1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevents and Treats Ulcerative Colitis via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway: A Review
Xi CUI ; Wenke DU ; Xing SHEN ; Cuicui LIU ; Rui ZHAI ; Hanghang LI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):284-294
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon and rectum. With a rising incidence, UC has aroused an increasingly serious public health concern. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC are complex, involving genetic susceptibility, intestinal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and environmental factors such as diet, smoking, and infection. Current UC therapies face limitations including persistent drug resistance, multiple side effects, and compromised immune function, necessitating the exploration of novel intervention strategies. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of research into UC mechanisms, the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway has been revealved as one of the classical pathways involved in inflammation. Being crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, this pathway regulates inflammatory and immune responses by controlling gene transcription, thereby playing a significant role in the occurrence and progression of UC. However, systematic summarization within this field remains lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses unique advantages through its multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism approaches, being capable of curbing the pathological progression of UC by targeting key molecules in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This paper systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which TLR4/NF-κB-related pathways regulate UC, primarily encompassing inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, immune balance, and gut microbiota. It reviews single herbs (e.g., Rosa roxburghii root and Saposhnikoviae Radix), active components (e.g., resveratrol, Tripterygium glycosides, and gypenosides), herbal extracts (e.g., Zingiberis Rhizoma extract and Taraxaci Herba extract), and compound formulas for clearing heat and removing dampness, invigorating the spleen and warming the kidneys, clearing heat and detoxifying, harmonizing the liver and spleen, and treating cold and heat in complexity (e.g., Huaihua Powder, Shenling Baizhu Powder, and Jiedu Huayu Formula). The aim is to fully leverage the advantages of TCM in UC treatment and provide novel insights for clinical and pharmacological research on UC.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevents and Treats Ulcerative Colitis via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway: A Review
Xi CUI ; Wenke DU ; Xing SHEN ; Cuicui LIU ; Rui ZHAI ; Hanghang LI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):284-294
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon and rectum. With a rising incidence, UC has aroused an increasingly serious public health concern. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC are complex, involving genetic susceptibility, intestinal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and environmental factors such as diet, smoking, and infection. Current UC therapies face limitations including persistent drug resistance, multiple side effects, and compromised immune function, necessitating the exploration of novel intervention strategies. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of research into UC mechanisms, the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway has been revealved as one of the classical pathways involved in inflammation. Being crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, this pathway regulates inflammatory and immune responses by controlling gene transcription, thereby playing a significant role in the occurrence and progression of UC. However, systematic summarization within this field remains lacking. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses unique advantages through its multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism approaches, being capable of curbing the pathological progression of UC by targeting key molecules in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This paper systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which TLR4/NF-κB-related pathways regulate UC, primarily encompassing inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, immune balance, and gut microbiota. It reviews single herbs (e.g., Rosa roxburghii root and Saposhnikoviae Radix), active components (e.g., resveratrol, Tripterygium glycosides, and gypenosides), herbal extracts (e.g., Zingiberis Rhizoma extract and Taraxaci Herba extract), and compound formulas for clearing heat and removing dampness, invigorating the spleen and warming the kidneys, clearing heat and detoxifying, harmonizing the liver and spleen, and treating cold and heat in complexity (e.g., Huaihua Powder, Shenling Baizhu Powder, and Jiedu Huayu Formula). The aim is to fully leverage the advantages of TCM in UC treatment and provide novel insights for clinical and pharmacological research on UC.
3.Full-endoscopic direct pars repair of lumbar spondylolysis with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation
Zheng CAO ; Zhenzhou LI ; Hongliang ZHAO ; Jialiang ZHU ; Shuxun HOU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(1):29-36
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of Full-endoscopic pars debridement, graft with autograft and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2), and percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation for the treatment of lumbar spondylolysis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the case data of 8 patients (7 males and 1 female) of lumbar spondylolysis treated with full-endoscopic pars bone graft with autograft and rhBMP-2 combined with PPS fixation in the fourth medical center of PLA general hospital. The mean age was 21.8±4.1 years (range, 16-29 years). All cases had mono-segmental bilateral pars defects, including 2 cases of L 4 and 6 cases of L 5. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) were recorded before and after surgery. MacNab score was used to evaluate the final clinical outcome of lumbar function at 1 year after the removal of internal fixation. Multi-planar reconstruction of CT scans was used to evaluate the bone healing at 6 and 12 months after the operation, and par condition at 1 year after the removal of internal fixation. Pfirrmann's grading system through MRI was used to grade disc degeneration in the fixed and adjacent discs respectively before the operation, before the removal of internal fixation, and 1 year after the removal of internal fixation. Results:All the operations were successfully completed. All patients were followed up for 24-30 months, with an average follow-up time of 27.75±3.11 months. Both VAS of back pain (1.63±0.74, 1.25±0.71、1.00±0.53) and ODI (10.25%±5.17%、6.33%±5.03%、4.86%±3.35%) at 6 and 12 months after the operation and 1 year after the removal of internal fixation were improved compared with those preoperatively (7.25±1.04 and 40.67%±9.67%), with significant differences ( P<0.05). The improvement rates of VAS and ODI at one year after pars repair were 83.31%±8.85% and 85.22%±9.60%, respectively. The improvement rates of VAS and ODI at one year after the removal of internal fixation were 85.96%±6.97% and 88.05%±7.25%, respectively. At the final follow-up, 7 patients had excellent results and 1 patient had good results according to the MacNab criteria. There were 3 patients bony healed in 6 months postoperatively and the remaining 5 patients bony healed in 12 months postoperatively. There was no pars re-rupture at the one-year follow-up after the removal of internal fixation. Disc degeneration increase one grade at the fixed disc in one patient before and after the removal of internal fixation than before pars repair surgery. Disc degeneration increase one grade at the adjacent disc in one patient before and after the removal of internal fixation than before pars repair surgery. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, such as nerve injury, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, incision exudation, infection, or breakdown of internal fixation device. Conclusions:Full-endoscopic pars bone debridement, graft with autograft and rhBMP-2, followed by PPS fixation is a safe and effective minimally invasive spine surgery for treating lumbar spondylolysis. It has the advantages of a high fusion rate, low incidence of complications, no pars re-rupture after the removal of internal fixation and no significantly increasing intervertebral disc degeneration in fixed and adjacent discs.
4.Research progress on the clinical application and mechanism of com-monly used traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of breast cancer
Shanshan LI ; Dandan WEI ; Hanyu KANG ; Xiaopeng LIU ; Shuxun YAN ; Shiqing JIANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(7):977-983
Breast cancer is a common clinical gy-necological tumor.According to the 2022 global cancer data statistics,breast cancer ranks second in terms of incidence among newly diagnosed cancer cases worldwide.Modern medicine often adopts surgical operation,chemotherapy,and other meth-ods,which have certain efficacy but also many problems such as high drug resistance rates and sig-nificant adverse reactions.Chinese patent medi-cines exhibit extensive anticancer effects.The study found that Shenyi Capsule,Pingxiao Capsule,and Zhenqi Fuzheng Granules were widely used in the treatment of breast cancer,exerting therapeu-tic effects on breast cancer by inhibiting cell prolif-eration,invasion,and metastasis,suppressing an-giogenesis,reversing cellular drug resistance,and inhibiting precancerous lesions.Meanwhile,the oral administration of Chinese patent medicines in combination with other traditional Chinese medi-cine(TCM)compounds,TCM decoctions,or mod-ern medical treatments can improve patients' quali-ty of life and reduce adverse reactions.Currently,there are numerous studies on the treatment of breast cancer with Chinese patent medicines,but a systematic summary is lacking.Therefore,this study conducted a systematic review of the mecha-nisms of action and clinical applications of Chinese patent medicines as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer,aiming to provide guidance for clinical medi-cation.
5.Clinical and Mechanism of Modified Xiaoyaosan and Its Effective Components in Treatment of Thyroid Diseases: A Review
Shanshan LI ; Yu FU ; Dandan WEI ; Fei WANG ; Mengjiao XU ; Ting WANG ; Shuxun YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):302-310
Thyroid diseases are common clinical endocrine disorders, and their pathogenesis is generally considered to be closely related to genetic predisposition factors, immune system disorders, hormone levels, etc. Xiaoyaosan is widely used in the treatment of various thyroid diseases with excellent effects. This study summarized the relevant literature on the treatment of thyroid diseases with modified Xiaoyaosan prescriptions and their active ingredients from aspects such as theoretical analysis, clinical research, and mechanism research. Theoretical analysis revealed that Xiaoyaosan could not only disperse stagnated liver qi but also replenish deficient spleen Qi, which was consistent with the etiology and pathogenesis of thyroid diseases. Clinical studies found that Xiaoyaosan and its modified prescriptions could be widely used in the treatment of multiple thyroid diseases, such as hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and thyroid nodules. Both the use of modified Xiaoyaosan alone and in combination with medications such as methimazole, propylthiouracil, and euthyrox could effectively improve patients' clinical symptoms. In the mechanism research, this study discovered that the whole formula of Xiaoyaosan and its modified prescriptions could inhibit inflammatory reactions, regulate immune balance, and delay liver damage during the treatment of thyroid diseases. The research on Xiaoyaosan for treating thyroid diseases mainly focused on thyroid cancer, autoimmune thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism. The mechanisms of action mainly involved promoting cell apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation and migration, arresting the cell cycle, and regulating thyroid hormone levels. In conclusion, this study systematically combs and summarizes the research status of Xiaoyaosan in treating thyroid diseases through literature retrieval, aiming to provide new perspectives and new ideas for the prevention and treatment of thyroid diseases with traditional Chinese medicine.
6.Research Progress in the Mechanism of Shaoyao Decoction in Regulating Cytokines for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Cuicui LIU ; Peng'an YAN ; Xi CUI ; Qinqin LIU ; Hanghang LI ; Rui ZHAI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(10):179-184
Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a recurrent,chronic,nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease.Shaoyao Decoction has shown good efficacy in the treatment of UC,which mainly regulates the balance of cytokines to achieve the purpose of treating UC.This article reviewed the research progress in the mechanism of Shaoyao Decoction in the treatment of UC from two aspects of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines.Research has shown that Shaoyao Decoction can regulate the body's immune response,alleviate intestinal inflammation,protect the intestinal mucosal barrier,restore normal structure and function of the colon mucosa through pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interferon-γ,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-17,and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as transforming growth factor-β,IL-4,IL-10,IL-13,which can provide reference for UC related mechanism research and clinical treatment.
7.Research progress on the clinical application and mechanism of com-monly used traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of breast cancer
Shanshan LI ; Dandan WEI ; Hanyu KANG ; Xiaopeng LIU ; Shuxun YAN ; Shiqing JIANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(7):977-983
Breast cancer is a common clinical gy-necological tumor.According to the 2022 global cancer data statistics,breast cancer ranks second in terms of incidence among newly diagnosed cancer cases worldwide.Modern medicine often adopts surgical operation,chemotherapy,and other meth-ods,which have certain efficacy but also many problems such as high drug resistance rates and sig-nificant adverse reactions.Chinese patent medi-cines exhibit extensive anticancer effects.The study found that Shenyi Capsule,Pingxiao Capsule,and Zhenqi Fuzheng Granules were widely used in the treatment of breast cancer,exerting therapeu-tic effects on breast cancer by inhibiting cell prolif-eration,invasion,and metastasis,suppressing an-giogenesis,reversing cellular drug resistance,and inhibiting precancerous lesions.Meanwhile,the oral administration of Chinese patent medicines in combination with other traditional Chinese medi-cine(TCM)compounds,TCM decoctions,or mod-ern medical treatments can improve patients' quali-ty of life and reduce adverse reactions.Currently,there are numerous studies on the treatment of breast cancer with Chinese patent medicines,but a systematic summary is lacking.Therefore,this study conducted a systematic review of the mecha-nisms of action and clinical applications of Chinese patent medicines as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer,aiming to provide guidance for clinical medi-cation.
8.Research Progress in the Mechanism of Shaoyao Decoction in Regulating Cytokines for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Cuicui LIU ; Peng'an YAN ; Xi CUI ; Qinqin LIU ; Hanghang LI ; Rui ZHAI ; Shuxun SHI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(10):179-184
Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a recurrent,chronic,nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease.Shaoyao Decoction has shown good efficacy in the treatment of UC,which mainly regulates the balance of cytokines to achieve the purpose of treating UC.This article reviewed the research progress in the mechanism of Shaoyao Decoction in the treatment of UC from two aspects of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines.Research has shown that Shaoyao Decoction can regulate the body's immune response,alleviate intestinal inflammation,protect the intestinal mucosal barrier,restore normal structure and function of the colon mucosa through pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interferon-γ,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-17,and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as transforming growth factor-β,IL-4,IL-10,IL-13,which can provide reference for UC related mechanism research and clinical treatment.
9.Full-endoscopic direct pars repair of lumbar spondylolysis with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation
Zheng CAO ; Zhenzhou LI ; Hongliang ZHAO ; Jialiang ZHU ; Shuxun HOU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(1):29-36
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of Full-endoscopic pars debridement, graft with autograft and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2), and percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation for the treatment of lumbar spondylolysis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the case data of 8 patients (7 males and 1 female) of lumbar spondylolysis treated with full-endoscopic pars bone graft with autograft and rhBMP-2 combined with PPS fixation in the fourth medical center of PLA general hospital. The mean age was 21.8±4.1 years (range, 16-29 years). All cases had mono-segmental bilateral pars defects, including 2 cases of L 4 and 6 cases of L 5. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) were recorded before and after surgery. MacNab score was used to evaluate the final clinical outcome of lumbar function at 1 year after the removal of internal fixation. Multi-planar reconstruction of CT scans was used to evaluate the bone healing at 6 and 12 months after the operation, and par condition at 1 year after the removal of internal fixation. Pfirrmann's grading system through MRI was used to grade disc degeneration in the fixed and adjacent discs respectively before the operation, before the removal of internal fixation, and 1 year after the removal of internal fixation. Results:All the operations were successfully completed. All patients were followed up for 24-30 months, with an average follow-up time of 27.75±3.11 months. Both VAS of back pain (1.63±0.74, 1.25±0.71、1.00±0.53) and ODI (10.25%±5.17%、6.33%±5.03%、4.86%±3.35%) at 6 and 12 months after the operation and 1 year after the removal of internal fixation were improved compared with those preoperatively (7.25±1.04 and 40.67%±9.67%), with significant differences ( P<0.05). The improvement rates of VAS and ODI at one year after pars repair were 83.31%±8.85% and 85.22%±9.60%, respectively. The improvement rates of VAS and ODI at one year after the removal of internal fixation were 85.96%±6.97% and 88.05%±7.25%, respectively. At the final follow-up, 7 patients had excellent results and 1 patient had good results according to the MacNab criteria. There were 3 patients bony healed in 6 months postoperatively and the remaining 5 patients bony healed in 12 months postoperatively. There was no pars re-rupture at the one-year follow-up after the removal of internal fixation. Disc degeneration increase one grade at the fixed disc in one patient before and after the removal of internal fixation than before pars repair surgery. Disc degeneration increase one grade at the adjacent disc in one patient before and after the removal of internal fixation than before pars repair surgery. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, such as nerve injury, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, incision exudation, infection, or breakdown of internal fixation device. Conclusions:Full-endoscopic pars bone debridement, graft with autograft and rhBMP-2, followed by PPS fixation is a safe and effective minimally invasive spine surgery for treating lumbar spondylolysis. It has the advantages of a high fusion rate, low incidence of complications, no pars re-rupture after the removal of internal fixation and no significantly increasing intervertebral disc degeneration in fixed and adjacent discs.
10.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Gut Microbiota in Treatment of Thyroid Diseases via Gut-thyroid Axis: A Review
Shanshan LI ; Dandan WEI ; Yu FU ; Ping WANG ; Hui WANG ; Shuxun YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(19):254-262
Thyroid diseases are common endocrine disorders with high incidence. The diseases are closely related to genetic factors, immune system disorders, and hormone levels. Although modern medical therapies have achieved certain therapeutic effects, the side effects have affected clinical treatment. In recent years, studies have proven that gut microbiota is a key factor affecting thyroid diseases, and increasing studies have referred to the bidirectional information interaction system between the gut and thyroid as the gut-thyroid axis. This study adopts the meridian-collateral theory and the visceral manifestation theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to explain the functions, physiological characteristics, and pathological mechanisms of the gut and thyroid. Furthermore, this paper clarifies the mechanism of gut microbiota in modulating thyroid homeostasis by inducing inflammation and altering thyroid hormone metabolism from the perspective of molecular biology, clarifying the rationality of the gut-thyroid axis from the perspectives of TCM and Western medicine. Meanwhile, under the guidance of the gut-thyroid axis, increasing studies have been carried out regarding the application of TCM in regulating gut microbiota in the treatment of thyroid diseases. Both the active component emodin and compound prescription Yiqi Huatan Huoxue prescription of Chinese medicine can treat thyroid diseases by regulating the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota and improving the intestinal mucosal barrier. However, the systematic review of the research on TCM treatment of thyroid diseases by regulating gut microbiota remains to be conducted. This study expounds the gut-thyroid axis from both TCM and Western medicine and reviews the research progress in the TCM treatment of thyroid diseases by regulating gut microbiota, aiming to give new insights into the prevention and treatment of thyroid diseases with TCM.

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