1.Exploration on the Pathogenesis Connotation and Therapeutic Strategies of "Drug Toxin" of Antitumor Drugs
Hao LI ; Hongguang ZHOU ; Weichen YUAN ; Yutian GU ; Ruizhe KANG ; Muhan LI ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(17):1920-1924
Antitumor drugs are considered pathogenic toxin-attacking agents, whose intense and biased pharmacological effects on the body may induce secondary pathological factors and subsequent pathological changes, that is, drug toxin. Its pathogenic features include rapid and marked impairment of healthy qi and constitution-dependent transformation. Zang-fu (脏腑) organs involvement is characterized by an early response of the middle jiao (焦), later involvement of the kidney and marrow, and extension to the five zang organs, while its temporal evolution may manifest as acute injury, cumulative injury, and persistent or delayed injury. Cancer toxin, drug toxin, and deficiency of healthy qi interact to form a dynamically evolving complex pathogenic pattern. Clinically, treatment should take disease stage as the framework, toxin differentiation as the focus, and reinforcement of healthy qi as a principle throughout the course, while coordinating toxin reduction and elimination of cancer toxin with reinforcement of healthy qi. Furthermore, intervention against drug toxin should be initiated early and throughout the entire course of antitumor therapy. This framework may provide a theoretical basis for integrating traditional Chinese medicine throughout comprehensive cancer treatment.
2.Discussion on the Wenzi Jiedu Method for Treating Malignant Tumors Based on the Theory of Circulation of Phase Fire
Yutian GU ; Hongguang ZHOU ; Hao LI ; Xinyan DAI ; Yan SHAO ; Huan YANG ; Weichen YUAN
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(5):567-575
Based on the theory of circulation of qi,a theoretical model of the circulation of phase fire in the human body was con-structed.It is proposed that cancer toxicity is the key factor that triggers the disorder of phase fire and hinders the circulation of phase fire.The disorder of phase fire and poor circulation are important pathogenesis of the occurrence and development of cancer toxicity.With the principle of strengthening healthy qi and eliminating evil qi,the Wenzi Jiedu method is used to treat tumors,which plays an important role in warming and nourishing,regulating yin and yang,and eliminating cancer toxicity.The combination of war-ming,nourishing and detoxification can promote the return of the phase fire and make the human body's generation and transformation active,providing a new treatment idea for TCM diagnosis and treatment of tumors with mainly cold poison or mixed cold and heat.
3.Current Status,Advantages and Strategies of TCM in the Prevention and Treatment of Malignant Tumors
Weichen YUAN ; Hongguang ZHOU ; Wenting LI ; Li LI ; Muhan LI ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(6):707-720
This paper summarizes the current status of research on the prevention and treatment of malignant tumors with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),and points out that TCM has the advantages of being based on the holistic view and advocating the preven-tive treatment of diseases.The strategies of TCM in preventing and treating malignant tumors are proposed:first,it is necessary to clar-ify the leading or auxiliary treatment role in different stages of tumors and give full play to its strengths and advantages;second,find the characteristics of the superior and inferior populations and microscopic markers of tumor diagnosis and treatment to promote accurate di-agnosis and treatment;third,improve the overall diagnosis and treatment level of tumors by grasping the core pathogenesis and ensure clinical efficacy;fourth,incorporate modern medical therapy factors into the TCM tumor diagnosis and treatment system in order to in-tercept the disease;fifth,add TCM psychological intervention on the basis of the four-in-one holistic syndrome differentiation view to achieve harmony between body and spirit;sixth,improve the rehabilitation and health care system of tumors combined with traditional Chinese and Western medicine through the use of multiple methods to promote the recovery of diseases.In this way,the clinical effica-cy of TCM in preventing and treating tumors can be continuously improved,and the great goal of TCM in preventing and treating tumors and benefiting all mankind can be truly realized.
4.Study on the Mechanism of Anti-Colorectal Cancer Effects of Anzheng Kangliu Decoction by Inhibiting Glycolysis via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
Yuwei LIANG ; Hongli ZHOU ; Yupei ZHUANG ; Weichen YUAN ; Mingjun TANG ; Wenting LI ; Li LI ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(6):730-741
OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effect mechanism of Anzheng Kangliu Decoction against colorectal cancer by suppressing glycolysis through regulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling pathway.METHODS Human colorectal cancer SW620 cells were treated with Anzheng Kangliu De-coction,and cell proliferation and migration abilities were assessed.Forty-two BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into a blank control group,model group,5-fluorouracil(5-FU)group(0.025 g·kg-1),Anzheng Kangliu Decoction low-dose group(7.67 g·kg-1),medium-dose group(15.34 g·kg-1),and high-dose group(30.68 g·kg-1).The inhibitory effect of Anzheng Kan-gliu Decoction on subcutaneous xenograft tumors was evaluated by observing body weight,tumor volume,tumor mass,HE staining,im-munohistochemical staining of Ki67 and other indicators.High-throughput transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify differen-tially expressed genes and pathways in tumor tissues between the model group and the Anzheng Kangliu Decoction medium-dose group,elucidating the potential mechanism of Anzheng Kangliu Decoction against colorectal cancer.Glucose and lactate assay kits were used to measure glucose consumption and lactate production in SW620 cells and tumor tissues after Anzheng Kangliu Decoction intervention.Western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,p-mTOR/mTOR,hexokinase 2(HK2),and lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA)in SW620 cells and tumor tissues following Anzheng Kangliu Decoction treatment.RE-SULTS In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that,compared with the blank control group,Anzheng Kangliu Decoction intervention significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of SW620 cells(P<0.01),reduced glucose consumption and lactate production(P<0.05,P<0.01),and downregulated the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,p-mTOR/mTOR,HK2,and LDHA(P<0.05,P<0.01).In vivo animal experiments revealed that,compared with the model group,Anzheng Kangliu Decoction suppressed the growth of subcutaneous xenograft tumors in nude mice(P<0.01),increased tumor tissue necrosis,decreased glucose consumption and lactate production in tumor tissues(P<0.05,P<0.01),and reduced the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,p-mTOR/mTOR,HK2,and LDHA(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Anzheng Kangliu Decoction exerts an in-hibitory effect on colorectal cancer,and its mechanism may be associated with the suppression of glycolysis through regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
5.Current Status,Advantages and Strategies of TCM in the Prevention and Treatment of Malignant Tumors
Weichen YUAN ; Hongguang ZHOU ; Wenting LI ; Li LI ; Muhan LI ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(6):707-720
This paper summarizes the current status of research on the prevention and treatment of malignant tumors with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),and points out that TCM has the advantages of being based on the holistic view and advocating the preven-tive treatment of diseases.The strategies of TCM in preventing and treating malignant tumors are proposed:first,it is necessary to clar-ify the leading or auxiliary treatment role in different stages of tumors and give full play to its strengths and advantages;second,find the characteristics of the superior and inferior populations and microscopic markers of tumor diagnosis and treatment to promote accurate di-agnosis and treatment;third,improve the overall diagnosis and treatment level of tumors by grasping the core pathogenesis and ensure clinical efficacy;fourth,incorporate modern medical therapy factors into the TCM tumor diagnosis and treatment system in order to in-tercept the disease;fifth,add TCM psychological intervention on the basis of the four-in-one holistic syndrome differentiation view to achieve harmony between body and spirit;sixth,improve the rehabilitation and health care system of tumors combined with traditional Chinese and Western medicine through the use of multiple methods to promote the recovery of diseases.In this way,the clinical effica-cy of TCM in preventing and treating tumors can be continuously improved,and the great goal of TCM in preventing and treating tumors and benefiting all mankind can be truly realized.
6.Study on the Mechanism of Anti-Colorectal Cancer Effects of Anzheng Kangliu Decoction by Inhibiting Glycolysis via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
Yuwei LIANG ; Hongli ZHOU ; Yupei ZHUANG ; Weichen YUAN ; Mingjun TANG ; Wenting LI ; Li LI ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(6):730-741
OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effect mechanism of Anzheng Kangliu Decoction against colorectal cancer by suppressing glycolysis through regulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling pathway.METHODS Human colorectal cancer SW620 cells were treated with Anzheng Kangliu De-coction,and cell proliferation and migration abilities were assessed.Forty-two BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into a blank control group,model group,5-fluorouracil(5-FU)group(0.025 g·kg-1),Anzheng Kangliu Decoction low-dose group(7.67 g·kg-1),medium-dose group(15.34 g·kg-1),and high-dose group(30.68 g·kg-1).The inhibitory effect of Anzheng Kan-gliu Decoction on subcutaneous xenograft tumors was evaluated by observing body weight,tumor volume,tumor mass,HE staining,im-munohistochemical staining of Ki67 and other indicators.High-throughput transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify differen-tially expressed genes and pathways in tumor tissues between the model group and the Anzheng Kangliu Decoction medium-dose group,elucidating the potential mechanism of Anzheng Kangliu Decoction against colorectal cancer.Glucose and lactate assay kits were used to measure glucose consumption and lactate production in SW620 cells and tumor tissues after Anzheng Kangliu Decoction intervention.Western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,p-mTOR/mTOR,hexokinase 2(HK2),and lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA)in SW620 cells and tumor tissues following Anzheng Kangliu Decoction treatment.RE-SULTS In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that,compared with the blank control group,Anzheng Kangliu Decoction intervention significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of SW620 cells(P<0.01),reduced glucose consumption and lactate production(P<0.05,P<0.01),and downregulated the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,p-mTOR/mTOR,HK2,and LDHA(P<0.05,P<0.01).In vivo animal experiments revealed that,compared with the model group,Anzheng Kangliu Decoction suppressed the growth of subcutaneous xenograft tumors in nude mice(P<0.01),increased tumor tissue necrosis,decreased glucose consumption and lactate production in tumor tissues(P<0.05,P<0.01),and reduced the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,p-mTOR/mTOR,HK2,and LDHA(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Anzheng Kangliu Decoction exerts an in-hibitory effect on colorectal cancer,and its mechanism may be associated with the suppression of glycolysis through regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
7.Discussion on the Wenzi Jiedu Method for Treating Malignant Tumors Based on the Theory of Circulation of Phase Fire
Yutian GU ; Hongguang ZHOU ; Hao LI ; Xinyan DAI ; Yan SHAO ; Huan YANG ; Weichen YUAN
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(5):567-575
Based on the theory of circulation of qi,a theoretical model of the circulation of phase fire in the human body was con-structed.It is proposed that cancer toxicity is the key factor that triggers the disorder of phase fire and hinders the circulation of phase fire.The disorder of phase fire and poor circulation are important pathogenesis of the occurrence and development of cancer toxicity.With the principle of strengthening healthy qi and eliminating evil qi,the Wenzi Jiedu method is used to treat tumors,which plays an important role in warming and nourishing,regulating yin and yang,and eliminating cancer toxicity.The combination of war-ming,nourishing and detoxification can promote the return of the phase fire and make the human body's generation and transformation active,providing a new treatment idea for TCM diagnosis and treatment of tumors with mainly cold poison or mixed cold and heat.
8.Construction of Detoxication Method of Warming and Nourishing under the Guidance of Compound Pathogenesis Theory of Malignant Tumor
Weichen YUAN ; Hongguang ZHOU ; Yupei ZHUANG ; Hongli ZHOU ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(6):543-549
Based on the compound pathogenesis theory of malignant tumor,this article combines the theories of positive-evil,yin-yang,and central qi theories with the theory of cancer toxin,pointing out that the deficiency of positive and excess of evil are the basis for the onset of tumors.The pathogenesis characteristics of tumors are the loss of both yin and yang,stagnation of qi,and cancer toxin deeply lurking.The paper believes that the loss of both yin and yang often originates from the spleen and kidney,stagnation of qi is first blamed on the spleen and stomach,and cancer toxin deeply lurking often accompanies multiple evil qi.Based on this,the detoxi-cation method of warming and nourishing is proposed to treat malignant tumors.It is the combination or sequential application of the three methods of warming,nourishing,and detoxification,which play the role of warming and nourishing together,harmonizing yin and yang;promoting the circulation of qi,relieving depression,and regulating emotions;eliminating cancer and toxin,and breaking the combined evil.
9.Research progress of Mendelian randomization in ocular diseases
Xiran ZHANG ; Weichen YUAN ; Xiangrui LI ; Feier XU ; Fangkun ZHAO
International Eye Science 2024;24(5):784-789
Etiological research is necessary for understanding the occurrence and epidemiological patterns of diseases, and is also a prerequisite for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of clinical diseases. Mendelian randomization(MR), a method of research that combines genetics and epidemiology, has the advantage of exploring the causal relationship between exposure and disease genetically as well as avoiding confounding factors and reverse causation. Thus, it has been extensively utilized in the etiological study of diseases. This paper reviews the implementation of MR in the research of ocular diseases and provides ideas and approaches for the investigation of related mechanisms as well as the development of intervention strategies.
10.The role of discoid domain receptor 1 on renal tubular epithelial pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy
Weichen ZHAO ; Chunyuan HE ; Junjie JIANG ; Zongbiao ZHAO ; Hongzhong YUAN ; Facai WANG ; Bingxiang SHEN
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2022;26(6):427-438
Pyroptosis, a form of cell death associated with inflammation, is known to be involved in diabetic nephropathy (DN), and discoid domain receptor 1 (DDR1), an inflammatory regulatory protein, is reported to be associated with diabetes.However, the mechanism underlying DDR1 regulation and pyroptosis in DN remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the effect of DDR1 on renal tubular epithelial cell pyroptosis and the mechanism underlying DN. In this study, we used high glucose (HG)-treated HK-2 cells and rats with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin as DN models. Subsequently, the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (cleaved caspase-1, GSDMD-N, Interleukin-1β [IL-1β], and interleukin-18 [IL-18]), DDR1, phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB), and NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes were determined through Western blotting. IL-1β and IL-18 levels were determined using ELISA. The rate of pyroptosis was assessed by propidium iodide (PI) staining. The results revealed upregulated expression of pyroptosisrelated proteins and increased concentration of IL-1β and IL-18, accompanied by DDR1, p-NF-κB, and NLRP3 upregulation in DN rat kidney tissues and HG-treated HK-2 cells. Moreover, DDR1 knockdown in the background of HG treatment resulted in inhibited expression of pyroptosis-related proteins and attenuation of IL-1β and IL-18 production and PI-positive cell frequency via the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in HK-2 cells. However, NLRP3 overexpression reversed the effect of DDR1 knockdown on pyroptosis. In conclusion, we demonstrated that DDR1 may be associated with pyroptosis, and DDR1 knockdown inhibited HG-induced renal tubular epithelial cell pyroptosis. The NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway is probably involved in the underlying mechanism of these findings.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail