1.Treatment of Liver Cancer by Intervening TGF-β Signaling Pathway with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Hao CHENG ; Haohao GUO ; Jun SUN ; Juan XUE ; Chunyan JI ; Shiyi LI ; Yuxue DING ; Huaqiang YUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):318-326
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive system and ranks sixth among newly diagnosed malignant tumors worldwide. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) regulates cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and other physiological and pathological mechanisms and exerts cancer-suppressive and pro-cancerous dual effects in the process of tumor development. In recent years, with the continuous exploration of the mechanism of liver cancer, it has been found that the conversion of the cancer-suppressive effect into a pro-cancerous effect of this pathway plays a key role in the development of liver cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a unique perspective for the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of liver cancer with its comprehensive regulatory effects of multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways. This paper summarized that the cancer-suppressive mechanisms of the TGF-β signaling pathway included promoting cancer cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, autophagy, et al, while the pro-cancerous mechanisms included promoting cancer cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, immunosuppression, angiogenesis, et al. The TCM compounds intervening this pathway were sorted out, including Jianpi Huayu compound, Fuyang Baoyuan compound, Yipi Yanggan compound, Fuzheng Jiedu compound, compound Astragalus and Salvia, Biejia Jianwan, Dahuang Zhechong pill, and Qingxiang powder. The single TCMs mainly included Schizocapsa plantaginea, Dendrobii Caulis, Gleditsia sinensis, and Dracaena cochinchinensis. The active ingredients of TCM are mainly concentrated on flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics, terpenoids, polysaccharides, and other kinds of compounds. At the same time, it summarized that the liver cancer inhibition mechanism of TCM by regulating this pathway mainly included promoting apoptosis of liver cancer cells, blocking the cell cycle, and inhibiting liver cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, immune escape, etc. The mechanism aims to give full play to the advantages of TCM and precisely regulate the TGF-β signal, thereby exerting positive anti-tumor effects, opening up a new direction for the precise targeted treatment of liver cancer, and providing a scientific basis and a new strategy for the application of TCM in the treatment of liver cancer.
2.Treatment of Liver Cancer by Intervening TGF-β Signaling Pathway with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Hao CHENG ; Haohao GUO ; Jun SUN ; Juan XUE ; Chunyan JI ; Shiyi LI ; Yuxue DING ; Huaqiang YUE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):318-326
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive system and ranks sixth among newly diagnosed malignant tumors worldwide. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) regulates cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and other physiological and pathological mechanisms and exerts cancer-suppressive and pro-cancerous dual effects in the process of tumor development. In recent years, with the continuous exploration of the mechanism of liver cancer, it has been found that the conversion of the cancer-suppressive effect into a pro-cancerous effect of this pathway plays a key role in the development of liver cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a unique perspective for the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of liver cancer with its comprehensive regulatory effects of multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways. This paper summarized that the cancer-suppressive mechanisms of the TGF-β signaling pathway included promoting cancer cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, autophagy, et al, while the pro-cancerous mechanisms included promoting cancer cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, immunosuppression, angiogenesis, et al. The TCM compounds intervening this pathway were sorted out, including Jianpi Huayu compound, Fuyang Baoyuan compound, Yipi Yanggan compound, Fuzheng Jiedu compound, compound Astragalus and Salvia, Biejia Jianwan, Dahuang Zhechong pill, and Qingxiang powder. The single TCMs mainly included Schizocapsa plantaginea, Dendrobii Caulis, Gleditsia sinensis, and Dracaena cochinchinensis. The active ingredients of TCM are mainly concentrated on flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics, terpenoids, polysaccharides, and other kinds of compounds. At the same time, it summarized that the liver cancer inhibition mechanism of TCM by regulating this pathway mainly included promoting apoptosis of liver cancer cells, blocking the cell cycle, and inhibiting liver cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, immune escape, etc. The mechanism aims to give full play to the advantages of TCM and precisely regulate the TGF-β signal, thereby exerting positive anti-tumor effects, opening up a new direction for the precise targeted treatment of liver cancer, and providing a scientific basis and a new strategy for the application of TCM in the treatment of liver cancer.
3.Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis by Regulating PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway:A Review
Yuxue DING ; Zhiwei SU ; Juan XUE ; Jun SUN ; Chunyan JI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):307-315
Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a digestive system disease characterized by the reduction and atrophy of the intrinsic glands of the gastric mucosa. This disease is closely related to risk factors such as Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection,long-term unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle. As CAG is a key link in the development of gastric cancer,effectively preventing its deterioration is of great significance for the prevention of gastric cancer. At present,Western medicine mainly uses symptomatic treatments such as eradicating Hp,protecting gastric mucosa, and promoting gastrointestinal motility. However, long-term use is prone to drug resistance and cannot reverse limitations such as gland atrophy, making it urgent to explore new intervention strategies. In recent years,with the deepening of CAG mechanism research,the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway,as one of the classic signaling pathways,plays a significant role in the occurrence and development of CAG,while its systematic summary is still blank. Based on the regulatory advantages of "multi-target,multi-pathway,and low toxicity",traditional Chinese medicine can improve the pathological process of CAG by intervening in key nodes of the PI3K/Akt pathway. In this paper,the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine regulating PI3K/Akt pathway to improve CAG was systematically reviewed for the first time. The expression of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in CAG was discussed,including the regulation of inflammation and oxidative stress,cell proliferation and apoptosis,and autophagy. The traditional Chinese medicine flavonoids,alkaloids,terpenoids and other compounds that regulate this pathway were summarized. The traditional Chinese medicine compounds mainly include classic famous prescriptions such as Xiaochaihu Tang,Banxia Xiexin Tang,Morodan concentrated pills,Elian granules and other traditional Chinese patent medicines,as well as empirical prescriptions such as modified Leweiyin formula,and Qiling prescription. This study aims to give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine and lay a solid foundation for the wide application and further development of CAG treatment,and provide new ideas for clinical research and drug research on CAG.
4.Effects of Kangxian Ruangan Granules on TGF-β1/Smad Signaling Pathway in Mice with Liver Fibrosis
Zhiwei SU ; Yuxue DING ; Jun SUN ; Chunyan JI ; Juan XUE
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(11):84-91
Objective To study the mechanism of Kangxian Ruangan Granules in improving mouse liver fibrosis by regulating TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.Methods Eight out of 50 SPF grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly selected as the normal group,and the remaining mice were intraperitoneally injected with 20%CCl4 olive oil solution(2 mL/kg,3 times a week for 4 weeks)to establish the liver fibrosis model.The successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model group,silibinin group,and Kangxian Ruangan Granules low-,medium-and high-dosage groups using a random number table method,with 8 mice in each group.Each group of Kangxian Ruangan Granules was orally administered at dosages of 1.95,3.90 and 7.80 g/kg;the silibinin group was orally administered at a dosage of 100 mg/kg,while the normal group and model group were given equal volume of physiological saline by gavage,once a day for 8 weeks.The body mass and liver mass of mice were weighed and the liver index was calculated,the contents of serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),hydroxyproline(HYP),hyaluronic acid(HA),type Ⅲ procollagen(PC-Ⅲ),type Ⅳ collagen(ColⅣ)and laminin(LN)were detected by ELISA;liver tissue morphology was observed using HE,Masson and sirius red staining;immunohistochemistry,RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of type Ⅰ collagen(ColⅠ),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway related factors in liver tissue.Results Compared with the normal group,the body mass of the model group mice decreased(P<0.01),while the liver mass and liver index increased(P<0.01);the contents of ALT,AST,HYP,HA,LN,PC-Ⅲ and ColⅣ were increased(P<0.01);the structure of liver lobules was disordered,with diffuse steatosis of liver cells,disordered arrangement of hepatic cords,infiltration of inflammatory cells,and significant fibrosis in the central and portal vein areas of liver lobules;the mRNA expressions of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in liver tissue increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the protein expressions of ColⅠ,α-SMA,TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad3,p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the body mass of mice in silibinin group and each dosage of Kangxian Ruangan Granules increased(P<0.01),while the liver mass and liver index decreased(P<0.01);the contents of ALT,AST,HYP,HA,LN,PC-Ⅲ and ColⅣ in serum decreased(P<0.01);the hepatic steatosis in mice was reduced,the necrotic area was narrowed,the infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced,the arrangement of hepatic cords tended to be regular,collagen deposition was reduced,and the structure of liver lobules was partially restored;the mRNA expressions of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in liver tissue of silibinin group and Kangxian Ruangan Granules medium-dosage group decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the protein expression of ColⅠ,α-SMA,TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad3,p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Kangxian Ruangan Granules can reduce the expressions of fibrosis related proteins,inhibit the deposition of extracellular matrix and improve liver fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.
5.Effects of Kangxian Ruangan Granules on TGF-β1/Smad Signaling Pathway in Mice with Liver Fibrosis
Zhiwei SU ; Yuxue DING ; Jun SUN ; Chunyan JI ; Juan XUE
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(11):84-91
Objective To study the mechanism of Kangxian Ruangan Granules in improving mouse liver fibrosis by regulating TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.Methods Eight out of 50 SPF grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly selected as the normal group,and the remaining mice were intraperitoneally injected with 20%CCl4 olive oil solution(2 mL/kg,3 times a week for 4 weeks)to establish the liver fibrosis model.The successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model group,silibinin group,and Kangxian Ruangan Granules low-,medium-and high-dosage groups using a random number table method,with 8 mice in each group.Each group of Kangxian Ruangan Granules was orally administered at dosages of 1.95,3.90 and 7.80 g/kg;the silibinin group was orally administered at a dosage of 100 mg/kg,while the normal group and model group were given equal volume of physiological saline by gavage,once a day for 8 weeks.The body mass and liver mass of mice were weighed and the liver index was calculated,the contents of serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),hydroxyproline(HYP),hyaluronic acid(HA),type Ⅲ procollagen(PC-Ⅲ),type Ⅳ collagen(ColⅣ)and laminin(LN)were detected by ELISA;liver tissue morphology was observed using HE,Masson and sirius red staining;immunohistochemistry,RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of type Ⅰ collagen(ColⅠ),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway related factors in liver tissue.Results Compared with the normal group,the body mass of the model group mice decreased(P<0.01),while the liver mass and liver index increased(P<0.01);the contents of ALT,AST,HYP,HA,LN,PC-Ⅲ and ColⅣ were increased(P<0.01);the structure of liver lobules was disordered,with diffuse steatosis of liver cells,disordered arrangement of hepatic cords,infiltration of inflammatory cells,and significant fibrosis in the central and portal vein areas of liver lobules;the mRNA expressions of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in liver tissue increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the protein expressions of ColⅠ,α-SMA,TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad3,p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the body mass of mice in silibinin group and each dosage of Kangxian Ruangan Granules increased(P<0.01),while the liver mass and liver index decreased(P<0.01);the contents of ALT,AST,HYP,HA,LN,PC-Ⅲ and ColⅣ in serum decreased(P<0.01);the hepatic steatosis in mice was reduced,the necrotic area was narrowed,the infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced,the arrangement of hepatic cords tended to be regular,collagen deposition was reduced,and the structure of liver lobules was partially restored;the mRNA expressions of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 in liver tissue of silibinin group and Kangxian Ruangan Granules medium-dosage group decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the protein expression of ColⅠ,α-SMA,TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad3,p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Kangxian Ruangan Granules can reduce the expressions of fibrosis related proteins,inhibit the deposition of extracellular matrix and improve liver fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.
6.Clinical features and prognosis of 126 young gastric cancer patients
Yuxue Shi ; Weigang Zhao ; Shaodong Zhong ; Xiping Ding
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2023;58(5):867-871
Objective:
To investigate the clinical features and prognostic factors of gastric cancer patients under the age of 40.
Methods :
The clinical data of 126 young gastric cancer patients under the age of 40 were retrospectively analyzed. Log⁃Rank test and Cox regression model were used to analyze prognostic risk factors ,respectively.
Results:
The average age of gastric cancer patients in our group was 33. 6 years ,and there were more female patients than male patients(female ∶ male = 1. 25 ∶ 1) , Upper abdominal pain and fullness discomfort were the most common clinical manifestations ,and the predominant sites were gastric antrum angle (43. 7% ) and gastric body (42. 9% ) . Lauren type was mainly diffuse type (89. 7% ) , Nakamura type was mainly undifferentiated type (91. 3% ) , and WHO type was the most common type of low⁃adherence carcinoma (46. 8% ) . 71. 4% of patients were diagnosed with advanced 46. 7% , respectively. The results of univariate analysis showed that the levels of serum CA199 ,tumor length ,depth of tumor invasion ,lymphatic metastasis ,vascular invasion ,and surgical approach were risk factors affecting the prognosis
of patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that the levels of serum CA199 ,the depth of tumor invasion and surgical approach were independent prognostic factors.
Conclusion
Young gastric cancer has a high degree of malignancy and strong biological invasiveness. Most patients are diagnosed at the advanced stage of the tumor,and the overall prognosis is poor. The levels of serum CA199 ,the depth of tumor invasion and surgical approach were independent prognostic factors.


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