1.Sanren Runchang Formula Regulates Brain-gut Axis to Treat IBS-C: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Teng LI ; Xinrong FAN ; He YAN ; Zhuozhi GONG ; Mengxi YAO ; Na YANG ; Yuhan WANG ; Huikai HU ; Wei WEI ; Tao LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):154-161
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Sanren Runchang formula in treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) by regulating the brain-gut axis and the effects of the formula on serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and substance P (SP). MethodsA randomized controlled design was adopted, and 72 IBS-C patients meeting Rome Ⅳ criteria were randomized into observation and control groups (36 cases).The observation group received Sanren Runchang formula granules twice daily, and the control group received lactulose oral solution daily for 4 weeks. IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), IBS Quality of Life Scale (IBS-QOL), and Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) were used to assess clinical symptoms, and bowel movement frequency was recorded. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were employed to evaluate psychological status. ELISA was employed to measure the serum levels of 5-HT, VIP, and SP. ResultsThe total response rate in the observation group was 91.67% (33/36), which was higher than that (77.78%, 28/36) in the control group (χ2=4.50, P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed increased defecation frequency and BSFS scores, decreased IBS-SSS total score, abdominal pain and bloating scores, IBS-QOL health anxiety, anxiety, food avoidance, and behavioral disorders scores, SAS and SDS scores, serum 5-HT and VIP levels, and increased SP levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the observation group showed more significant changes in the indicators above than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The SP level showed no significant difference between the two groups. During the 4-week follow-up, the recurrence rate was 5.88% in the observation group and 31.25% in the control group. No adverse events occurred in observation group, and 2 cases of mild diarrhea occurred in the control group. ConclusionSanren Runchang formula demonstrated definitive efficacy in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms and improving the psychological status and quality of life in IBS-C patients, with a low recurrence rate. The formula can regulate serum levels of neurotransmitters such as 5-HT and VIP, suggesting its potential regulatory effect on the brain-gut axis through modulating neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. However, its complete mechanism of action requires further investigation through detection of additional brain-gut axis-related biomarkers.
2.Discussion on the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and premature ejaculation from 5-HT and prediction of natural drugs
Zhuozhi GONG ; Qianying WANG ; He YAN ; Tao LIU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(1):84-89
Objective:To explore the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and premature ejaculation (PE) from 5-HT; To predict the natural drugs with therapeutic effect.Methods:Targets related to IBS and PE were screened in the GeneCards, DisGeNET, TTD, OMIM, DrugBank databases. After removing duplicates, the two disease targets were intersected and imported into STRING platform, and the protein interaction network between IBS and PE targets related to 5-HT receptor was obtained. GO enrichment analysis was carried out on the intersected targets by R language, and Coremine Medical platform was used for predicting natural drugs.Results:5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C and 5-HT3A were the common targets related to 5-HT in IBS and PE. GO function enrichment yielded 250 gene function related information, mainly enriched in serotonin receptor signaling pathways, cell response to dopamine, and response to dopamine. The prediction of natural drugs obtained 14 kinds of Chinese materia medica, including Nelumbinis Semen, Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus, Nelumbinis Receptaculum, Nelumbinis Stamen, Nelumbinis Folium, Nelumbinis Plumula, Ginkgo Semen, and Ginkgo Folium.Conclusions:Abnormal 5-HT levels can affect gastrointestinal motility, ejaculation latency, and glans sensitivity. Elevated central 5-HT levels are a common pathogenesis of IBS and PE. The interaction between receptors such as 5-HT1A and 5-HT3A and 5-HT can regulate gastrointestinal motility and secretion activities, intestinal nervous system, and reduce intestinal hypersensitivity; increasing the sensitivity of the 5-HT1A receptor can reduce the ejaculation threshold and promote ejaculation, while increasing the sensitivity of the 5-HT2C receptor can increase the ejaculation threshold.
3.Discussion on the pathogenesis of colorectal polyp from "damp pathogen causing diseases"
Zikuan SUN ; Xiaolan SU ; Yanran BAN ; Zhuozhi GONG ; Kaixuan ZHANG ; Lang XIANG ; Mengxi YAO ; He YAN ; Wei WEI
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(3):288-292
The clinical manifestations of colorectal polyps are consistent with the characteristics of dampness, stickiness and heaviness. The TCM constitutions in the prone population are mostly related to dampness. The pathological changes of intestinal flora imbalance, intestinal micro inflammation, neuroendocrine immune network and abnormal aquaporin in colorectal polyps are consistent with the research results of modern mechanism of dampness pathogen. This article believed that the TCM pathogenesis of colorectal polyps caused by damp pathogen is the accumulation of spleen deficiency and dampness caused by improper diet, poor emotion and other factors, and the interweaving of various diseases and pathogens to form tangible foreign bodies. According to the pathogenic characteristics of damp pathogen and the pathogenic factors of colorectal polyps, the influence of damp pathogen on the pathogenesis of colorectal polyps was discussed, in order to provide an effective TCM theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal polyps in clinic.

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