1.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Bupi Qingfei Prescription in Treating Stable Bronchiectasis
Zi YANG ; Guangsen LI ; Bing WANG ; Bo XU ; Jianxin WANG ; Sheng CAO ; Xinyan CHEN ; Xia SHI ; Qing MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):162-169
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Bupi Qingfei prescription (BPQF) in treating stable bronchiectasis in the patients with syndromes of lung-spleen Qi deficiency and phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs. MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients were randomized into BPQF and placebo control (PC) groups. On the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment, the BPQF granules and placebo were respectively administered at 10 g each time, twice a day, for a course of 24 weeks. The TCM symptom scores, Quality of Life Questionnaire for Bronchiectasis (QOL-B) scores, lung function indicators, T lymphocyte subsets, level of inflammatory factors in the sputum, level of neutrophil elastase (NE) in the sputum, and occurrence of adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. ResultsA total of 64 patients completed the study, encompassing 32 in the BPQF group and 32 in the PC group. After treatment, the BPQF group showed decreased TCM symptom scores (P<0.01), increased QOL-B scores (P<0.01), and declined levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and NE (P<0.05, P<0.01). The PC group showed decreased TCM symptom (except spleen deficiency) scores (P<0.01), increased the QOL-B health cognition and respiratory symptom domain scores (P<0.05, P<0.01), and a declined TNF-α level (P<0.01). Moreover, the BPQF group had lower TCM symptom (except chest tightness) scores (P<0.05, P<0.01), higher QOL-B (except treatment burden) scores (P<0.05, P<0.01), and lower levels of interleukin-6 and TNF-α (P<0.05) than the PC group. Neither group showed serious adverse reactions during the treatment process. ConclusionBPQF can ameliorate the clinical symptoms of stable bronchiectasis patients who have lung-spleen Qi deficiency or phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs by regulating the immune balance and inhibiting airway inflammatory responses.
2.Inheritance and Current Research Status of Major Spleen-Stomach Theories in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ling HU ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yunkai DAI ; Xu CHEN ; Shiqi LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):87-94
This paper systematically reviews the core concepts and lines of theoretical inheritance of major spleen-stomach theories in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including spleen deficiency theory, spleen-stomach damp-heat theory, and liver-spleen disharmony theory. It is found that these theories have all undergone a developmental trajectory characterized by classical foundation, refinement of therapeutic methods, systematization of pathogenesis, and modern innovation. The evolution of spleen-stomach theory has achieved a shift from a singular focus on tonifying the spleen to regulating dynamic middle-jiao (焦) balance, and from localized spleen-stomach regulation to the circular movement of qi involving all five zang organs. In terms of modern disease-syndrome integrative research, spleen deficiency syndrome is shown to be closely associated with impairment of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier, metabolic disorders, and gene polymorphisms related to Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric diseases. Spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome is closely linked to hyperactive energy metabolism, inflammatory cytokines, and abnormal expression of aquaporins. Liver-spleen disharmony syndrome is mainly associated with dysregulation of the brain-gut axis and microbiota-related metabolic disorders. It is proposed that future research on spleen-stomach diseases and syndromes should further elucidate their potential multidimensional differential biological characteristics, thereby promoting the modernization of the TCM discipline of spleen-stomach studies.
3.Research Advances of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease:Overview and Prospects
Liang DAI ; Guang JI ; Xianbo WANG ; Li ZHANG ; Hanchen XU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):386-391
The pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is fundamentally rooted in spleen deficiency and is closely associated with phlegm turbidity, damp-heat and blood stasis. Clinically, liver constraint with spleen deficiency and internal retention of damp turbidity represent the predominant traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome patterns. Researches have indicated intrinsic connections between the syndrome patterns and biological indicators such as gut microbiota and metabolic profiles. Regarding treatment, classical famous formulas, modern empirical formulas, and newly developed TCM drugs show positive effects in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, improving insulin resistance, and alleviating metabolic inflammation, exhibiting multi-target mechanisms of action; acupuncture and other external therapies also provide adjunctive value. Nevertheless, current researches still have limitations such as the lack of high-quality clinical evidence and insufficient systematic elucidation of the uncerlying mechanisms. Future efforts should focus on conducting high-quality TCM clinical trials with hard endpoint outcomes such as hepatic histology outcomes, and utilizing modern technologies like multi-omics to elucidate TCM's mechanisms of action, thereby advancing the position of TCM as a first-line therapeutic strategy for MASLD.
4.Current Research Status,Challenges,Differentiation and Treatment Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Fengyun WANG ; Mi LYU ; Bingduo ZHOU ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yi WANG ; Tingting XU ; Cong HE ; Xiaokang WANG ; Xin LIU ; Yang WANG ; Kaiyue HUANG ; Lusi XU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):392-396
This article systematically reviews the current research status as well as diagnosis and treatment strategies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Studies demonstrate that TCM, based on the "disease-syndrome combination" approach, exhibits multi-target advantages in alleviating symptoms of various GERD subtypes, promoting mucosal repair, regulating emotions, and facilitating the reduction of western medication. To address clinical challenges such as symptom overlap and limited therapeutic efficacy, strategies have been proposed including "treating different diseases with the same method" and integrated regulation based on viscera correlation. Future efforts should focus on elucidating the mechanisms of compound prescriptions, promoting TCM drug development under the "three-combination" evaluation framework that integrates TCM theory, human experience and clinical trial evidence, and optimizing integrated traditional and western medicine models to enhance GERD management.
5.Current Status,Strategies and Prospects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Yandong WEN ; Zhi YANG ; Shaogang HUANG ; Zhongyu LI ; Xiangxue MA ; Qing XU ; Liqing DU ; Bochao YUAN ; Yibing TIAN ; Wentong GE ; Xiaofan ZHAO ; Chang LIU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):404-409
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized primarily by abdominal pain and altered defecation habits. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has made progress in multiple aspects of IBS research and treatment, including syndrome distribution, development of TCM formulas, clinical efficacy evaluation, external therapies, and psychosocial regulation. However, it still faces challenges such as over-reliance on symptomatic manifestations rather than biomarkers for diagnostic criteria, and the lack of high-quality evidence-based data supporting the efficacy of TCM formulas in treating IBS. This paper proposed that TCM diagnosis and treatment of IBS should adhere to the strategy of integrating the holistic concept with syndrome differentiation and treatment, combining TCM external therapies such as acupuncture, moxibustion and acupoint application), and emphasizing individualized diagnosis and treatment for psychosomatic abnormalities. Future research should integrate multi-omics technologies, artificial intelligence and other methods to deepen the understanding of the pathogenesis of IBS and the mechanisms of TCM formulas, so as to promote the standardization and internationalization of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of IBS.
6.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.
7.Compilation Instruction for Pharmacovigilance Guideline for Clinical Application of Chinese Patent Medicine for External Use
Xin CUI ; Dingquan YANG ; Zhennian XIE ; Yuanyuan LI ; Zhifei WANG ; Xu WEI ; Jinghua GAO ; Lianxin WANG ; Yanming XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):252-259
The Pharmacovigilance Guideline for Clinical Application of Chinese Patent Medicine for External Use (T/CACM 1563.5—2024), the first guideline in China specializing for the clinical safety of Chinese patent medicines for external use, was led by the Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,and jointly developed by more than 30 research institutions of medical sciences across the country. Aiming to standardize the pharmacovigilance activities in the clinical application of Chinese patent medicines for external use,the guideline systematically categorizes potential risks and proposes prevention and control measures that cover 11 core sections of risk monitoring and reporting, signal identification,as well as assessment and control, addressing the gap in domestic and international standardization of this field. The compilation of this guideline strictly adhered to international norms and domestic regulations, involving multiple rounds of expert consultations,hybrid interviews, and evidence integration (covering literature,medical insurance,essential medicine,pharmacopoeia data, and regulatory information). With the scope of application defined to include medical institutions, pharmaceutical manufacturers and distribution enterprises,as well as regulatory authorities, the guideline focuses on key issues such as inherent medicine risks,quality risks,off-label use,risks of combination therapy,and the safety in special populations. During the compilation,core discrepancies such as the definition of application scope and quality risk control were addressed to ensure alignment with regulations such as the Drug Administration Law of the People's Republic of China and the Good Pharmacovigilance Practice. The guideline is registered internationally (PREPARE—2022CN463). In the future,the implementation of the guideline will be promoted through hierarchical dissemination,dynamic revision,and post-effectiveness evaluation, contributing to rational clinical use and improved patient safety.
8.Compilation Instruction for Pharmacovigilance Guideline for Clinical Application of Chinese Patent Medicine for External Use
Xin CUI ; Dingquan YANG ; Zhennian XIE ; Yuanyuan LI ; Zhifei WANG ; Xu WEI ; Jinghua GAO ; Lianxin WANG ; Yanming XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):252-259
The Pharmacovigilance Guideline for Clinical Application of Chinese Patent Medicine for External Use (T/CACM 1563.5—2024), the first guideline in China specializing for the clinical safety of Chinese patent medicines for external use, was led by the Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,and jointly developed by more than 30 research institutions of medical sciences across the country. Aiming to standardize the pharmacovigilance activities in the clinical application of Chinese patent medicines for external use,the guideline systematically categorizes potential risks and proposes prevention and control measures that cover 11 core sections of risk monitoring and reporting, signal identification,as well as assessment and control, addressing the gap in domestic and international standardization of this field. The compilation of this guideline strictly adhered to international norms and domestic regulations, involving multiple rounds of expert consultations,hybrid interviews, and evidence integration (covering literature,medical insurance,essential medicine,pharmacopoeia data, and regulatory information). With the scope of application defined to include medical institutions, pharmaceutical manufacturers and distribution enterprises,as well as regulatory authorities, the guideline focuses on key issues such as inherent medicine risks,quality risks,off-label use,risks of combination therapy,and the safety in special populations. During the compilation,core discrepancies such as the definition of application scope and quality risk control were addressed to ensure alignment with regulations such as the Drug Administration Law of the People's Republic of China and the Good Pharmacovigilance Practice. The guideline is registered internationally (PREPARE—2022CN463). In the future,the implementation of the guideline will be promoted through hierarchical dissemination,dynamic revision,and post-effectiveness evaluation, contributing to rational clinical use and improved patient safety.
9.Effect of Different Degrees of Blood Stasis on Cognitive Function and Plasma Differential Metabolites in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease
Shihan XU ; Yanfei LIU ; Fenglan LIU ; Qing WANG ; Fengqin XU ; Yue LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):167-176
ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between the blood stasis score of coronary heart disease(CAD) and mild cognitive impairment(MCI), as well as the changes in plasma metabolic profile of blood stasis in patients with CAD combined with MCI(CADMCI) through a cross-sectional study, and further explore the impact of different degrees of blood stasis on the plasma metabolite profile of CADMCI patients. MethodsAccording to the diagnostic criteria of CAD and CAD blood stasis, patients hospitalized in Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from October 2022 to October 2023 were continuously included. According to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA) scale score, the enrolled patients were divided into CADMCI blood stasis group and CAD blood stasis group. The association between blood stasis score and MCI was analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression model. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was drawn, and the area under the curve(AUC) was calculated to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the model. According to the blood stasis score, the first 30 patients in the CADMCI blood stasis group and CAD blood stasis group were divided into mild blood stasis and severe blood stasis. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was used to detect plasma metabolites in each group of patients. The differential metabolites were screened according to variable importance in the projection(VIP) value≥1, fold change(FC)<0.67 or >1.5, and P<0.05. ROC curve analysis was further used to evaluate the discriminatory efficiency of the screened differential metabolites for each group of samples. ResultsA total of 266 CAD patients were included in this study. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the CAD blood stasis score was significantly correlated with MCI[odds ratio(OR)=1.619, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.223-2.142, P<0.001, ROC curve AUC was 0.615(95% CI 0.547-0.683, P=0.001)], indicating that the CAD blood stasis score has a certain predictive value for MCI. Plasma non-targeted metabolomics analysis showed that the main differential metabolites between CAD blood stasis and CADMCI blood stasis were lipid metabolites, among which phosphatidylcholine[20∶4(5Z, 8Z, 11Z, 14Z)/P-18∶1(11Z)] had the best discriminatory efficiency(ROC curve AUC=0.867, 95% CI 0.754-0.942). Further analysis of the differential metabolites between mild and severe blood stasis showed that lipid metabolites were also the main differential metabolites between mild and severe blood stasis. Among them, 1α,25-dihydroxy-2β-(2-hydroxyethoxy) vitamin D3 had the best efficacy in distinguishing mild and severe CAD blood stasis(AUC=0.813, 95% CI 0.649-0.951), and phosphatidylcholine 34∶2 had the best efficacy in distinguishing mild and severe CADMCI blood stasis(AUC=0.819, 95% CI 0.640-0.941). ConclusionThere is a significant correlation between CAD blood stasis score and MCI. Phosphatidylcholine metabolites play an important role in the pathogenesis of CADMCI blood stasis and severe blood stasis. The CAD blood stasis score combined with the detection of phosphatidylcholine metabolites can provide a reference for the development of early and efficient identification strategies for CADMCI.
10.Role of VEGF Signaling Pathway in Pathological Mechanism of Colorectal Cancer and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Qiuning LIU ; Yutian ZHU ; Yun XU ; Yang YE ; Xiaoqiang JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):289-296
Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from the epithelial cells of the colon and rectum. It has the third highest incidence and the second highest mortality rate among malignant tumors worldwide. With the rapid development of the economy and the increasing Westernization of dietary habits in China, its incidence in China has been rising year by year. Over the past decade, despite the introduction of numerous treatment methods for colorectal cancer, the efficacy of existing therapies remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become a major focus in the treatment of colorectal cancer due to its advantages of multi-target, multi-pathway mechanisms and low toxicity and side effects. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important angiogenic factor that promotes blood vessel formation, providing nutrients and oxygen for tumor growth. It also increases vascular permeability, allowing tumor cells to easily pass through the blood vessel wall into other tissues, thereby facilitating metastasis. Several studies have shown that TCM can inhibit tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, promote tumor cell apoptosis, and inhibit the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by acting on the VEGF signaling pathway, thereby delaying tumor growth. In recent years, research in this field has been rapidly updated, but there is a lack of relevant summaries, making subsequent literature searches inconvenient. Therefore, this article focuses on the physiological functions of the VEGF signaling pathway, its role in the occurrence of colorectal cancer, and the intervention of TCM on VEGF, providing a supplement and summary of relevant information to offer a reference for future research in this area.

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