1.Clinical Advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Childhood Simple Obesity: Insights from Expert Consensus
Qi ZHANG ; Yingke LIU ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Guichen NI ; Heyin XIAO ; Junhong WANG ; Liqun WU ; Zhanfeng YAN ; Kundi WANG ; Jiajia CHEN ; Hong ZHENG ; Xinying GAO ; Liya WEI ; Qiang HE ; Qian ZHAO ; Huimin SU ; Zhaolan LIU ; Dafeng LONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):238-245
Childhood simple obesity has become a significant public health issue in China. Modern medicine primarily relies on lifestyle interventions and often suffers from poor long-term compliance, while pharmacological options are limited and associated with potential adverse effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history in the prevention and management of this condition, demonstrating eight distinct advantages, including systematic theoretical foundation, diversified therapeutic approaches, definite therapeutic efficacy, high safety profile, good patient compliance, comprehensive intervention strategies, emphasis on prevention, and stepwise treatment protocols. Additionally, TCM is characterized by six distinctive features: the use of natural medicinal substances, non-invasive external therapies, integration of medicinal dietetics, simple exercise regimens, precise syndrome differentiation, and diverse dosage forms. By combining internal and external treatments, TCM facilitates individualized regimen adjustment and holistic regulation, demonstrating remarkable effects in improving obesity-related metabolic indicators, regulating constitutional imbalance, and promoting healthy behaviors. However, challenges remain, such as inconsistent operational standards, insufficient high-quality clinical evidence, and a gap between basic research and clinical application. Future efforts should focus on accelerating the standardization of TCM diagnosis and treatment, conducting multicenter randomized controlled trials, and fostering interdisciplinary integration, so as to enhance the scientific validity and international recognition of TCM in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
2.Pathogenesis Evolution and Stage-based Treatment of Gout: An Exploration Based on Theory of ''Endogenous Dampness Leading to Bi Syndrome''
Yingjie ZHANG ; Fan YANG ; Ruifang YANG ; Zhuoming ZHENG ; Siwei PENG ; Yan XIAO ; Peng CHEN ; Youxin SU ; Jiemei GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):74-83
Gout is a crystal-associated arthropathy caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals and is closely related to purine metabolic disorders and impaired uric acid excretion. It is clinically characterized by hyperuricemia, recurrent joint swelling and pain, and tophus formation. The disease course is divided into three stages: The hyperuricemia stage, acute attack stage, and chronic gouty arthritis stage. Modern medicine has reached a consensus on its pathology, but traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) lacks a systematic stage-specific understanding of gout pathogenesis and its underlying mechanisms, making it difficult to guide precise syndrome differentiation and treatment. By integrating classical TCM theory, clinical practice, and modern medical understanding, and drawing upon descriptions of Bi syndrome caused by endogenous dampness and turbidity in classical texts such as Huangdi Neijing·Ling Shu and Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, our team proposes the pathogenic concept of gout as ''endogenous dampness leading to Bi syndrome'' and the core pathogenesis of ''spleen deficiency with internal retention of dampness-turbidity''. We systematically elucidate the evolution of pathogenesis across different stages and corresponding therapeutic strategies. This study posits that metabolic byproducts such as urate fall under the category of ''endogenous pathogenic dampness-turbidity''. When genetic or dietary factors lead to metabolic abnormalities, it manifests as ''spleen deficiency with impaired transport and transformation'', resulting in ''internal retention of pathogenic dampness-turbidity''. When damp-turbidity stagnates in the blood vessels, serum uric acid levels rise. When it stagnates in the viscera and limbs, monosodium urate crystals deposit in the joints. Triggered by precipitating factors, this leads to gout attacks—the core pathological process of ''endogenous dampness leading to Bi syndrome''. Based on this theory, the stage-specific pathogenic characteristics of gout are proposed: The hyperuricemia stage is characterized by ''spleen deficiency with impaired transport and transformation, internal retention of pathogenic dampness-turbidity'', the acute attack stage is primarily marked by ''dampness-turbidity and static heat obstructing the limbs and joints'', while the chronic stage is defined by ''spleen deficiency with internal retention of pathogenic dampness-turbidity, intermingled with phlegm-stasis binding''. The treatment principle centers on ''strengthening the spleen and draining dampness'' throughout all stages. During the hyperuricemia stage, treatment focuses on ''strengthening the spleen, draining dampness, and eliminating turbidity''. In the acute attack stage, the treatment should "strengthen the spleen, drain dampness, clear heat, eliminate turbidity, alleviate swelling, and relieve pain''. In the chronic stage, the treatments emphasizes to ''strengthen the spleen, drain dampness, transform turbidity, clear heat, resolve phlegm, and activate blood circulation''. This approach has yielded favorable therapeutic outcomes in clinical practice. This theoretical system clarifies the nature of gout as ''spleen deficiency being the root, dampness-turbidity being the secondary manifestation'' and systematically analyzes its pathogenesis evolution process and characteristics. The constructed stage-based treatment protocol has been validated through clinical and basic research, providing systematic theoretical guidance and a practical framework for the precise TCM management of gout, thereby promoting the modernization of TCM pathogenesis theory related to gout.
3.Effect and Action Mechanism of Huazhuo Sanjie Chubi Prescription on Gouty Bone Erosion Model Rats Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Zhuoming ZHENG ; Jun LIU ; Meiling WANG ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Yuwan LI ; Siwei PENG ; Yingjie ZHANG ; Ruifang YANG ; Youxin SU ; Yan XIAO ; Jiemei GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):105-117
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the effect of Huazhuo Sanjie Chubi prescription (HSCD) on the gouty bone erosion model rats and investigate its action mechanism. MethodsThirty-six two-month-old male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group with nine rats and the modeling group with 27 rats. The rats in the modeling group were administered hypoxanthine solution at 300 mg·kg-1·d-1 and potassium oxonate solution at 250 mg·kg-1·d-1, combined with intra-articular injection of 200 μL monosodium urate (MSU) crystal suspension at 25 g·L-1 into the right ankle joint (joint injection once every three days), so as to induce the gouty bone erosion model. After four weeks of modeling, three rats were selected from these two groups to validate the model. The modeled 24 rats were randomly divided into the model group, HSCD group (10.35 g·kg-1·d-1), allopurinol group (20 mg·kg-1·d-1), and inhibitor group (LY294002, 10 mg·kg-1·d-1), with six rats per group. Except for the blank group, rats in all other groups continued to receive hypoxanthine solution at 300 mg·kg-1 and potassium oxonate solution at 250 mg·kg-1 via gavage concurrently with administration to maintain modeling intervention. The rats in the HSCD group and allopurinol group received administration by gavage at the above doses. The rats in the inhibitor group received an intraperitoneal injection at the above dose. The rats in the blank group and model group received saline (10.35 g·kg-1·d-1) by gavage for four consecutive weeks. After administration, ankle joint swelling of the rats in all groups was observed, and the diameters were measured. Bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone surface area to bone volume (BS/BV) were observed and quantitatively analyzed by Micro-CT. Histopathological changes in the ankle joint were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and safranin O-fast green staining. The uric acid in the rats' serum was determined by enzyme colorimetry. The levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and phosphorylated (p)-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) in ankle joint tissues of rats were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA levels of the proteins related to the bone erosion, including RANKL, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase
4.Quality evaluation of Jingtian granule based on fingerprint combined with chemical pattern recognition
Wei ZHAO ; Shuhe CHEN ; Bin YAN ; Qiongfang ZHENG ; Weixin ZHANG ; Yuanming BA
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):300-305
OBJECTIVE To establish the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprint of Jingtian granule, and to evaluate its quality by chemical pattern recognition. METHODS Luna® Omega Polar C18 column (150 mm×2.1 mm, 1.6 μm) was used as the chromatographic column, and acetonitrile-0.2% phosphoric acid solution was used as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.2 mL/min, the column temperature was 30 ℃, and the detection wavelength was 265 nm. With peak 16 as the reference peak, the UPLC fingerprint of Jingtian granule was established by the Similarity Evaluation System of Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2012 edition). The common peaks were identified, the similarity evaluation was carried out, and the ownership of each common peak was confirmed. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) in chemical pattern recognition methods were used to classify 13 batches of samples (S1- S13), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to identify the key components of the differences between different batches of samples. RESULTS RSDs of precision, repeatability and stability of the UPLC method were not more than 4.4%. A total of 25 common peaks were identified in the fingerprints of 13 batches of Jingtian granules. By comparing with the reference substance fingerprint, 10 common peaks were identified, namely peak 3 (hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde), peak 5 (salidroside), peak 8(chlorogenic acid), peak 15 (cinnamic acid), peak 19 (aloe-emodin), peak 20 (ammonium glycyrrhizinate), peak 21 (rhein), peak 23 (emodin), peak 24 (glycyrrhetinic acid), peak 25 (chrysophanol). The similarities of fingerprints of 13 batches of samples were 0.955-0.996. The results of HCA showed that 13 batches of samples could be divided into three categories, among which samples S1, S5, S7, S11-S13 were clustered in one category, S4 and S6 were clustered in one category, S2, S3 and S8-S10 were clustered in one category. PCA results showed that the cumulative variance contribution rate of principal components 1-7 was 92.666%. OPLS-DA further identified 13 differential components, which were mainly derived from Polygonati Rhizoma with wine steaming, Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix Et Rhizoma, prepared Rhei Radix Et Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizome Praeparata Cum Melle. CONCLUSIONS The established UPLC fingerprint of Jingtian granule is simple, stable and reproducible. Combined with the chemical pattern recognition method, it can effectively reveal the overall quality difference between different batches of Jingtian granule. The quality of Polygonati Rhizoma with wine steaming, Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix Et Rhizoma, prepared Rhei Radix Et Rhizoma, Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma, Polyporus, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizome Praeparata Cum Melle is the key to the overall quality of Jingtian granule.
5.Efficacy and safety of cisplatin combined with paclitaxel concurrent radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Tao FENG ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Guanghao ZHENG ; Xiaojuan LV ; Dingding YAN ; Yue FENG ; Hanmei LOU
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2025;36(1):e10-
Objective:
This study aimed to compare outcomes and adverse events of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with cisplatin single-agent chemotherapy vs. CCRT with cisplatin combined with paclitaxel dualagent therapy. The primary outcomes are overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), local recurrence (LR), distant metastasis (DM) and the occurrence of adverse events.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study included patients with FIGO 2009 stage IB1-IVA cervical squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radical CCRT. Patients were divided into groups A and B, treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups after 1:1 proportional propensity score matching.
Results:
Medical records of 1,203 patients were reviewed and 572 patients were finally included for propensity score matching. After propensity score matching, 121 pairs of patients were selected for analysis. The OS, PFS, LR and DM rates were 78.5% and 83.5% (p=0.417), 73.3% and 78.5% (p=0.312), 6.6% and 2.5% (p=0.123), 19% and 15.7% (p=0.497) for groups A and B, respectively. Further subgroup analysis according to stage and lymph node metastatic status showed no difference in survival between the two groups. The incidence of grade 3–4 acute haematological toxicities was different between the two groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Cisplatin combined with paclitaxel CCRT couldn’t improve the survival rates of patients with LACC. However, the hematological toxicity of combination chemotherapy is more severe but controllable. Cisplatin single-agent therapy remains the first choice for CCRT. Further prospective studies are indicated to provide evidence for the efficacy of cisplatin plus paclitaxel in dual-agent concurrent therapy.
6.Atlantodentoplasty using the anterior retropharyngeal approach for treating irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with atlantodental bony obstruction: a retrospective study
Jia SHAO ; Yun Peng HAN ; Yan Zheng GAO ; Kun GAO ; Ke Zheng MAO ; Xiu Ru ZHANG
Asian Spine Journal 2025;19(1):54-63
Methods:
The clinical data of 26 patients diagnosed with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation complicated by atlantodental bony obstruction were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty, followed by posterior occipitocervical fusion. Details including surgical duration and blood loss volume were recorded. Radiographic data such as the anterior atlantodental interval, O–C2 angle, space available for the cord, clivus–canal angle, and cervical medullary angle, and clinical data including the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score were assessed. The fusion time of the grafted bone and the development of complications were examined.
Results:
In patients undergoing anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty, the surgical duration and blood loss volume were 120.1±16.4 minutes and 100.6±33.5 mL, respectively. The anterior atlantodental interval decreased significantly after the surgery (p <0.001). The O–C2 angle, space available for the cord, clivus–canal angle, and cervical medullary angle increased significantly after the surgery (p <0.001). The JOA score during the latest follow-up significantly increased compared with that before the surgery (p <0.001). The improvement rate of the JOA score was 80.8%±18.1%. The fusion time of the grafted bone was 3–8 months, with an average of 5.7±1.5 months. In total, 11 patients presented with postoperative dysphagia and three with irritating cough. However, none of them exhibited other major complications.
Conclusions
Anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty can anatomically reduce the atlantoaxial joint with a satisfactory clinical outcome in patients with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with atlantodental bony obstruction.
7.Bioactive metabolites: A clue to the link between MASLD and CKD?
Wen-Ying CHEN ; Jia-Hui ZHANG ; Li-Li CHEN ; Christopher D. BYRNE ; Giovanni TARGHER ; Liang LUO ; Yan NI ; Ming-Hua ZHENG ; Dan-Qin SUN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):56-73
Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.
8.Establishment of quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker method for content determination of flavonoids and phenolic acids in Perilla frutescens leaves
Danyang LI ; Chao DONG ; Yunfeng ZHENG ; Hui YAN ; Li ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1323-1328
OBJECTIVE To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker (QAMS) method for simultaneous determination of six flavonoids and two phenolic acids in Perilla frutescens leaves using scutellarin and rosmarinic acid as internal reference substances, and apply this method to determine the contents of eight components in 20 batches of P. frutescens leaves samples from different regions. METHODS Scutellarin served as the internal reference to calculate relative correction factors (RCFs) for scutellarin-7-O-diglucuronide, luteolin-7-O-diglucuronide, apigenin-7-O-diglucuronide, luteolin-7-O- β-D-glucuronide and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide. Rosmarinic acid was employed as the internal reference to determine the RCF for caffeic acid. The contents of the above flavonoids and phenolic acids were calculated with QAMS, and compared with the results of external standard method. RESULTS The eight analytes demonstrated excellent linearity within their respective concentration ranges (r≥0.999 0). The mean recovery rates for spiked samples ranged from 95.60% to 102.15%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.72% to 2.70% (n=6). The method exhibited good precision, repeatability, and stability (RSD<2.50%, n=6). Variations in instruments, columns, column temperature, flow rate, and formic acid volume fraction had minimal impact on the RCFs (RSD<3%, n=3). Comparison with the external standard method showed no significant differences in the content of each component across batches, except for caffeic acid in the ZS12 batch (absolute value of RE<5%, n=2). The contents of six CARS-21) flavonoid components in P. frutescens leaves samples varied significantly across different geographic origins, while the content of total flavonoids showed no significant difference. In contrast, the contents of two phenolic acid components and total phenolic acid exhibited significant variation among samples from different regions. CONCLUSIONS The developed QAMS method can simultaneously determine the contents of six flavonoids and two phenolic acids in P. frutescens leaves. It is convenient for detection, highly accurate, and cost-effective. This method is suitable for the quality control of P. frutescens leaves, and the variation of flavonoid and phenolic acid content in samples from different regions provides a reference for the selection of optimal cultivation areas.
9.Status Analysis of Acupoint Selection and Stimulation Parameters Application for Acupuncture Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia
Siyi ZHENG ; Han ZHANG ; Yang YU ; Chuanlong ZHOU ; Yan SHI ; Xiaohu YIN ; Shouhai HONG ; Na NIE ; Jianqiao FANG ; Yi LIANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(12):1293-1299
Based on commonly used acupoints in the clinical acupuncture treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD), this study systematically analyzes the therapeutic differences and synergistic effects between local and distal point selection. It also examines the suitability of primary acupoint selection for different FD subtypes, postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS). The findings suggest that a combination of local and distal acupoints may be more appropriate as primary points for PDS, whereas local acupoints alone may be more suitable for EPS. Additionally, the study explores the impact of various factors, such as stimulation techniques, needling order, intensity or stimulation parameters, and depth, on the efficacy of acupuncture. It concludes that the intrinsic properties of acupoints are the primary determinants of therapeutic direction. Other factors mainly influence the magnitude rather than the direction of the effect. Future research may further investigate how different acupoint combinations, local versus distal, affect the treatment outcomes of FD subtypes, providing new insights for clinical acupuncture prescriptions.
10.Efficacy and safety of cisplatin combined with paclitaxel concurrent radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Tao FENG ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Guanghao ZHENG ; Xiaojuan LV ; Dingding YAN ; Yue FENG ; Hanmei LOU
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2025;36(1):e10-
Objective:
This study aimed to compare outcomes and adverse events of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with cisplatin single-agent chemotherapy vs. CCRT with cisplatin combined with paclitaxel dualagent therapy. The primary outcomes are overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), local recurrence (LR), distant metastasis (DM) and the occurrence of adverse events.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study included patients with FIGO 2009 stage IB1-IVA cervical squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radical CCRT. Patients were divided into groups A and B, treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups after 1:1 proportional propensity score matching.
Results:
Medical records of 1,203 patients were reviewed and 572 patients were finally included for propensity score matching. After propensity score matching, 121 pairs of patients were selected for analysis. The OS, PFS, LR and DM rates were 78.5% and 83.5% (p=0.417), 73.3% and 78.5% (p=0.312), 6.6% and 2.5% (p=0.123), 19% and 15.7% (p=0.497) for groups A and B, respectively. Further subgroup analysis according to stage and lymph node metastatic status showed no difference in survival between the two groups. The incidence of grade 3–4 acute haematological toxicities was different between the two groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Cisplatin combined with paclitaxel CCRT couldn’t improve the survival rates of patients with LACC. However, the hematological toxicity of combination chemotherapy is more severe but controllable. Cisplatin single-agent therapy remains the first choice for CCRT. Further prospective studies are indicated to provide evidence for the efficacy of cisplatin plus paclitaxel in dual-agent concurrent therapy.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail