0.8-4.0 cm), all being local, solitary, and exophytic tumors. Further Meta-analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in renal function indicators including both serum creatinine levels ( MD=4.52, 95% CI-9.73-0.69, P = 0.09) and estimated glomerular filtration rate ( MD=3.05, 95% CI-1.03-7.13, P= 0.14) before and after LLPN. Additionally, compared to traditional LPN, LLPN showed significantly reduced operative time ( MD=-10.58, 95% CI= -13.11-8.06, P<0.001), but no significant differences in estimated blood loss ( MD= -27.09, 95% CI-67.38-13.21, P=0.19) and hospital stay ( MD=-1.59, 95% CI-3.42-0.25, P=0.09). Conclusions:The application of lasers in managing of kidney neoplasms is arousing increasing attention among urologists. LLPN offers several advantages, including precise cutting and effective hemostasis. This technique demonstrates considerable clinical value for patients with exophytic T 1a kidney neoplasms undergoing "zero-ischemia" nephron-sparing surgery.
9.Exploration on the Effects of Compound Dihuang Granules on Parkinson Disease Rats with Yin Deficiency and Wind Movement Syndrome Based on PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Zhijing ZHANG ; Jianqing LIANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(7):83-90
Objective To explore the effects of compound Dihuang Granules on the Parkinson disease(PD)rats with yin deficiency and wind movement syndrome based on PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway;To explore the mechanism of its mechanism on PD.Methods A rat model of PD with yin deficiency and wind movement syndrome was prepared by injecting 6-OHDA to substantia nigra.The rats were randomly divided into control group,sham-operation group,model group,madopar group,and compound Dihuang Granules low-,medium-,and high-dosage groups,with 10 rats in each group.Each group was treated with corresponding solution by gavage for 28 consecutive days.After treatment,the neurobehavioral changes of rats were detected,HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in substantia nigra,and RT-qPCR was used to detect the expressions of PI3K,AKT,mTOR,p62 and LC3B mRNA in damaged substantia nigra,immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of p-PI3K,p-AKT and p-mTOR in damaged substantia nigra,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of p-PI3K,PI3K,p-AKT,AKT,p-mTOR,mTOR,p62 and LC3B protein in damaged substantia nigra.Results Compared with the control group and sham-operation group,the model group rats showed an increase in the number of rotations,an extension of pole climbing time,and a decrease in suspension time and number of moving grids(P<0.01),with disordered arrangement of substantia nigra neurons,nuclear pyknosis,and blurred structure,the expressions of PI3K,AKT,mTOR and p62 mRNA in damaged substantia nigra increased,the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-AKT,p-mTOR and p62 increased,and the expressions of LC3B mRNA and LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ protein decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the number of rotations and pole climbing time of rats in madopar group and compound Dihuang Granules groups decreased,while the suspension time and number of moving grids increased(P<0.01),with increased number of substantia nigra neurons and improved structural morphology,the expressions of PI3K,AKT,mTOR and p62 mRNA in damaged substantia nigra decreased,the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-AKT,p-mTOR and p62 decreased,and the expressions of LC3B mRNA and LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ protein increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).The compound Dihuang Granules high-dosage group had the most significant effect(P<0.05,P<0.01),and there was no statistically difference compared with the madopar group(P>0.05).Conclusion Compound Dihuang Granules may enhance damaged substantia nigra autophagy by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,protect dopaminergic neurons,and treat PD.
10.Exploration on the Intervention Effect and Mechanism of Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment Combined with Cisplatin on Lewis Lung Cancer Mice Based on lncRNA H19/miR-19b3p/FTH1 Axis
Chunxia XUE ; Jianqing LIANG ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Yinxia JIN ; Shang LI ; Pu ZHANG ; Nan YANG ; Jintian LI ; Juan LI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(8):90-96
Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment combined with cisplatin on Lewis lung cancer mice and its mechanism based on the lncRNA H19/miR-19b3p/FTH1 axis.Methods Totally 60 SPF grade male C57BL/6 mice were randomly selected as blank group,and Lewis lung cancer mouse model was replicated in the remaining 50 mice.The modeled mice were randomly divided into model group,cisplatin group,and TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage combined with cisplatin group,with 10 mice in each group.The cisplatin group was given intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 5 mg/kg,while the TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage combined with cisplatin group were given Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment 1.75,3.5,7.0 g/kg by gavage combined with intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 5 mg/kg,the blank group and model group were given equal volume of normal saline by gavage for 14 consecutive days.The general condition of mice was observed,the tumor mass of mice was measured,and the tumor inhibition rate,spleen index,and thymus index were calculated,HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of tumor tissue,and the contents of malondialdehyde(MDA),reduced glutathione(GSH),hydrogen peroxide(H2O2),and ferrous ions(Fe2+)were detected in the tumor tissue,immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1)and solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)protein in tumor tissue,real time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of lncRNA H19 and miR-19b3p mRNA in tumor tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass,spleen index and thymus index of mice in the model group were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the mental state and tumor histopathological morphology of mice in each administration group were improved to different degrees,the tumor mass of mice was reduced(P<0.05),the spleen index and the thymus index of mice increased(P<0.05),tumor cell lysis,rupture,and decrease in quantity,the contents of MDA,H2O2,Fe2+in tumor tissue increased(P<0.05),while GSH content decreased(P<0.05),the expression of Nrf2,GPX4,FTH1,SLC7A11 protein in tumor tissue decreased(P<0.05),the lncRNA H19 mRNA expression decreased(P<0.05),miR-19b3p mRNA expression increased(P<0.05).Compared with the cisplatin group,the tumor mass of mice in TCM high-dosage combined with cisplatin group reduced(P<0.05),the body mass,spleen index and thymus index increased(P<0.05),the contents of MDA,H2O2,Fe2+in tumor tissue of mice increased(P<0.05),the content of GSH decreased(P<0.05),the expression of Nrf2,FTH1,SLC7A11,GPX4 protein expression decreased(P<0.05),lncRNA H19 mRNA expression decreased(P<0.05),miR-19b3p mRNA expression increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment combined with cisplatin can significantly inhibit the tumor of Lewis lung cancer mice,and its mechanism may be related to regulating the expression of ferroptosis molecules related to the lncRNA H19/miR-19b3p/FTH1 axis.

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