Objective To investigate the underlying mechanisms of the effect of Fufang Changtai Decoction(FFCT)in inhibiting colorectal cancer(CRC)through the ferroptosis pathway using network pharmacology combined with experimental validation.Methods The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP)and Swiss Target Prediction databases were employed for the systematic screening of potent active ingredients and therapeutic targets of FFCT.In addition,the identification of CRC-associated genes and ferroptosis-related genes(FRGs)was accomplished using the Gene Cards and FerrDb databases,respectively.Venn diagrams,coupled with Cytoscape software,facilitated the comprehensive analysis of key FRGs involved in FFCT's intervention in CRC by mapping the TCM compound-therapeutic target network.Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the mitochondrial ultrastructure of SW480 and HCT116,2 Human CRC cell lines,after treatment with FFCT-containing serum.Intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were measured using a ROS detection kit.To assess the role of ferroptosis,ferroptosis inhibitor liproxstatin-1(Lip-1)was co-administered with FFCT-containing serum.The effects on cancer cell viability and proliferation were evaluated using CCK-8 and colony formation assays.Key molecular targets involved in the regulatory effects of FFCT on the expression of FRGs were further analyzed using PCR Array and Western blot.The findings were then validated with human CRC tissue microarrays.Results A total of 103 active ingredients of FFCT,739 therapeutic targets,9 101 disease-related genes,and 564 FRGs were identified.Venn diagram analysis identified 81 FRGs associated with FFCT intervention.Network analysis revealed that NQO1,TP53,and PTGS2 served as hub nodes in the regulatory network.Findings from the in vitro experiments showed that FFCT induced ferroptosis changes,including mitochondrial condensation,membrane thickening,and cristae reduction,in SW480 and HCT116 cells.FFCT treatment significantly increased intracellular ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05)and reduced cancer cell viability and proliferative capacity(P<0.01).These inhibitory effects were partially reversed by Lip-1,suggesting that FFCT's antitumor activity was closely associated with the ferroptosis pathway.PCR Array and Western blot analyses further confirmed that FFCT significantly downregulated NQO1 mRNA and protein expression in cancer cells(P<0.001),which was consistent with network pharmacology predictions.Immunofluorescence analysis of clinical CRC tissue microarrays revealed that NQO1 expression was significantly higher in tumor tissues than in adjacent non-tumor tissues(P<0.001).Conclusion FFCT may induce intracellular ferroptosis by downregulating the oncogenic gene NQO1,thereby exerting anti-CRC effects.

As an important part of the external treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupoint has the advantages of simple operation, remarkable effectiveness and safety. Recently, it has been widely used in the treatment of patients with cirrhosis ascites, either alone, or in combination with other external treatments. It can improve ascites symptoms and reduce recurrence rates. Physicians select acupoint based on the meridian acupoint theory or their own methods. The acupoints are mainly Shenque (CV 8), Qihai (CV 5), Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (RN 4), Zhongwan (CV 12) and other Ren meridian acupoints, supplemented by the bladder meridian, the liver meridian, the stomach meridian, and the spleen meridian. The Chinese medical drugs, mostly in terms of compounds, have function for relieasing stasis water, regulating qi and tonifying deficiency. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen basic research, treatment based on syndrome differentiation and improve the quality of clinical researchs.

Maintenance hemodialysis can improve many symptoms of patients with end-stage renal disease, but long-term dialysis can cause various physiological symptoms and psychological negative emotions. As a positive psychological change, post-traumatic growth plays a role in relieving patients' psychological pressure and reducing their pain. However, the post-traumatic growth of patients with maintenance hemodialysis needs to be improved. This article reviewed the status, influencing factors and interventions of post-traumatic growth in maintenance hemodialysis patients in order to provide reference for psychological care of such patients.

The authors stated post-operative adjuvant therapy, combined chemotherapy, and palliative treatment for colorectal cancer, trying to summarize progress of the treatment of colorectal cancer with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, researching the mechanism of action. The authors also presented their arguments.