1.Research progress on treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with traditional Chinese medicine based on immunotherapy.
Ying-Ying ZHAO ; Zi-Yu LU ; Sheng-Long LI ; Mian-Hua WU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4415-4424
Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer worldwide, accounting for approximately 80%-85% of all lung cancer cases. Despite the clinical benefits of traditional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, challenges such as the high rate of postoperative recurrence and resistance of some patients to chemotherapy and targeted therapies limit their effectiveness, necessitating the exploration of more effective treatment options. In recent years, immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs), has revolutionized NSCLC treatment and significantly improved the survival prognosis of some patients. However, the efficacy of immunotherapy is limited by tumor immune escape, drug resistance, and immune-related adverse events(irAEs), which have not been effectively addressed. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), as a traditional therapeutic approach, has shown unique advantages in NSCLC treatment, with studies indicating its ability to enhance immune responses, regulate immune checkpoints, and improve the tumor microenvironment(TME), thus boosting the efficacy of immunotherapy. Additionally, the multi-target and multi-pathway effects of TCM help mitigate the side effects of immunotherapy, further improving efficacy and safety. This review summarizes the latest research progress of TCM in NSCLC immunotherapy, focusing on the research results of TCM in enhancing the effect of immunotherapy by regulating immune cells, optimizing the immune microenvironment, and being applied with ICIs, etc. The latest research progress of TCM in alleviating irAEs is also elucidated. The aim is to provide theoretical support for the clinical application of TCM in the prevention and treatment of NSCLC and the research and development of new drugs and promote the optimization and development of combined immunotherapy and TCM treatment models.
Humans
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy*
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Lung Neoplasms/therapy*
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Immunotherapy/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Animals
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Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects*
2.PD-L1 inhibits and regulates liver CD8+IFN-γ+ T cells to damage liver function and participate in atherosclerosis
Xiao LIU ; Xin WU ; Zi-yi ZHEN ; Jia-ying ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Chang CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):638-645
Aim To study the effect of anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody on high-fat diet-induced athero-sclerosis in ApoE-/-mice.Methods Twenty-four ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into the normal group,high-fat group,and high-fat+anti-PD-L1 mAb group.After 70 days,the blood samples were harves-ted.Blood vessels(aortic root to abdominal aorta)and liver from each groups were stained with Oil Red O.Hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE)was employed to vis-ualize structural changes in liver.Enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to detect the serum levels of total cholesterol(CHO),triglyceride(TG),high-density lipoprotein(HDL-c),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-c)and inflammatory factors(IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-1 β).Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of lymphocytes(CD4 and CD8).RT-PCR was utilized to assess the expressions of IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-1 β,CD4 and CD8 in liver.Results Compared with the high-fat group,the treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody promoted vascular wall and liver lipid accumulation,and also up-regulated serum and liver content of cholesterol(CHO),triglyceride(TG)and high-density lipoprotein(HDL-c).Treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody up-regulated the con-tent of alanine aminotransferase(GPT)and aspartate aminotransferase(GOT)in serum and liver,but not al-kaline phosphatase(AKP).ELISA test indicated that treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody stimu-lated the serum level of IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-1 β.Fur-thermore,the mRNA level of IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-1 βin liver was also up-regulated after treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody.With flow cytometry,we observed that treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody promoted hepatic CD8+T and CD8+IFN-γ+T cell activation,but had no effect on CD4+IFN-γ+T cell activation under high-fat feeding conditions.Con-clusions Anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody adminis-tered under high-fat feeding conditions can damage liv-er function and aggravate atherosclerosis by activating liver CD8+IFN-γ+T cells.
3.Effects of Aqueous Extract of Corn Silk Combined with Training on Exercise Function and Glycolipid Metabolism in Mice with Metabolic Syndrome
Yi-lin LIU ; Zi-ling SONG ; Ting ZHOU ; Ji-ping CHEN ; Zi-han LIN ; Yu-xuan ZHANG ; Ji-qiang ZENG ; Shan-rong ZHANG ; Zhi-peng WU ; Chen LU ; Ying ZHU
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(15):2411-2420
Objective:To investigate the effects of combination therapy with aqueous extract of corn silk(CS)and training on exercise capacity and glycolipid metabolism in mice with metabolic syndrome(MS).Methods:In this study,db/db mice were used as the animal model of MS.The mice were administered aqueous extract of CS via gavage and subjected to different intensities of training for 12 weeks(3 months).The specific experimental design was as follows:24 db/db mice were randomly divided into four groups on average:negative control group(NC),aqueous extract of CS group(CS),aqueous extract of CS+moderate-intensity training group(CS+MT),and CS aqueous extract of CS+high-intensity training group(CS+HT).The maximum running speed,forelimb grip strength,body weight and fasting blood glucose of mice were measured before and after treatment.After the intervention,oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)and insulin tolerance test(ITT)were conducted to assess glucose metabolism,while serum triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels were measured to evaluate lipid metabolism.Results:After 3 months of intervention,there were significant differences in the maximum running speed and forelimb grip strength among the four groups(P<0.05).The maximum running speed and forelimb grip strength of CS group,CS+MT group and CS+HT group were higher than those of NC group(P<0.05).The CS+MT group exhibited higher forelimb grip strength,and the CS+HT group showed higher maximum running speed and forelimb grip strength compared to the CS group(P<0.05),while no significant difference was found between the CS+MT and CS+HT groups(P>0.05).Significant differences in body weight were observed among the four groups after 3 months of intervention(P<0.05).Specifically,the CS+MT and CS+HT groups exhibited significantly lower body weight compared to both the NC and CS groups(P<0.05),with the CS+MT group having the lowest body weight(P<0.05).Fasting blood glucose levels also differed significantly among the groups after 2 and 3 months of intervention(P<0.05).The CS,CS+MT,and CS+HT groups had lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to the NC group(P<0.05),with the CS+MT and CS+HT groups showing the lowest levels(P<0.05).No significant difference was found between the CS+MT and CS+HT groups(P>0.05).After 3 months of intervention,significant differences in the area under the curve(AUC)of OGTT and ITT were observed among the four groups(P<0.05).The AUC of OGTT and ITT were significantly lower in the CS,CS+MT,and CS+HT groups compared to the NC group(P<0.05).The CS+MT and CS+HT groups exhibited the lowest AUC values for both OGTT and ITT(P<0.05),with the CS+MT group showing the lowest AUC for OGTT(P<0.05).Significant differences in serum lipid levels were observed among the four groups after 3 months of intervention(P<0.05).TG,TC,and LDL-C levels were significantly lower,while HDL-C levels were higher in the CS,CS+MT,and CS+HT groups compared to the NC group(P<0.05).The CS+MT group had the lowest TG levels and the highest HDL-C levels compared to the CS+HT group(P<0.05),with no significant differences in TC and LDL-C levels between these two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Aqueous extract of CS combined with different intensity training can significantly improve the exercise capacity and glycolipid metabolism of MS mice and reduce body weight,especially CS combined with MT treatment is more effective in improving lipid metabolism.In addition,when combined with HT,aqueous extract of CS can also play an auxiliary role in reducing the side effects of high-intensity exercise and improving the therapeutic effect.
4.Tanshinone ⅡA regulates cuproptosis-related proteins and affects lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory damage in H9c2 cardiomyocytes
Zi-hao XIE ; Hong-chun HU ; Hong-juan YAN ; Hua-ying WU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2275-2282
Aim To establish a lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory injury model in H9c2 cardiomyocytes,and to investigate the anti-inflammato-ry effects of tanshinone ⅡA(Tan ⅡA)and its influ-ence on cuproptosis.Methods Cell viability was de-tected by CCK-8 method.The mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),interleukin-1 beta(IL-1β),and interleukin-6(IL-6)were meas-ured by RT-qPCR.Intracellular copper ion levels were detected via colorimetry.The protein expression levels of cuproptosis-related markers(CTR1,FDX1,DLAT,PD H α1)were determined using Western blot and im-munofluorescence techniques.Results Tan ⅡA sig-nificantly inhibited LPS-induced upregulation of in-flammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6)and Cu+accumulation in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.Moreover,Tan ⅡA reversed the exacerbated inflammatory re-sponse and elevated Cu+levels induced by the combi-nation of LPS and the copper ionophore Elesclomol-Cu(Ⅱ).Additionally,Tan ⅡA markedly downregulated the protein expression of CTR1,FDX1,DLAT,and PDHα1.Conclusion Tan ⅡA alleviates LPS-in-duced inflammatory injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes by regulating intracellular Cu+levels and the expression of cuproptosis-related proteins.
5.Water extract of Rehmannia glutinosa improves bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and its metabolic mechanism
Zi-yu ZHANG ; Meng-nan ZENG ; Peng-li GUO ; Yu-han ZHANG ; Xiang-da LI ; Yan-xing WU ; Shuang-ying FU ; Zi-chang LIAN ; Wei-sheng FENG ; Xiao-ke ZHENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2315-2325
Aim To investigate the intervention effect of Rehmannia radix water extract on bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice combined with metabolomics and to reveal the potential mechanism,in order to provide new ideas for clinical treatment of pul-monary fibrosis.Methods Male C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into the control group,model group,pirfenidone group(positive control,PFD,270 mg·kg-1),and low dose(DH-L,4.55 g·kg-1)group,medium dose(DH-M,9.1 g·kg-1)group and high dose(DH-H,18.2 g·kg-1)group of Rehman-nia.Except for the control group,BLM(5 mg·kg-1)was instilled into the trachea to establish the model of pulmonary fibrosis in the other groups.The survival rate,lung index and blood oxygen saturation of mice in each group were evaluated.HE and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue.WBP was used to detect lung function.Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of primary lung cells,ROS and immune cells.ELISA was used to detect the levels of fibrosis markers and inflammatory factors(α-SMA,collagen Ⅰ,collagen Ⅲ,TGF-β1,TNF-α,IL-1 β,and IL-6).Biochemical method was employed to detect the contents of GSH-Px,T-SOD and MDA.Liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer(LC-MS)metabolomics was used to analyze the changes of serum metabolic profile.Results Water extract of Re-hmannia significantly increased the survival rate,oxy-gen saturation and lung function of mice with pulmona-ry fibrosis,reduced the lung coefficient,ameliorated pathological damage and collagen deposition in lung tissue,reduced the levels of apoptosis and oxidative stress,and down-regulated the levels of inflammatory factors in lung tissue.It regulated the levels of metabo-lites such as bile acid metabolism,sphingolipid metabo-lism,and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism.Conclu-sions Water extract of Rehmannia inhibits lung injury and collagen deposition in mice with pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting inflammatory response,which may be a-chieved by regulating the levels of inflammatory factors through the metabolic pathways of bile acid and sphin-golipid.
6.Tanshinone ⅡA regulates cuproptosis-related proteins and affects lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory damage in H9c2 cardiomyocytes
Zi-hao XIE ; Hong-chun HU ; Hong-juan YAN ; Hua-ying WU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2275-2282
Aim To establish a lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory injury model in H9c2 cardiomyocytes,and to investigate the anti-inflammato-ry effects of tanshinone ⅡA(Tan ⅡA)and its influ-ence on cuproptosis.Methods Cell viability was de-tected by CCK-8 method.The mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),interleukin-1 beta(IL-1β),and interleukin-6(IL-6)were meas-ured by RT-qPCR.Intracellular copper ion levels were detected via colorimetry.The protein expression levels of cuproptosis-related markers(CTR1,FDX1,DLAT,PD H α1)were determined using Western blot and im-munofluorescence techniques.Results Tan ⅡA sig-nificantly inhibited LPS-induced upregulation of in-flammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6)and Cu+accumulation in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.Moreover,Tan ⅡA reversed the exacerbated inflammatory re-sponse and elevated Cu+levels induced by the combi-nation of LPS and the copper ionophore Elesclomol-Cu(Ⅱ).Additionally,Tan ⅡA markedly downregulated the protein expression of CTR1,FDX1,DLAT,and PDHα1.Conclusion Tan ⅡA alleviates LPS-in-duced inflammatory injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes by regulating intracellular Cu+levels and the expression of cuproptosis-related proteins.
7.Water extract of Rehmannia glutinosa improves bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and its metabolic mechanism
Zi-yu ZHANG ; Meng-nan ZENG ; Peng-li GUO ; Yu-han ZHANG ; Xiang-da LI ; Yan-xing WU ; Shuang-ying FU ; Zi-chang LIAN ; Wei-sheng FENG ; Xiao-ke ZHENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2315-2325
Aim To investigate the intervention effect of Rehmannia radix water extract on bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice combined with metabolomics and to reveal the potential mechanism,in order to provide new ideas for clinical treatment of pul-monary fibrosis.Methods Male C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into the control group,model group,pirfenidone group(positive control,PFD,270 mg·kg-1),and low dose(DH-L,4.55 g·kg-1)group,medium dose(DH-M,9.1 g·kg-1)group and high dose(DH-H,18.2 g·kg-1)group of Rehman-nia.Except for the control group,BLM(5 mg·kg-1)was instilled into the trachea to establish the model of pulmonary fibrosis in the other groups.The survival rate,lung index and blood oxygen saturation of mice in each group were evaluated.HE and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue.WBP was used to detect lung function.Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of primary lung cells,ROS and immune cells.ELISA was used to detect the levels of fibrosis markers and inflammatory factors(α-SMA,collagen Ⅰ,collagen Ⅲ,TGF-β1,TNF-α,IL-1 β,and IL-6).Biochemical method was employed to detect the contents of GSH-Px,T-SOD and MDA.Liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer(LC-MS)metabolomics was used to analyze the changes of serum metabolic profile.Results Water extract of Re-hmannia significantly increased the survival rate,oxy-gen saturation and lung function of mice with pulmona-ry fibrosis,reduced the lung coefficient,ameliorated pathological damage and collagen deposition in lung tissue,reduced the levels of apoptosis and oxidative stress,and down-regulated the levels of inflammatory factors in lung tissue.It regulated the levels of metabo-lites such as bile acid metabolism,sphingolipid metabo-lism,and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism.Conclu-sions Water extract of Rehmannia inhibits lung injury and collagen deposition in mice with pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting inflammatory response,which may be a-chieved by regulating the levels of inflammatory factors through the metabolic pathways of bile acid and sphin-golipid.
8.Review of application scope of mobile medical devices combined with EMA method for lung cancer patient caring
Zi-dan WANG ; Hong-yue WU ; Bing LI ; Xin-tong ZHENG ; Jun-ling LIU ; Ying-nan ZHAO ; Yan LI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(10):71-77
Relevant literature on mobile medical devices combined with the ecological momentary assessment(EMA)method applied to lung cancer patient caring was collected from some databases of CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,China Biomedical Literature Database,PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,CINAHL and Web of Science.The method of scoping review was used to sort out the general characteristics of the included literature,types and application of mobile medical devices,assessment content elements and outcome indicators.The feasibility and validity of mobile medical devices combined with the EMA method for the symptom assessment of lung cancer patients were described,whose advantages in monitoring during lung cancer caring and application prospects were elaborated.The problems of mobile medical devices during practical application were pointed out and some countermeasures were put forward accordingly.References were provided for personalized remote caring of lung cancer patients and development of intelligent multi-modal mobile devices.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):71-77]
9.Clinical and pathological characteristics of adrenal cortical carcinoma:a single-center retrospective study
Qing-Zheng WU ; Ming-Xiu YANG ; Bing LI ; Shu-Ying LI ; Zi-Xin GUO ; Yi-Jun LI ; Ya-Qi YIN ; Ya-Jing WANG ; Kang CHEN ; Li ZANG ; Wei-Jun GU ; Yi-Ming MU ; Zhao-Hui LYU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(7):786-792
Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of adrenal cortical carcinoma(ACC),compare differences between hypercortisolism and non-functional ACC,and assess the diagnostic value of indicators such as Ki-67 index.Methods The clinical data of 57 ACC patients admitted to the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to March 2025 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the results of endocrine function assessment,47 of these patients were divided into hypercortisolism group(n=19)and non-functional group(n=28).The differences in clinical and pathological characteristics between the two groups were compared,and non-parametric tests and Spearman correlation analysis were used to explore the relationship between Ki-67 index and tumor stage as well as imaging features.Results Among the 57 patients,there were 20 males and 37 females,with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.85.The age ranged from 16 to 76 years,and the age at diagnosis was(48.7±13.3)years.The tumor diameter was(10.53±4.14)cm.The tumors were located on the right side in 12 cases(21.1%),on the left side in 34 cases(59.6%),and bilaterally in 11 cases(19.3%).Among them,16 cases(28.1%)were complicated with glucose metabolism disorders,31 cases(54.3%)had hypertension,and 20 cases(35.1%)had hypokalemia.According to ENSAT staging,there were 0 cases in stage Ⅰ,15 cases(26.3%)in stage Ⅱ,24 cases(42.1%)in stage Ⅲ,and 18 cases(31.6%)in stage Ⅳ.Endocrine function assessment was completed in 47 of the 57 patients,including 28 cases(59.6%)of non-functional ACC and 19 cases(40.4%)of hypercortisolism(including 1 case of hypercortisolism combined with increased sex hormone secretion).Compared with non-functional group,hypercortisolism group had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension(P=0.014),later ENSAT stage(P=0.010),and a higher proportion of hypervascularization(P=0.048).The median Ki-67 index was 20%(10%-40%),showing no significant correlation with either the maximum tumor diameter or SUVmax value,but it was related to ENSAT staging,with Ki-67 index in stageⅣ patients being significantly higher than that in stage Ⅱ(P=0.032).Immunohistochemistry results showed that the positive rate of Inhibin-α was 84.8%,and the positive rate of Melan-A was 40.9%.Conclusions ACC is a rare malignant endocrine tumor.ACC patients with hypercortisolism are more likely to be complicated with hypertension,have later staging,and more common hypervascular manifestations.Clinically,their endocrine function should be prioritized for assessment,and more active treatment strategies should be adopted.Diagnosis should be combined with imaging characteristics(such as hypervascularization)and immunohistochemical indicators(Ki-67,Inhibin-α,Melan-A).The significant increase in Ki-67 is in the advanced stage can serve as an important prognostic indicator to guide individualized treatment.
10.Review of application scope of mobile medical devices combined with EMA method for lung cancer patient caring
Zi-dan WANG ; Hong-yue WU ; Bing LI ; Xin-tong ZHENG ; Jun-ling LIU ; Ying-nan ZHAO ; Yan LI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(10):71-77
Relevant literature on mobile medical devices combined with the ecological momentary assessment(EMA)method applied to lung cancer patient caring was collected from some databases of CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,China Biomedical Literature Database,PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,CINAHL and Web of Science.The method of scoping review was used to sort out the general characteristics of the included literature,types and application of mobile medical devices,assessment content elements and outcome indicators.The feasibility and validity of mobile medical devices combined with the EMA method for the symptom assessment of lung cancer patients were described,whose advantages in monitoring during lung cancer caring and application prospects were elaborated.The problems of mobile medical devices during practical application were pointed out and some countermeasures were put forward accordingly.References were provided for personalized remote caring of lung cancer patients and development of intelligent multi-modal mobile devices.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):71-77]

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