1.Effects of Modified Guomin Decoction (加味过敏煎) on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes and Quality of Life in Patients with Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis of Heart Fire and Spleen Deficiency Pattern:A Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial
Jing NIE ; Rui PANG ; Lingjiao QIAN ; Hua SU ; Yuanwen LI ; Xinyuan WANG ; Jingxiao WANG ; Yi YANG ; Yunong WANG ; Yue LI ; Panpan ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):1031-1037
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Modified Guomin Decoction (加味过敏煎, MGD) in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of heart fire and spleen deficiency, and to explore its possible mechanisms. MethodsIn this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 72 patients with mild to moderate AD and the TCM pattern of heart fire and spleen deficiency were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 36 cases in each group. The treatment group received oral MGD granules combined with topical vitamin E emulsion, while the control group received oral placebo granules combined with topical vitamin E treatment. Both groups were treated twice daily for 4 weeks. Clinical efficacy, TCM syndrome scores, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pruritus, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores, Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and serum biomarkers, including interleukin-33 (IL-33), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were compared before and after treatment. Safety indexes was also assessed. ResultsThe total clinical effective rates were 77.78% (28/36) in the treatment group and 38.89% (14/36) in the control group, with cure rates of 19.44% (7/36) and 2.78% (1/36), respectively. The treatment group showed significantly better clinical outcomes compared to the control group (P<0.05). The treatment group exhibited significant reductions in total TCM syndrome scores, including erythema, edema, papules, scaling, lichenification, pruritus, irritability, insomnia, abdominal distension, and fatigue scores, as well as reductions in VAS, DLQI, SCORAD, and serum IgE and IL-33 levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the control group, the treatment group had significantly better improvements in all indicators except for insomnia (P<0.05). No adverse events occurred in either group. ConclusionMGD is effective and safe in treating mild to moderate AD patients with heart fire and spleen deficiency pattern. It significantly alleviates pruritus, improves TCM syndromes and quality of life, and enhances clinical efficacy, possibly through modulation of immune responses.
2.Anti-tumor Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine with Effect of Softening Hardness and Dissipating Mass: A Review
Yue HU ; Linfeng WANG ; Yue LI ; Rui LIU ; Baojin HUA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):276-286
The global burden of malignant tumors keeps increasing, and the increased morbidity and mortality make malignant tumors one of the major challenges to global health. Currently, malignant tumors are mainly managed by surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, which, however, usually cause serious adverse reactions, such as tissue damage, immune function inhibition, and multidrug resistance, affecting the prognosis and quality of life of the patients. Traditional Chinese medicine with low toxic and side effects and multi-target, multi-system, and multi-pathway therapeutic effects has shown positive therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. In particular, the traditional Chinese medicine with the effects of softening hardness and dissipating mass, which contains a variety of active ingredients, have shown strong inhibitory effects on tumor cells. Such medicine can not only directly attack tumor cells and inhibit their proliferation and invasion but also exert therapeutic effects by inducing apoptosis, blocking tumor-related signaling pathways, and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. In addition, traditional Chinese medicine can improve the overall efficacy of cancer treatment by regulating the immune status of the body and reversing the drug resistance of tumor cells. Traditional Chinese medicine can exert the anti-tumor effect by regulating intracellular signaling pathways, which is one of the research hotspots in this field. Signaling pathways such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) play a key role in the formation and development of tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine can regulate the growth, apoptosis, and metabolic process of tumor cells by affecting the activity of these signaling pathways, thus exerting the therapeutic effects on tumors. Based on these mechanisms, a large number of experimental studies and clinical trials have proved that traditional Chinese medicine has broad prospects in anti-tumor treatment. To further verify these research results and provide a basis for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine and the development of new drugs, a systematic review and integrated analysis of the research reports on the anti-tumor effect of traditional Chinese medicine was carried out to summarize the anti-tumor mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine. This review is expected to promote the wide application of traditional Chinese medicine in anti-tumor treatment worldwide and bring more hope and possibility to cancer patients.
3.Literature analysis of tislelizumab-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
Rui HAN ; Mingxi SHEN ; Hua YANG ; Zhaoshuai JI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(16):2046-2050
OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical characteristics of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) induced by tislelizumab, providing evidence for clinical medication safety. METHODS Case reports of tislelizumab-related SJS/TEN were retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Embase. Descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS Seventeen cases from 17 publications were included (SJS 4 cases, TEN 13 cases). Among them, there were 10 males and 7 females. Twelve patients were aged between 70 and 79 years. The predominant tumor type was lung cancer (10 cases). Thirteen patients received combination therapy with chemotherapeutic drugs. The median onset time of SJS/ TEN was 26 (4, 104) days. Nine patients developed SJS/TEN after the first administration of the drug. Sixteen patients exhibited prodromal rash symptoms, primarily characterized by severe skin damage such as skin detachment, accompanied by mucosal injury. Sixteen patients improved after symptomatic treatment, while one patient died. CONCLUSIONS Tislelizumab-associated SJS/TEN risk is higher in elderly patients, males, those with lung cancer and those receiving combination chemotherapy. Mucosal lesions and atypical rashes may indicate the early onset of SJS/TEN. During clinical use, pharmaceutical care can be carried out through measures such as identifying high-risk populations, closely monitoring skin symptoms from the first administration to the fifth treatment cycle, and enhancing patient education. When relevant symptoms occur, the medication should be promptly discontinued and symptomatic treatment should be administered to ensure the patient’s medication safety.
4.Medication Rules of Professor Hua Baojin in Treatment of Subsolid Pulmonary Nodules Based on Data Mining
Huibo YU ; Yue LI ; Yue LUO ; Hongyuan LIU ; Xiyuan ZHANG ; Jiaqi HU ; Rui LIU ; Baojin HUA
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(8):682-691
Objective To explore the medication rules of Professor Hua Baojin in the treatment of subsolid pulmonary nodules through retrospective analysis and data mining techniques. Methods The prescriptions of patients with subsolid pulmonary nodules who were diagnosed and treated by Professor Hua Baojin at Guang’anmen Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2024 were retrospectively collected. Data were imported into the Ancient and Modern Medical Case Cloud Platform for analysis of drug frequency, four natures and five flavors, meridian tropism, drug association, and hierarchical clustering. Results A total of 455 prescriptions were included, containing 205 kinds of traditional Chinese medicines, with a total frequency of
5.Clinical Characteristics and TCM Syndrome Patterns in 721 Female Patients with Pulmonary Nodules
Yue LUO ; Yue LI ; Jiaqi HU ; Huibo YU ; Linfeng WANG ; Baojin HUA ; Rui LIU
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(9):747-757
Objective To explore the clinical information of female patients with pulmonary nodules and the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes and their elements. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect the basic information, medical history data, image data, and four diagnostic information of female patients with pulmonary nodules. The distribution characteristics of TCM syndromes and their elements in female patients with pulmonary nodules were determined by KMO test, Bartlett spherical test, systematic cluster analysis, chi-square test, and other methods. Results A total of 721 female patients with pulmonary nodules were included in this study. The patients were mainly 45-59 years old, had secondary school education or above, and had a history of oil smoke exposure as clinical characteristics. The pulmonary nodules were mainly 6-10 mm in size and appeared as multiple and ground glass nodules. The clinical symptoms were mainly fatigue, emotional irritability, and shortness of breath. The main syndromes of disease location were the spleen, liver, and lung; and the main syndromes of disease were phlegm, dampness, and qi deficiency. The main complex syndromes were spleen deficiency and dampness, liver stagnation, and qi/yin deficiency. Conclusion Middle age, high education, and multiple small ground glass nodules are the clinical characteristics of female patients with pulmonary nodules. Exposure to oil smoke is an important cause of the occurrence of female pulmonary nodules. During treatment, attention should be paid to strengthening the spleen, removing dampness, soothing the liver, regulating and tonifying qi, and nourishing yin.
6.Prediction of Pulmonary Nodule Progression Based on Multi-modal Data Fusion of CCNet-DGNN Model
Lehua YU ; Yehui PENG ; Wei YANG ; Xinghua XIANG ; Rui LIU ; Xiongjun ZHAO ; Maolan AYIDANA ; Yue LI ; Wenyuan XU ; Min JIN ; Shaoliang PENG ; Baojin HUA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):135-143
ObjectiveThis study aims to develop and validate a novel multimodal predictive model, termed criss-cross network(CCNet)-directed graph neural network(DGNN)(CGN), for accurate assessment of pulmonary nodule progression in high-risk individuals for lung cancer, by integrating longitudinal chest computed tomography(CT) imaging with both traditional Chinese and western clinical evaluation data. MethodsA cohort of 4 432 patients with pulmonary nodules was retrospectively analyzed. A twin CCNet was employed to extract spatiotemporal representations from paired sequential CT scans. Structured clinical assessment and imaging-derived features were encoded via a multilayer perceptron, and a similarity-based alignment strategy was adopted to harmonize multimodal imaging features across temporal dimensions. Subsequently, a DGNN was constructed to integrate heterogeneous features, where nodes represented modality-specific embeddings and edges denoted inter-modal information flow. Finally, model optimization was performed using a joint loss function combining cross-entropy and cosine similarity loss, facilitating robust classification of nodule progression status. ResultsThe proposed CGN model demonstrated superior predictive performance on the held-out test set, achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC) of 0.830, accuracy of 0.843, sensitivity of 0.657, specificity of 0.712, Cohen's Kappa of 0.417, and F1 score of 0.544. Compared with unimodal baselines, the CGN model yielded a 36%-48% relative improvement in AUC. Ablation studies revealed a 2%-22% increase in AUC when compared to simplified architectures lacking key components, substantiating the efficacy of the proposed multimodal fusion strategy and modular design. Incorporation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-specific symptomatology led to an additional 5% improvement in AUC, underscoring the complementary value of integrating TCM and western clinical data. Through gradient-weighted activation mapping visualization analysis, it was found that the model's attention predominantly focused on nodule regions and effectively captured dynamic associations between clinical data and imaging-derived features. ConclusionThe CGN model, by synergistically combining cross-attention encoding with directed graph-based feature integration, enables effective alignment and fusion of heterogeneous multimodal data. The incorporation of both TCM and western clinical information facilitates complementary feature enrichment, thereby enhancing predictive accuracy for pulmonary nodule progression. This approach holds significant potential for supporting intelligent risk stratification and personalized surveillance strategies in lung cancer prevention.
7.Application of case-based learning combined with seminars in integrated medical imaging teaching
Maoping LI ; Rui LIAO ; Hua PANG ; Lü FAJIN ; Xiaoling HUANG ; Chufan XIAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(5):656-661
Objective:In order to improve medical undergraduates' ability to interpret medical images and clinical application competencies, this study aimed to explore the effects of case-based learning (CBL) combined with seminars for integrated medical imaging teaching as well as its application value.Methods:We assigned 40 medical undergraduates of grade 2016 of Chongqing Medical University to learn imaging of liver diseases using either a traditional teaching model (control group, n=20) or the combined teaching model (experimental group, n=20), in the form of classroom teaching in our hospital. The teaching effects were evaluated through a theoretical assessment, image reading assessment, and questionnaire survey. SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Continuous data were compared using the t test, and categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. Results:The total theoretical score and total image reading score of the experimental group were (76.35±8.63) and (79.80±10.60), respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the control group ( P<0.05). Specifically, for the experimental group, the scores of theoretical analysis and comprehensive application were (22.85±3.63) and (22.15±2.92), respectively; the scores of image interpretation and report writing were (48.55±6.81) and (31.25±4.15), respectively; the scores for medium questions and hard questions in the image reading test were (24.85±3.12) and (22.50±2.91), respectively; and the pass rate and excellence rate for image reading were 100.00% and 50.00%, respectively, all significantly higher than those of the control group ( P<0.05). The degree of satisfaction with teaching in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05). In terms of improving learning desire, independent learning ability, innovation and expansion ability, literature search ability, communication and collaboration ability, and image interpretation ability, the experimental group showed significantly higher self-evaluated scores than the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The CBL+seminar model can effectively improve students' academic performance in theoretical and image reading assessments, strengthen their ability to analyze and solve difficult problems, increase their enthusiasm and initiative in learning, and improve their comprehensive quality and image interpretation competency, which is worth promotion and application.
8.CBX4 regulates proliferation and apoptosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through p38 MAPK signaling pathway
Yan-Chun MA ; Yu-Yan HUA ; Rui LIU ; A-Jing WU ; Xiao-Jie YIN ; Jie YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(9):1673-1679
Aim To investigate the expression level of CBX4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)and the effect of CBX4 on ESCC proliferation and un-derlying molecular mechanisms.Methods The ex-pression of CBX4 in different cancers was analyzed in Pan-cancers.The expression level of CBX4 in ESCC was analyzed by t-test based on Gene Expression Omni-bus(GEO)data.The viability of CBX4-overex-pressed/knockdown ESCC cells was detected by MTT assay,colony formation assay and flow cytometry assay.Furthermore,the tumor volumn,tumor weight and Ki67 expression were measured by mouse xenograft assay and immunohistochemistry.The mRNA and protein ex-pression levels of apoptosis-related genes PARP、Bcl-2、Bax were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot,respectively.In addition,the underlying molecular mechanism of CBX4 in ESCC was revealed by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results CBX4 was upregulat-ed in various cancers.The expression level of CBX4 in ESCC was higher than that in normal tissues(P<0.05)based on Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)da-ta.Compared with the normal group,the proliferation of CBX4 knockdown ESCC cells was significantly in-hibited and the apoptosis was promoted(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the mRNA and protein expression levels of cleaved PARP and Bax were upregulated while that of Bcl-2 was downregulated.In CBX4 overexpression group,tumor volume in vivo increased(P<0.05).Immunohistochemical results also showed an increase in Ki67 expression.Furthermore,the results of RNA-seq,bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR experiments indicated that CBX4 probably regulated the prolifera-tion and apoptosis of ESCC through p38 MAPK signa-ling pathway.Conclusion CBX4 is highly expressed in ESCC and plays as an oncogene role,which might regulate cell proliferation through the p38 MAPK signa-ling pathway.
9.Curcumin attenuates calcium oxalate crystal-induced renal injury via regulation of TLR4/NF-κB and NRF2/HO-1 pathways in mouse model
Yan-Feng HE ; Wen-Bin LAI ; Wen-Wei CHEN ; Chang-Yi LIU ; Kai-Xin LU ; Hua ZHANG ; Tao JIANG ; Rui GAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(9):1701-1708
Aim To investigate the protective effects of curcumin(CUR)on crystal-induced renal injury and its underlying mechanism in the mouse model of neph-rolithiasis.Methods The mouse model of stone for-mation was established via successive intraperitoneal injection of glyoxylate.Proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 treated with calcium oxalate monohydrate(COM)was used as an in vitro model.The protective role of CUR on nephrolithiasis was tested by determina-tion of tubular injury,crystal deposition and adhesion,levels of inflammatory cytokines.In vitro,the effects of CUR on the cell viability and inflammatory factors of HK-2 cells were measured.The proteins in the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(NRF2)/hemeoxygenase-1(HO-1)signaling path-ways were measured by Western blot for confirming the relationship between CUR and these pathways.Final-ly,NRF2 inhibitor ML385 and TLR4 activator CCL-34 were respectively used on COM-induced HK-2 cells ex-posed to CUR for the conduction of gain-of-function and loss-of-function assays.Results CUR improves the damage in the mouse model of kidney stone forma-tion,inhibits inflammation and antioxidative effects;promotes the viability of HK-2 cells induced by COM,and inhibits the expression of inflammatory factors.CUR suppresses the expression of proteins in the TLR4/NF-κB pathway,promotes the transfer of NRF2 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus,and enhances the ex-pression of HO-1.ML385 and CCL-34 respectively counteract the anti-inflammatory effects of CUR on COM-induced HK-2 cells.Conclusions Taken togeth-er,our study demonstrates the protective effect of CUR on the deposition of kidney stone and consequent tubu-lar injury.CUR through regulation of the TLR4/NF-κB and NRF2/HO-1 pathways improves renal injury.
10.Effect of berberine on regulating NF-κB p65/TGF-β1/CTGF signaling pathway in reducing renal fibrosis injury in mice
Guang-Yao LI ; Jia-Min LIANG ; Meng-Tong JIN ; Duan XI ; Peng LIU ; Peng WANG ; Rui-Hua WANG ; Qing-Qing LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(11):2042-2047
Aim To investigate the protective effect of berberine(BBR)on mice with unilateral ureteral obstr-uction(UUO)and explore its mechanism.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the sham group,UUO group,and BBR treatment groups(50,100 and 200 mg·kg-1),with eight mice in each group.Except the sham group,the other groups were subjected to left ureteral ligation to establish the UUO model.Af-ter modeling,the mice in the sham and UUO groups were fed normal saline,and the mice in the BBR treat-ment groups were fed(50,100,200)mg·kg-1 BBR by gavage for 14 days,respectively.Biochemical analy-zer was employed to detect the levels of serum creati-nine(Scr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN).HE,Mas-son,TUNEL and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the pathological changes of renal tis-sue.ELISA was employed to detect the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in renal tissue homogenate.Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and CTGF in mouse kidney.Re-sults Compared with the UUO group,the levels of Scr and BUN in the BBR group were significantly reduced.Renal injury and interstitial fibrosis were alleviated.The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased in kidney.The expression of NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and CTGF decreased.All results showed some degree of dose dependence.Conclusion Berberine has a sig-nificant protective effect on unilateral ureteral obstruc-tion mice,and the mechanism may be that BBR has the potential to inhibit NF-κB p65/TGF-β1/CTGF signa-ling pathway,thus reducing renal inflammation and fi-brosis.

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