1.Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Chemical Constituents in Gualou Niubangtang by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and HPLC
Yiyi ZHANG ; Jing YANG ; Yuqing CHENG ; Huimin GAO ; Jin QIN ; Li YAO ; Xiyang DU ; Raorao LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):179-187
ObjectiveThis paper aims to clarify the material basis of Gualou Niubangtang and establish a quantitative analysis method for its main constituents, providing a reference for the overall quality control of this preparation. MethodsThe constituents in the formula were systematically characterized based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Identification was performed by matching with the UNIFI 9.6 software and utilizing database platforms such as PubChem, ChemicalBook, and ChemSpider, combined with relevant literature reports. A quantitative analysis method for the seven main constituents in Gualou Niubangtang was established by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). ResultsUPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis identified 155 constituents, including 69 flavonoids, 36 terpenoids, 23 phenylpropanoids, 8 phenylethanoid glycosides, and 19 other types of constituents. In the established quantitative analysis method, the seven main constituents showed good linearity within their respective linear ranges. The precision, repeatability, stability, and spike recovery all met the required standards. The results showed that the content ranges of geniposide, liquiritin, hesperidin, arctiin, baicalin, oroxylin A-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, and wogonoside in 15 batches of Gualou Niubangtang were 13.67-21.25, 1.20-7.64, 5.45-7.45, 22.97-33.51, 29.95-39.07, 2.58-4.80, and 6.56-9.31 mg·g-1, respectively. ConclusionThis study successfully characterizes and attributes multi-category constituents in Gualou Niubangtang, clarifying that its material basis is primarily composed of flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, and phenylpropanoids. Furthermore, it enables the quantification of seven constituents within the formula. This work lays a foundation for research on the quality control, action mechanism, and clinical application of this formula.
2.A Review of Methods for Establishing and Evaluating Animal Models of Stroke
Yunrong YANG ; Wenyu WU ; Yue TAN ; Guofeng YAN ; Yao LI ; Jin LU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(1):94-106
Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Research into its mechanisms and the development of therapeutic strategies heavily rely on animal models that accurately replicate the pathological features of human disease. An ideal animal model for stroke should not only reproduce the neurological deficits and pathological changes observed in clinical patients but also demonstrate good reproducibility and translational value. This review focuses on the preparation and evaluation methods of ischemic stroke animal models. Firstly, it elaborates on the selection criteria, advantages, and disadvantages of experimental animals, including rodents (rats, mice) and non-rodents (non-human primates, miniature pigs, rabbits, zebrafish). Secondly, it provides a detailed overview of the modeling principles, key procedures, and application scopes for ischemic stroke models and hemorrhagic stroke models. Furthermore, the review summarizes advances in the applications of emerging technologies—including gene editing [e.g., clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene editing], multimodal imaging (e.g., two-photon microscopy, photoacoustic imaging), artificial intelligence, optogenetics, 3D bioprinting, organoid models, and multi-omics–in model optimization, precise assessment, and mechanistic investigation. Finally, based on a systematic analysis of relevant domestic and international literature from 2019 to 2024, this review discusses model selection strategies based on research objectives, a multidimensional evaluation system encompassing behavioral, imaging, and molecular pathological assessments, and envisions future directions involving technological integration to achieve model precision and individualization. This article aims to provide a comprehensive methodological reference to help researchers select appropriate animal models of stroke according to specific scientific questions.
4.Exploring Mechanism of Xiaojinwan-containing Serum in Inhibiting Breast Cancer Cells Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Hongdi TANG ; Xiaobo JIN ; Chen GAO ; Hongkai LI ; Zhiming LI ; Lu YAO ; Fengli SONG ; Ning KANG ; Wenwen WANG ; Ying SUN ; Zhibin WANG ; Tong LI ; Yingli ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):13-22
ObjectiveTo investigate the role and underlying mechanism of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the process of Xiaojinwan (XJW)-containing serum interfering with endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. MethodsXJW-containing serum was prepared by intragastric administration of XJW (4 g·kg-1) to SD rats. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured in vitro. β-Catenin overexpression and knockdown plasmids were constructed and transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells. The optimal XJW-containing serum (4 g·kg-1) according to previous studies was used for β-catenin intervention and overexpression experiments. The groups for intervention/overexpression experiments included intervention/overexpression blank group, β-catenin intervention/overexpression group, intervention/overexpression blank + XJW group, and β-catenin intervention/overexpression + XJW group. Cell morphology was observed under a microscope. Flow cytometry was used to detect and record apoptosis rates. Western blot was performed to measure apoptosis-related proteins [B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and active-Caspase-3] and EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect β-catenin mRNA expression levels in different groups. ResultsIntervention experiment results showed that compared with the intervention blank group, the β-catenin intervention group and the intervention blank + XJW group showed increased apoptosis rates (P<0.05, P<0.01), elevated protein levels of Bax, active Caspase-3, and E-cadherin (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased protein levels of Bcl-2 and Vimentin (P<0.05, P<0.01). β-catenin mRNA expression was reduced in the β-catenin intervention group (P<0.05, 0.63 ± 0.15) and the intervention blank + XJW group (P<0.05, 0.79 ± 0.33). Compared with the β-catenin intervention group, the β-catenin intervention + XJW group exhibited an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), elevated Bax and active Caspase-3 protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and Vimentin protein levels (P<0.05). β-catenin mRNA expression was further reduced in the β-catenin intervention + XJW group (P<0.01, 0.22 ± 0.08). Compared with the intervention blank + XJW group, the β-catenin intervention + XJW group showed an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), elevated Bax, active Caspase-3, and E-cadherin protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and vimentin protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). β-catenin mRNA expression was also reduced (P<0.05). Overexpression experiment results showed that compared with the overexpression blank group, the β-catenin overexpression group exhibited a reduced apoptosis rate (P<0.01), while the overexpression blank + XJW group showed an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.05). In the β-catenin overexpression and β-catenin overexpression + XJW groups, Bax and E-cadherin protein levels decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and vimentin levels increased (P<0.05). In the overexpression blank + XJW group, Bax and E-cadherin levels increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and vimentin levels decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). β-catenin mRNA expression increased in the β-catenin overexpression group (P<0.01, 7.26 ± 1.03) but decreased in the overexpression blank + XJW group (P<0.05, 0.73 ± 0.14). Compared with the β-catenin overexpression group, the β-catenin overexpression + XJW group showed an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), elevated Bax and E-cadherin levels (P<0.05), and decreased N-cadherin and vimentin levels (P<0.05). β-catenin mRNA expression was reduced (P<0.05, 4.65 ± 1.02). Compared with the overexpression blank + XJW group, the β-catenin overexpression + XJW group exhibited a reduced apoptosis rate (P<0.01), decreased Bax and E-cadherin levels (P<0.01), and increased Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and Vimentin levels (P<0.05). β-catenin mRNA expression increased (P<0.01). ConclusionXJW-containing serum inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation by suppressing EMT, which is associated with the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
5.Expert consensus on basic public services for vision health management of primary and secondary school students
YANG Lihua , WU Xi, TAO Shuman, YAO Jun, WU Fengbo, LIU Fangli, MA Yinghua, FENG Zhanchun, SUN Renbiao, LIU Dongru, CHEN Qiusheng, CHEN Jie, YU Yizhen, ZHANG Mingchang, WU Xiaoyan, DU Yukai, LI Xiaoqing, LI Li, WU Xixi, JIN Xiaoqin, XU Ting, WU Mengjia, TANG Jia, Society of Student Vision Health Management of Chinese Health Association, Vision Health Branch of Chinese Association for Student Nutrition & ; Health Promotion
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(8):1069-1074
Abstract
To clarify the service targets, service contents, and safeguard mechanisms of the basic public service program for student vision health management, the study grounded in the current status of child and adolescent myopia prevention and control in China and integrated with the practical experience and innovative practices of Wuhan National Demonstration Area for Student Vision Health Management, takes education as the main thread and schools as the base, consolidating resources from multiple stakeholders including education administrative departments, schools, families, and professional technical service institutions. Centering on four core components—vision health education, monitoring and record keeping, risk prevention and control, and dynamic management, the study constructs a multi tiered basic public service system for vision health management of primary and secondary school students. It further proposes the use of an intelligent management platform and a "three tier color coded early warning" mechanism (red, yellow, blue) to prevent and control student myopia at the source, providing schools with replicable and operable implementation pathways to enhance the level of student vision health management.
6.Mechanism of Zuogui Pills in regulating bone metabolism through OXT/OXTR feed-forward loop based on theory of "all marrows dominated by brain".
Yan-Chen FENG ; Ya-Li LIU ; Xue DANG ; Lu SUN ; Jin-Yao LI ; Jia-Bin SONG ; Shun-Zhi YANG ; Fei-Xiang LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2761-2768
Grounded in the theory of "all marrows dominated by brain", this study explored the therapeutic mechanism of Zuogui Pills in modulating the oxytocin(OXT)/oxytocin receptor(OXTR) feed-forward loop in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis(PMOP). A PMOP rat model was established using ovariectomy, and 70 Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into the following groups: sham operation group, model group, estradiol group(17β-estradiol, 0.05 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), Zuogui Pills low, medium, and high dose groups(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1), respectively), and an antagonist group(atosiban 0.9 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) + 17β-estradiol 0.05 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) + Zuogui Pills 0.4 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After 12 weeks of model establishment, treatment was administered by gavage once daily for another 12 weeks, followed by sample collection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of estrogen(E_2), OXT, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRACP-5b), and bone alkaline phosphatase(BALP). Histopathological changes in the left distal femur were observed through hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. Micro-computed tomography(micro-CT) was used to analyze the microstructure of the right distal femur. Western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of OXTR, small GTP-binding protein Ras, Raf1 proto-oncogene(Raf1), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2(MEK1/2), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2), and their phosphorylated forms in tibial tissues. Compared with the model group, the Zuogui Pills medium and high dose groups showed significantly increased levels of E_2, OXT, and BALP, with a notable decrease in TRACP-5b levels. Morphologically, the trabeculae in the left distal femur were more tightly arranged. The fibrous structure in the right distal femur was significantly improved in the Zuogui Pills high dose group. Additionally, the expression of OXTR, Ras, p-Raf1, p-MEK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 proteins in tibial tissues was significantly increased. The therapeutic effect of the Zuogui Pills high dose group was partially inhibited when an OXTR antagonist was administered. These findings suggest that Zuogui Pills can regulate the OXT/OXTR feed-forward loop, activate the phosphorylation of the downstream Ras/Raf1/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, and ultimately improve bone mineral density, thereby exerting therapeutic effects in PMOP.
Animals
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Female
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Oxytocin/genetics*
;
Receptors, Oxytocin/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/genetics*
;
Bone and Bones/drug effects*
;
Brain/drug effects*
;
Bone Marrow/drug effects*
7.Identification of characteristics, supply channels, and imperial court processing of Arecae Semen in the Qing court.
Feng-Yuan LI ; Hua-Sheng PENG ; Xue-Ling GUAN ; Yan JIN ; Ting YAO ; Yuan YUAN ; Lu-Qi HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):2924-2930
Qing court records show that Arecae Semen was extensively applied. The royal medical records of the Qing Dynasty document nine types of Arecae Semen, with the Palace Museum preserving seven kinds, totaling twelve cultural relics. Historical documents and physical artifacts corroborate each other, providing evidence for the study of the supply channels and court processing of Arecae Semen in the Qing court. According to relevant Qing court archival records, the sources of Arecae Semen used in the imperial court were diverse, including tributes from foreign countries such as Vietnam and Gurkha, annual tributes from local governments in Guangdong, gifts from close aides, and commodities purchased by the Imperial Household Department from civilian shops. The imperial physicians of the Qing court placed great emphasis on the specifications of Arecae Semen slices and were extremely meticulous about their processing. The variety of Arecae Semen slices used in the Qing palace exceeded those recorded in the botanical texts of the era. Compared with the commonly used processing methods for Arecae Semen in the Qing Dynasty, the imperial physicians adjusted the properties and efficacy of the herbs through different processing techniques, based on the patient's condition, constitution, and other factors, in order to meet the clinical treatment needs of the court. The slicing of Arecae Semen in the Qing court required strict control of thickness, with an average thickness of 0.44 mm, which is significantly thinner than the Arecae Semen slices found in today's markets. The texture was softer, making them easier to chew and absorb. Both the Qing court Arecae Semen slices and the Muxiang Binglang Pills focused on the use of authentic medicinal materials, ensuring the quality of the medicine and enhancing the efficacy of Arecae Semen through meticulous selection and preparation.
China
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history*
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Humans
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history*
;
History, 19th Century
;
History, Ancient
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History, 17th Century
;
History, 18th Century
8.Bioinformatics analysis of efferocytosis-related genes in diabetic kidney disease and screening of targeted traditional Chinese medicine.
Yi KANG ; Qian JIN ; Xue-Zhe WANG ; Meng-Qi ZHOU ; Hui-Juan ZHENG ; Dan-Wen LI ; Jie LYU ; Yao-Xian WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):4037-4052
This study employed bioinformatics to screen the feature genes related to efferocytosis in diabetic kidney disease(DKD) and explores traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) regulating these feature genes. The GSE96804 and GSE30528 datasets were integrated as the training set, and the intersection of differentially expressed genes and efferocytosis-related genes(ERGs) was identified as DKD-ERGs. Subsequently, correlation analysis, protein-protein interaction(PPI) network construction, enrichment analysis, and immune infiltration analysis were performed. Consensus clustering was conducted on DKD patients based on the expression levels of DKD-ERGs, and the expression levels, immune infiltration characteristics, and gene set variations between different subtypes were explored. Eight machine learning models were constructed and their prediction performance was evaluated. The best-performing model was evaluated by nomograms, calibration curves, and external datasets, followed by the identification of efferocytosis-related feature genes associated with DKD. Finally, potential TCMs that can regulate these feature genes were predicted. The results showed that the training set contained 640 differentially expressed genes, and after intersecting with ERGs, 12 DKD-ERGs were obtained, which demonstrated mutual regulation and immune modulation effects. Consensus clustering divided DKD into two subtypes, C1 and C2. The support vector machine(SVM) model had the best performance, predicting that growth arrest-specific protein 6(GAS6), S100 calcium-binding protein A9(S100A9), C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1(CX3CL1), 5'-nucleotidase(NT5E), and interleukin 33(IL33) were the feature genes of DKD. Potential TCMs with therapeutic effects included Astragali Radix, Trionycis Carapax, Sargassum, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Curcumae Radix, and Alismatis Rhizoma, which mainly function to clear heat, replenish deficiency, activate blood, resolve stasis, and promote urination and drain dampness. Molecular docking revealed that the key components of these TCMs, including β-sitosterol, quercetin, and sitosterol, exhibited good binding activity with the five target genes. These results indicated that efferocytosis played a crucial role in the development and progression of DKD. The feature genes closely related to both DKD and efferocytosis, such as GAS6, S100A9, CX3CL1, NT5E, and IL33, were identified. TCMs such as Astragali Radix, Trionycis Carapa, Sargassum, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Curcumae Radix, and Alismatis Rhizoma may provide a new therapeutic strategy for DKD by regulating efferocytosis.
Humans
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Computational Biology
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Diabetic Nephropathies/physiopathology*
;
Protein Interaction Maps
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
;
Phagocytosis/genetics*
;
Efferocytosis
9.Regulatory effects of Dangua Humai Oral Liquid on gut microbiota and mucosal barrier in mice with glucolipid metabolism disorder.
Zhuang HAN ; Lin-Xi JIN ; Zhi-Ta WANG ; Liu-Qing YANG ; Liang LI ; Yi RUAN ; Qi-Wei CHEN ; Shu-Hong YAO ; Xian-Pei HENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4315-4324
The gut microbiota regulates intestinal nutrient absorption, participates in modulating host glucolipid metabolism, and contributes to ameliorating glucolipid metabolism disorder. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota can compromise the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, induce inflammatory responses, and exacerbate insulin resistance and abnormal lipid metabolism in the host. Dangua Humai Oral Liquid, a hospital-developed formulation for regulating glucolipid metabolism, has been granted a national invention patent and demonstrates significant clinical efficacy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Dangua Humai Oral Liquid on gut microbiota and the intestinal mucosal barrier in a mouse model with glucolipid metabolism disorder. A glucolipid metabolism disorder model was established by feeding mice a high-glucose and high-fat diet. The mice were divided into a normal group, a model group, and a treatment group, with eight mice in each group. The treatment group received a daily gavage of Dangua Humai Oral Liquid(20 g·kg~(-1)), while the normal group and model group were given an equivalent volume of sterile water. After 15 weeks of intervention, glucolipid metabolism, intestinal mucosal barrier function, and inflammatory responses were evaluated. Metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics were employed to analyze changes in gut microbiota and associated metabolic pathways. Significant differences were observed between the indicators of the normal group and the model group. Compared with the model group, the treatment group exhibited marked improvements in glucolipid metabolism disorder, alleviated pathological damage in the liver and small intestine tissue, elevated expression of recombinant claudin 1(CLDN1), occluding(OCLN), and zonula occludens 1(ZO-1) in the small intestine tissue, and reduced serum levels of inflammatory factors lipopolysaccharides(LPS), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein(LBP), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidota decreased, while that of Firmicutes increased. Lipid-related metabolic pathways were significantly altered. In conclusion, based on the successful establishment of the mouse model of glucolipid metabolism disorder, this study confirmed that Dangua Humai Oral Liquid effectively modulates gut microbiota and mucosal barrier function, reduces serum inflammatory factor levels, and regulates lipid-related metabolic pathways, thereby ameliorating glucolipid metabolism disorder.
Animals
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Mice
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Intestinal Mucosa/microbiology*
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Male
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Humans
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Glycolipids/metabolism*
;
Lipid Metabolism/drug effects*
;
Administration, Oral
;
Disease Models, Animal
10.Multicenter randomized controlled trial of Yiqi Huoxue formula() for the treatment of ruptured lumbar disc herniation.
Yu ZHU ; Zhi-Qiang WANG ; Shun LIN ; Ying-Ying YAO ; Xue-Qiang SHEN ; Xiao-Chun LI ; Feng YU ; Xiao-Yang XIONG ; Yi SONG ; Meng-Fei CHEN ; Peng-Fei YU ; Hong JIANG ; Jin-Tao LIU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(11):1112-1118
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the clinical symptoms and MRI outcomes of patients with ruptured lumbar disc herniation(LDH) through a multicenter randomized controlled study, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiqi Huoxue formula() in the treatment of this disease.
METHODS:
A total of 160 outpatients and inpatients with ruptured LDH admitted to 4 medical centers from January 2023 to June 2023 were selected and randomly divided into the Yiqi Huoxue formula group and the control group, with 80 patients in each group. In the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, there were 43 males and 37 females, with an age of (41.03±9.56) years and a disease duration of (10.45±25.37) days, and the patients were treated with Yiqi Huoxue formula. In the control group, there were 34 males and 46 females, with an age of (42.14±8.73) years and a disease duration of (11.31±21.14) days;during the acute phase, patients in this group could take celecoxib capsules orally, and methylcobalamin orally at the same time. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), changes in the volume of herniated disc tissue on MRI, herniation rate, and absorption rate were recorded at the time of enrollment and during follow-ups at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month after treatment.
RESULTS:
A total of 156 patients completed the clinical follow-up, and 4 patients withdrew midway. The clinical symptoms of all patients who completed the study were relieved to varying degrees, and reabsorption of herniated disc tissue was observed in all patients in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group after treatment. For the JOA score:in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, it was (10.73±2.76) points before treatment and (24.65±2.19) points at the 12th month after treatment;in the control group, it was (11.01±1.20) points before treatment and (17.07±3.26) points at the 12th month after treatment. For the ODI score:in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, it was (26.21±3.55) points before treatment and (5.65±2.19) points at the 12th month after treatment;in the control group, it was (27.92±2.51) points before treatment and (9.09±2.15) points at the 12th month after treatment. At the 12th month after treatment, the JOA and ODI scores of both groups were better than those before treatment, and the scores of the Yiqi Huoxue formula group were better than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In terms of the herniated disc volume and herniation rate on MRI, the Yiqi Huoxue formula group was superior to the control group, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). Reabsorption occurred in 56.96%(45/79) of patients in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, which was significantly higher than the 37.66%(29/77) in the control group.
CONCLUSION
After treatment with Yiqi Huoxue formula, patients with ruptured LDH show significant improvement in clinical symptoms and a marked reduction in the volume of herniated discs. During the follow-up period, no obvious adverse drug reactions are observed in patients, and no recurrence of symptoms is found at the last follow-up, indicating that the formula has safe and reliable efficacy.
Humans
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Male
;
Female
;
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/drug therapy*
;
Adult
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Middle Aged
;
Lumbar Vertebrae


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