1.Current Status and Prospects of Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment for Gastric Precancerous Lesions
Haiyan BAI ; Tai ZHANG ; Ping WANG ; Lin LIU ; Weichao XU ; Yaxin TIAN ; Lanshuo HU ; Qian YANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):410-415
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), through its multi-target and systematic regulatory effects, has demonstrated unique advantages in the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions (GPL). At present, TCM theoretical research on GPL is mainly reflected in three aspects, the integration of macroscopic syndrome differentiation, the inflammation-carcinoma transformation mechanism, as well as the systematization and scientization of theoretical inheritance from famous TCM practitioners. High-quality evidence-based research findings serve as the foundation for clinical practice guidelines on GPL, and TCM has gained international academic recognition in the field of GPL prevention and treatment. Research on TCM mechanisms has yielded a series of important outcomes in the aspects of signaling pathways, gene expression regulation, cellular epigenetics, histone modification, and intestinal microecology. It is proposed that future research on GPL should focus on four key directions, establishing multi-omics data, exploring targeted intervention strategies on key regulatory nodes, advancing the standardization process of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine prevention and treatment technologies, and constructing stratified screening and intervention platforms. The in-depth integration of TCM microcosmic mechanism of action with its macroscopic syndrome differentiation and treatment system, coupled with interdisciplinary research, will provide valuable references for the clinical treatment and scientific research of GPL.
2.A systematic review on the integrated application of evidence-based narrative education and undergraduate nursing teaching
Nannan BAI ; Meng LI ; Qian LIANG ; Chou YAO ; Yan WANG ; Ju HAN ; Chenyang HOU ; Nana XING
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(2):229-237
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the application of narrative education in undergraduate nursing teaching, to understand the current application status of narrative education, and to provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent establishment of a sound narrative education system. MethodsA systematic search was conducted for studies published in Chinese and English databases on applying narrative education to undergraduate nursing teaching, with the search period ranging from database inception to February 23, 2025. Literature was screened, and relevant information was extracted. A rigorous quality evaluation was conducted on the included studies, and a descriptive analysis was performed on their content. ResultsA total of 20 papers were included, involving 3,180 research subjects, all of whom were undergraduate nursing students. The results of descriptive analysis showed that the teaching model of narrative education primarily encompassed reading narrative works, watching films and videos, performing narrative scenarios, and writing reflective journals. The course setting and content covered pre-teaching preparation and in-teaching implementation. The evaluation of teaching effectiveness included the evaluation of teachers’ teaching methods (student evaluation/self-evaluation) and the evaluation of students’ learning effectiveness (course grade evaluation/humanistic care scale/empathy scale assessment, and others). ConclusionNarrative education combines abstract concepts with concrete clinical situations, which not only enriches students’ learning experiences but also enhances their humanistic literacy. Meanwhile, it provides teachers with opportunities to develop their narrative teaching skills, which requires them to possess profound professional knowledge and employ narrative techniques to guide students in reflection and critical thinking, thereby improving teaching quality and learning outcomes. Future efforts should consistently deepen the connotation research of narrative education and build a systematic nursing education system.
3.Analysis of Risk Factors and Establishment of Prediction Model for Turbidity Toxicity Accumulation Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Yican WANG ; Chenggong ZHAO ; Pengli DU ; Jie WANG ; Yuxi GUO ; Haiyan BAI ; Yongli HUO ; Xiaomeng LANG ; Zheng ZHI ; Bolin LI ; Jianping LIU ; Yanru CAI ; Jianming JIANG ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):288-295
ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the risk factors for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome and establish a prediction model. MethodsClinical data of 180 patients with CAG who participated in the "clinical study of Xianglian Huazhuo Particles blocking CAG cancer transformation" of Hebei Sheng Zhong Yi Yuan from July 2021 to March 2022 were collected. After confounding factors were controlled by propensity score matching, patients were divided into a training set (namely dev) and a validation set (namely vad) in a seven to three ratio. The risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome in the training set were investigated by using univariate Logistic regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (namely Lasso) regression algorithms. Subsequently, a model, named model 1se, was developed by using the training set data to predict the risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome. The accuracy of the prediction model was assessed by using various methods, including the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test (H-L), calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA). ResultsAge, body mass index (BMI), family history of cancer, job and life satisfaction, yellow and greasy fur with slippery pulse, and heavy body sensation were independent risk factors of the model. The prediction model showed excellent predictive value for both the training and validation sets. ConclusionThe established prediction model for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome has high discrimination and excellent calibration, which could provide an excellent clinical basis for disease diagnosis and individualized treatment of patients.
4.Analysis of Risk Factors and Establishment of Prediction Model for Turbidity Toxicity Accumulation Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Yican WANG ; Chenggong ZHAO ; Pengli DU ; Jie WANG ; Yuxi GUO ; Haiyan BAI ; Yongli HUO ; Xiaomeng LANG ; Zheng ZHI ; Bolin LI ; Jianping LIU ; Yanru CAI ; Jianming JIANG ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):288-295
ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the risk factors for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome and establish a prediction model. MethodsClinical data of 180 patients with CAG who participated in the "clinical study of Xianglian Huazhuo Particles blocking CAG cancer transformation" of Hebei Sheng Zhong Yi Yuan from July 2021 to March 2022 were collected. After confounding factors were controlled by propensity score matching, patients were divided into a training set (namely dev) and a validation set (namely vad) in a seven to three ratio. The risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome in the training set were investigated by using univariate Logistic regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (namely Lasso) regression algorithms. Subsequently, a model, named model 1se, was developed by using the training set data to predict the risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome. The accuracy of the prediction model was assessed by using various methods, including the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test (H-L), calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA). ResultsAge, body mass index (BMI), family history of cancer, job and life satisfaction, yellow and greasy fur with slippery pulse, and heavy body sensation were independent risk factors of the model. The prediction model showed excellent predictive value for both the training and validation sets. ConclusionThe established prediction model for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome has high discrimination and excellent calibration, which could provide an excellent clinical basis for disease diagnosis and individualized treatment of patients.
5.Integrating Transcriptomics and 3D Organoids to Investigate Mechanism of Periplaneta americana Extract Against Lung Adenocarcinoma
Qiong MA ; Chunxia HUANG ; Jiawei HE ; Yuting BAI ; Xingyue LIU ; Yuxuan XIONG ; Yang ZHONG ; Hengzhou LAI ; Yuling JIANG ; Xueke LI ; Qian WANG ; Yifeng REN ; Xi FU ; Funeng GENG ; Taoqing WU ; Ping XIAO ; Fengming YOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):124-132
ObjectiveTo evaluate the antitumor activity of Periplaneta americana extract(PAE) against human-derived lung adenocarcinoma organoids(LUAD-PDOs) and to elucidate its potential mechanism based on transcriptomics. MethodsFresh tumor and adjacent normal tissues from patients with LUAD were collected to construct LUAD-PDOs and normal lung organoid(Nor-PDOs) models using 3D organoid culture technology. The effective intervention concentration of PAE was determined using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay. Experimental groups included the model group(LUAD-PDOs), normal group, model administration group(LUAD-PDOs+PAE), and normal administration group(Nor-PDOs+PAE). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological structures of PDOs, immunohistochemistry(IHC) was performed to detect the expressions of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and lung adenocarcinoma differentiation markers cytokeratin-7(CK-7) and Napsin A, TUNEL staining was applied to detect cell apoptosis. RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq) was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs), followed by Gene Ontology(GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA), alongside protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis to screen core mechanisms. Finally, key targets were validated by integrating external database analysis with immunofluorescence(IF). ResultsNor-PDOs and LUAD-PDOs that highly recapitulated the pathological characteristics of the primary tissues were successfully established. The CCK-8 assay determined that the effective intervention concentration of PAE was 16 g·L-1. Morphological observation showed that Nor-PDOs exhibited lumen-forming structures, whereas LUAD-PDOs displayed dense, solid structures. CCK-8 and TUNEL assays revealed that, compared with the model group, PAE intervention inhibited the proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promoted apoptosis in LUAD cells, while showing no significant effect on the viability of Nor-PDOs. Transcriptomic analysis identified 719 DEGs that were significantly reversed after PAE intervention(347 up-regulated and 372 down-regulated)(P<0.05). GO enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs in the model administration group were significantly enriched in biological processes related to cell cycle regulation compared to the model group. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that PAE affected pathways related to proliferation and metabolism, including pathways in cancer and the p53 signaling pathway. GSEA further confirmed that PAE significantly enhanced the activity of the p53 signaling pathway(P<0.05). PPI network analysis indicated that breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein(BRCA1) and checkpoint kinase 1(CHEK1) were the core down-regulated targets in the p53 pathway. IF verified the high expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 in LUAD-PDOs and their significant downregulation after PAE intervention(P<0.05). Furthermore, survival analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) database indicated that low expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 was significantly associated with prolonged overall survival in patients with LUAD(P<0.05). ConclusionPAE effectively inhibits proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promotes their apoptosis, its anti-tumor mechanism is potentially associated with the activation of the p53 signaling pathway, with BRCA1 and CHEK1 genes likely serving as key downstream targets for the effects of PAE.
6.Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription Regulates miR-34b-5p/PFKFB1 Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Glycolysis and Ameliorate Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Yuxi GUO ; Pengli DU ; Ziqi JIN ; Yican LIN ; Yanru DU ; Haiyan BAI ; Xinran YANG ; Danyang ZHAO ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):29-38
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Xianglian Huazhuo prescription (XLHZ) ameliorates chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) through regulating glycolysis via the microRNA-34b-5p (miR-34b-5p)/6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 1 (PFKFB1) signaling pathway. MethodsBioinformatic screening was performed to identify the target genes of miR-34b-5p. In the animal experiments, a mouse model of CAG was established through a combination of N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), ranitidine, and irregular feeding. The mice were randomized into the following groups: normal, model, Morodan group (2 g·kg-1), and high-, medium-, and low-dose XLHZ groups(7.2,3.8,1.9 g·kg-1). In the cell experiments, GES-1 cells were treated with MNNG for the modeling of CAG and grouped as follows: GES-1, MNNG+GES-1, MNNG+GES-1+XLHZ(10%), MNNG+GES-1+miR-34b-5p mimics, MNNG+GES-1+miR-34b-5p inhibitor, MNNG+GES-1+PFKFB1 inhibitor, and MNNG+GES-1+PFKFB1 mimics+XLHZ(10%). The general conditions of mice were observed. Real-time PCR was adopted to measure the expression levels of miRNA-34b-5p and PFKFB1 mRNA in the gastric mucosa of mice in each group. Dual luciferase reporter gene was used to verify the targeting interaction between miR-34b-5p and PFKFB1 in GES-1 cells exposed to MNNG. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to screen the drug-containing serum concentration. Real-time PCR was employed to verify the transfection efficiency. Fluorescent probes were used to detect the expression and nuclear translocation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in each group of cells. The protein levels of HIF-1α, hexokinase 2 (HK2), PFKFB1, phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK1), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA) in the gastric mucosa of mice were determined by Western blot. The levels of glucose consumption and lactate in the serum and cells were measured by biochemical methods. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the content of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the gastric mucosa tissue and cells. ResultsThe animal experiments showed that compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited symptoms including mental fatigue, lethargy, sparse and dull fur, a tendency to curl up, sluggish responses, reduced food and water intake, and slow body weight gain. In addition, the model group showed decreased expression of miRNA-34b-5p (P<0.01), increased mRNA level of PFKFB1 (P<0.01), upregulated protein levels of HIF-1α, HK2, PFKFB1, PFK1, and LDHA (P<0.01), and increased glucose consumption, lactate content, and ATP content (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the XLHZ group and Morodan group showed improved mental state, gradually improved fur, increased activity, food and water intake, and body weight. HE showed that each treatment group exhibited well arranged and increased gastric mucosal glands, reduced inflammatory cells, and recovered gastric pits. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the size of mitochondria in each treatment group returned to normal, with no obvious irregular shape, complete and clear cristae, and uniform matrix. Furthermore, each treatment group showed increased expression of miRNA-34b-5p (P<0.05), reduced mRNA level of PFKFB1 (P<0.05), downregulated protein levels of HIF-1α, HK2, PFKFB1, PFK1, and LDHA (P<0.05), and decreased glucose consumption, lactic acid, and ATP (P<0.05). The cell experiments showed that the expression and nuclear translocation of HIF-1α were reduced in all groups after treatment (P<0.05). The cell transfection efficiency was satisfactory (P<0.05). miR-34b-5p exhibited an effect comparable to that of XLHZ, effectively inhibiting glycolysis, whereas PFKFB1 promoted glycolysis and reversed the protective effect of XLHZ in CAG mice (P<0.05). ConclusionXLHZ could regulate the miR-34b-5p/PFKFB1 axis to inhibit glycolysis, thereby ameliorating MNNG-induced gastric mucosal atrophy.
7.Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription Regulates miR-34b-5p/PFKFB1 Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Glycolysis and Ameliorate Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Yuxi GUO ; Pengli DU ; Ziqi JIN ; Yican LIN ; Yanru DU ; Haiyan BAI ; Xinran YANG ; Danyang ZHAO ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):29-38
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Xianglian Huazhuo prescription (XLHZ) ameliorates chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) through regulating glycolysis via the microRNA-34b-5p (miR-34b-5p)/6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 1 (PFKFB1) signaling pathway. MethodsBioinformatic screening was performed to identify the target genes of miR-34b-5p. In the animal experiments, a mouse model of CAG was established through a combination of N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), ranitidine, and irregular feeding. The mice were randomized into the following groups: normal, model, Morodan group (2 g·kg-1), and high-, medium-, and low-dose XLHZ groups(7.2,3.8,1.9 g·kg-1). In the cell experiments, GES-1 cells were treated with MNNG for the modeling of CAG and grouped as follows: GES-1, MNNG+GES-1, MNNG+GES-1+XLHZ(10%), MNNG+GES-1+miR-34b-5p mimics, MNNG+GES-1+miR-34b-5p inhibitor, MNNG+GES-1+PFKFB1 inhibitor, and MNNG+GES-1+PFKFB1 mimics+XLHZ(10%). The general conditions of mice were observed. Real-time PCR was adopted to measure the expression levels of miRNA-34b-5p and PFKFB1 mRNA in the gastric mucosa of mice in each group. Dual luciferase reporter gene was used to verify the targeting interaction between miR-34b-5p and PFKFB1 in GES-1 cells exposed to MNNG. The cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to screen the drug-containing serum concentration. Real-time PCR was employed to verify the transfection efficiency. Fluorescent probes were used to detect the expression and nuclear translocation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in each group of cells. The protein levels of HIF-1α, hexokinase 2 (HK2), PFKFB1, phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK1), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA) in the gastric mucosa of mice were determined by Western blot. The levels of glucose consumption and lactate in the serum and cells were measured by biochemical methods. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the content of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the gastric mucosa tissue and cells. ResultsThe animal experiments showed that compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited symptoms including mental fatigue, lethargy, sparse and dull fur, a tendency to curl up, sluggish responses, reduced food and water intake, and slow body weight gain. In addition, the model group showed decreased expression of miRNA-34b-5p (P<0.01), increased mRNA level of PFKFB1 (P<0.01), upregulated protein levels of HIF-1α, HK2, PFKFB1, PFK1, and LDHA (P<0.01), and increased glucose consumption, lactate content, and ATP content (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the XLHZ group and Morodan group showed improved mental state, gradually improved fur, increased activity, food and water intake, and body weight. HE showed that each treatment group exhibited well arranged and increased gastric mucosal glands, reduced inflammatory cells, and recovered gastric pits. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the size of mitochondria in each treatment group returned to normal, with no obvious irregular shape, complete and clear cristae, and uniform matrix. Furthermore, each treatment group showed increased expression of miRNA-34b-5p (P<0.05), reduced mRNA level of PFKFB1 (P<0.05), downregulated protein levels of HIF-1α, HK2, PFKFB1, PFK1, and LDHA (P<0.05), and decreased glucose consumption, lactic acid, and ATP (P<0.05). The cell experiments showed that the expression and nuclear translocation of HIF-1α were reduced in all groups after treatment (P<0.05). The cell transfection efficiency was satisfactory (P<0.05). miR-34b-5p exhibited an effect comparable to that of XLHZ, effectively inhibiting glycolysis, whereas PFKFB1 promoted glycolysis and reversed the protective effect of XLHZ in CAG mice (P<0.05). ConclusionXLHZ could regulate the miR-34b-5p/PFKFB1 axis to inhibit glycolysis, thereby ameliorating MNNG-induced gastric mucosal atrophy.
8.Quality evaluation of Zhachong-13 pills based on the content determination of 12 components combined with multivariate statistical analysis
Wei ZHANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Tuya BAI ; Xinkui LI ; Yuxia HU ; Mengdi ZHANG ; Jing LIU ; Fang WANG ; Jun LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(19):2509-2515
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality of Zhachong-13 pills.METHODS The contents of agarotetrol, costunolide, hypaconitine, dehydrocostus lactone, mesaconitine, aconitine, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, ellagic acid, liquiritin, corilagin, and gallic acid in 18 batches of samples were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method. Cluster analysis (CA) was performed using the Microbioinformatics online analysis platform. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed using SIMCA 14.1 software. Random forest, extremely randomized trees, and extreme gradient boosting machine learning models were constructed using the SPSSAU online analysis platform. The comprehensive quality of the samples was evaluated by the entropy weight-technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method.RESULTS The contents of the above 12 components were 104.331-694.382, 652.217-1 085.075, 6.051-130.980, 612.174-1 417.179, 1.018-32.239, 0.953-24.967, 65.552-652.239, 2 019.412-5 385.807, 52.867-4 990.450, 156.307-883.180, 10.142-475.722, and 1 102.863-4 826.396 μg/g, respectively. The results of CA and PCA showed that the 18 batches of samples were divided into two categories: S1-S6, S10-S15 were grouped into one category, while S7-S9 and S16-S18 were grouped into another category. The OPLS-DA results showed that the variable importance in projection values of mesaconitine, glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin, ellagic acid, hypaconitine, liquiritigenin, agarotetrol, gallic acid, and dehydrocostus lactone were greater than 1. The results of the three machine learning models showed that ellagic acid and hypaconitine had relatively large differential contributions. The entropy weight-TOPSIS results showed that the overall quality of samples from manufacturer B was superior to that of the other four manufacturers.CONCLUSIONS The established method is stable and feasible, and can be used to evaluate the quality of Zhachong-13 pills, in combination with multivariate statistical analysis. Ellagic acid and hypaconitine are differential markers that affect its quality.
9.Qingre Sanzhuo Decoction Treats Gouty Arthritis Combined with Hyperuricaemia in Rats via NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 Pathway
Haolin LI ; Qian BAI ; Weigang CHENG ; Weiqing LI ; Juanjuan YANG ; Peixin HE ; Huijun YANG ; Haidong WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):49-57
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Qingre Sanzhuo decoction in treating gouty arthritis (GA) combined with hyperuricaemia (HUA). MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomized into normal, model, colchicine (0.5 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (17, 34, 68 g·kg-1, respectively) Qingre Sanzhuo decoction groups (n=10). The rats in other groups except the normal group were treated with the modified method for the modeling of GA combined with HUA. The drug intervention groups were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage in the afternoon every day and the normal group and the model group were administrated with an equal volume of sterile normal saline by gavage. The level of uric acid (SUA) in the serum was measured 2 h after the last administration. The degree of ankle joint swelling was calculated 0.5, 12, 24, 48 h after modeling, and joint inflammation was scored. The pathological changes of ankle joints were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), C reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time PCR was performed to determine the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 (Caspase-1), gasdermin D (GSDMD), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the synovial tissue of ankle joints. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1 in ankle joints. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of GSDMD and NF-κB in the synovial tissue of ankle joints. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed increased SUA in the serum (P<0.05), ankle joint swelling and joint inflammation (P<0.05), increased number of blood vessels in the synovium, inflammatory cell foci in the synovial bursa, elevated serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP, and IL-18 (P<0.05), and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and NF-κB in the synovial tissue of ankle joints (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the medium- and high-dose Qingre Sanzhuo decoction groups showed reduced SUA in the serum (P<0.05), alleviated ankle joint swelling and joint inflammation (P<0.05), lowered serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP, and IL-18 (P<0.05), and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and NF-κB in the synovial tissue of ankle joints (P<0.05). However, in terms of ameliorating the pathological changes of ankle joints, only the high-dose Qingre Sanzhuo decoction group showed normal morphology of the synovial membrane of ankle joints and no obvious lesion in the articular cartilage. ConclusionQingre Sanzhuo decoction may play a role in preventing and controlling GA combined with HUA by down-regulating the activity of NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP, and IL-18.
10.Clinical Study on the Treatment of 70 Cases Chronic Atrophic Gastritis with Intestinal Metaplasia Using Xianglian Huazhuo Granules (香连化浊颗粒):A Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial
Ziyu LI ; Maopeng ZHANG ; Wen ZHAO ; Wei LI ; Shiyun SHENG ; Haiyan BAI ; Qian YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):473-479
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and possible mechanisms of Xianglian Huazhuo Granules (香连化浊颗粒, XHG) in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia. MethodsA total of 140 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 70 cases in each group. The treatment group received 12.5 g of XHG orally, twice daily. The control group received 12.5 g of placebo orally, twice daily. Both groups were treated for 6 months. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores, pathological types, serum tumor markers of the digestive system, and serum bile acids (TBA), interleukin-23 (IL-23), and Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1) levels were observed before and after treatment. Safety indicators and adverse events were recorded. After treatment, TCM syndrome efficacy and pathological types were evaluated, and patients were followed up for 18 months with gastric endoscopy and pathological results, which were compared with the results after treatment finished. ResultsTwo patients dropped out in the control group, and a total of 168 cases were included in the final analysis, 70 in the treatment group and 68 in the control group. The treatment group showed a significant reduction in TCM symptom scores, serum TBA, IL-23, and DKK-1 levels, and a significant increase in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) levels; in the control group, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA125, CA199 levels significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and carbohydrate antigen 242 (CA242) level in both the treatment group and the control group decreased significantly (P<0.01). The treatment group had lower TCM symptom scores and lower levels of serum TBA, IL-23, and DKK-1 compared to the control group (P<0.05). The effective rate for TCM syndrome efficacy in the treatment group was 80.00% (56/70), significantly higher than the 20.59% (14/68) in the control group (P < 0.05). The effective rate for pathological classification in the treatment group was 72.73% (8/11) for mixed intestinal metaplasia, significantly better than 46.15% (6/13) in the control group (P<0.05). No adverse events were reported in either group. Among 40 patients who had a follow-up endoscopy after one year, 21 were from the treatment group, of whom 11 showed reduced intestinal metaplasia, 9 showed no significant changes, and 1 had worsened; while 19 patients in the control group had 4 with reduced intestinal metaplasia, 13 with no significant changes, and 2 with worsened conditions. No cancer was detected in either group. The treatment group showed significantly better improvement in intestinal metaplasia on follow-up gastric endoscopy pathology than the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionXHG can significantly improve the clinical symptoms in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia and reduce the degree of mixed intestinal metaplasia. The mechanism may involve lowering serum TBA, DKK-1, and IL-23 levles, thus delaying the progression from inflammation to cancer.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail