1.Anti-tumor Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine with Effect of Softening Hardness and Dissipating Mass: A Review
Yue HU ; Linfeng WANG ; Yue LI ; Rui LIU ; Baojin HUA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):276-286
The global burden of malignant tumors keeps increasing, and the increased morbidity and mortality make malignant tumors one of the major challenges to global health. Currently, malignant tumors are mainly managed by surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, which, however, usually cause serious adverse reactions, such as tissue damage, immune function inhibition, and multidrug resistance, affecting the prognosis and quality of life of the patients. Traditional Chinese medicine with low toxic and side effects and multi-target, multi-system, and multi-pathway therapeutic effects has shown positive therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. In particular, the traditional Chinese medicine with the effects of softening hardness and dissipating mass, which contains a variety of active ingredients, have shown strong inhibitory effects on tumor cells. Such medicine can not only directly attack tumor cells and inhibit their proliferation and invasion but also exert therapeutic effects by inducing apoptosis, blocking tumor-related signaling pathways, and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. In addition, traditional Chinese medicine can improve the overall efficacy of cancer treatment by regulating the immune status of the body and reversing the drug resistance of tumor cells. Traditional Chinese medicine can exert the anti-tumor effect by regulating intracellular signaling pathways, which is one of the research hotspots in this field. Signaling pathways such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) play a key role in the formation and development of tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine can regulate the growth, apoptosis, and metabolic process of tumor cells by affecting the activity of these signaling pathways, thus exerting the therapeutic effects on tumors. Based on these mechanisms, a large number of experimental studies and clinical trials have proved that traditional Chinese medicine has broad prospects in anti-tumor treatment. To further verify these research results and provide a basis for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine and the development of new drugs, a systematic review and integrated analysis of the research reports on the anti-tumor effect of traditional Chinese medicine was carried out to summarize the anti-tumor mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine. This review is expected to promote the wide application of traditional Chinese medicine in anti-tumor treatment worldwide and bring more hope and possibility to cancer patients.
2.Oxidative Stress of Qidan Tangshen Granules (芪丹糖肾颗粒) in Treatment of 95 Patients with Early Diabetic Kidney Disease with Qi Deficiency,Blood Stasis,and Kidney Deficiency Syndrome:A Double-Blind,Double-Simulated,Randomized Controlled Trial
Jie ZHANG ; Yilei CONG ; Tengfei WU ; Qin LIU ; Yue YUAN ; Shilei CUI ; Hua YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):695-703
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Qidan Tangshen Granules (芪丹糖肾颗粒, QTG) in the treatment of early diabetic kidney disease (DKD) with qi deficiency, blood stasis, and kidney deficiency syndrome, and to explore its mechanism. MethodsA double-blind, double-simulated method was used to enroll 200 patients with early DKD and qi deficiency, blood stasis, and kidney deficiency syndrome. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the treatment group (100 cases) and the control group (100 cases). The treatment group received QTG plus a valsartan capsule simulant, while the control group received valsartan capsules plus a QTG simulant, both for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). Secondary outcomes included estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (PBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores (including individual symptom scores for fatigue, dull complexion, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, headache and chest pain, irritability, spontaneous sweating, thirst and polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, numbness of the limbs, and the total TCM syndrome score). Oxidative stress markers including serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also assessed. Clinical efficacy and TCM syndrome efficacy were evaluated after treatment, and routine blood tests, urinalysis, and liver function tests were conducted and adverse reaction during the tria was recorded to assess safety. ResultsA total of 191 patients completed the study (95 in the treatment group and 96 in the control group). The treatment group showed significant reductions in UACR, FBG, PBG, and HbA1c levels after treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The single TCM symptom scores except for polyphagia and total TCM syndrome scores significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the control group, the treatment group had signi-ficantly lower UACR, FBG, PBG levels, and total TCM syndrome scores, sinlge symptoms scores except for polyphagia and limb numbness (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among 40 randomly selected patients (21 cases in the treatment group and 19 cases in the control group) for oxidative stress analysis, there were no significant differences in SOD, 3-NT, and 8-OHDG levels before and after treatment within or between groups (P>0.05). The overall effective rate in the treatment group was 64.2% (61/95) and 39.6% (38/96) in the control group, while the TCM syndrome efficacy rates were 80.0% (76/95) and 24.0% (23/96), respectively, with the treatment group showing superior efficacy (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in routine blood tests, urinalysis, or liver function indices before and after treatment in either group (P>0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was 8.4% (8/95) in the treatment group and 9.4% (9/96) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). ConclusionQTG can effectively reduce UACR and blood glucose levels, alleviate clinical symptoms, and improve clinical efficacy in patients with early DKD with qi deficiency, blood stasis, and kidney deficiency syndrome. The treatment is well-tolerated and safe, with no significant impact on oxidative stress markers.
3.Effects of Modified Guomin Decoction (加味过敏煎) on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes and Quality of Life in Patients with Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis of Heart Fire and Spleen Deficiency Pattern:A Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial
Jing NIE ; Rui PANG ; Lingjiao QIAN ; Hua SU ; Yuanwen LI ; Xinyuan WANG ; Jingxiao WANG ; Yi YANG ; Yunong WANG ; Yue LI ; Panpan ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):1031-1037
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Modified Guomin Decoction (加味过敏煎, MGD) in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of heart fire and spleen deficiency, and to explore its possible mechanisms. MethodsIn this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 72 patients with mild to moderate AD and the TCM pattern of heart fire and spleen deficiency were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 36 cases in each group. The treatment group received oral MGD granules combined with topical vitamin E emulsion, while the control group received oral placebo granules combined with topical vitamin E treatment. Both groups were treated twice daily for 4 weeks. Clinical efficacy, TCM syndrome scores, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pruritus, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores, Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and serum biomarkers, including interleukin-33 (IL-33), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were compared before and after treatment. Safety indexes was also assessed. ResultsThe total clinical effective rates were 77.78% (28/36) in the treatment group and 38.89% (14/36) in the control group, with cure rates of 19.44% (7/36) and 2.78% (1/36), respectively. The treatment group showed significantly better clinical outcomes compared to the control group (P<0.05). The treatment group exhibited significant reductions in total TCM syndrome scores, including erythema, edema, papules, scaling, lichenification, pruritus, irritability, insomnia, abdominal distension, and fatigue scores, as well as reductions in VAS, DLQI, SCORAD, and serum IgE and IL-33 levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to the control group, the treatment group had significantly better improvements in all indicators except for insomnia (P<0.05). No adverse events occurred in either group. ConclusionMGD is effective and safe in treating mild to moderate AD patients with heart fire and spleen deficiency pattern. It significantly alleviates pruritus, improves TCM syndromes and quality of life, and enhances clinical efficacy, possibly through modulation of immune responses.
4.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.
5.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.
6.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.
7.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.
8.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.
9.Timosaponin BⅡ Combined with Icariin Maintains Osteoclast-osteoblast Coupling by Restoring Yin-Yang Balance
Zaishi ZHU ; Zeling HUANG ; Weiye CAI ; Hua CHEN ; Boen SONG ; Yue LU ; Qing LU ; Xiaofeng SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):48-57
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of timosaponin BⅡ (TBⅡ) combined with icariin (ICA) on osteoclast (OC)-osteoblast (OB) coupling and decipher the mechanism from the cellular level. MethodsThe cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to assess the effects of different concentrations of TBⅡ and different concentrations of TBⅡ+ICA on the growth of RAW264.7 cells. Soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL) was used to induce the differentiation of RAW264.7 pre-osteoclasts into osteoclasts. The cells were allocated into sRANKL, TBⅡ (1, 5, 10 μmol·L-1), and TBⅡ+ICA groups. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining was performed to assess the effects of TBⅡ and TBⅡ+ICA on osteoclast differentiation. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was conducted to examine the effects of TBⅡ+ICA on the expression of key genes involved in osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast-derived coupling factors. The osteogenic differentiation conditioned medium mixed with osteoclast supernatant was used to induce osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red S staining were employed to determine the effect of TBⅡ+ICA on osteogenic differentiation. Real-time PCR was employed to evaluate the effects of conditioned medium on key genes involved in osteogenic differentiation. ResultsTBⅡ at 1, 5, 10 μmol·L-1 had no significant effect on the cell survival rate. Compared with the sRANKL group, TBⅡ inhibited osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner and achieved the best effect at 10 μmol·L-1 (P<0.01). Compared with the sRANKL group, different concentrations of TBⅡ down-regulated the mRNA levels of osteoclast differentiation-related genes c-Fos, RANK, and RANKL (P<0.05). None of 10 μmol·L-1 TBⅡ, 10 μmol·L-1 TBⅡ+10-4 μmol·L-1 ICA, or 10 μmol·L-1 TBⅡ+10-3 μmol·L-1 ICA affected the viability of RAW264.7 cells. TBⅡ and/or ICA inhibited osteoclast differentiation (P<0.01), and TBⅡ + ICA had the best effect (P<0.01). Compared with the sRANKL group, TBⅡ and/or ICA down-regulated the mRNA levels of c-Fos, RANK, and RANKL (P<0.05). The single application of TBⅡ and ICA had no significant effect on the mRNA levels of Wnt10b, Cthrc1, and C3a, while TBⅡ+ICA exerted up-regulating effects (P<0.05). Compared with those in the blank group, the bone differentiation and mineralization abilities of the normal osteogenic induction group and each osteogenic induction + osteoclast supernatant group were improved (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the normal osteogenic induction group and the osteogenic induction + osteoclast supernatant group showed up-regulated mRNA levels of Runx2 and OCN (P<0.01). ConclusionTBⅡ+ICA can inhibit osteoclast differentiation, maintain the normal osteoclast-osteoblast coupling, and promote osteogenic differentiation.
10.The Role of Golgi Apparatus Homeostasis in Regulating Cell Death and Major Diseases
Xin-Yue CHENG ; Feng-Hua YAO ; Hui ZHANG ; Yong-Ming YAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2051-2067
The Golgi apparatus (GA) is a key membranous organelle in eukaryotic cells, acting as a central component of the endomembrane system. It plays an irreplaceable role in the processing, sorting, trafficking, and modification of proteins and lipids. Under normal conditions, the GA cooperates with other organelles, including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lysosomes, mitochondria, and others, to achieve the precise processing and targeted transport of nearly one-third of intracellular proteins, thereby ensuring normal cellular physiological functions and adaptability to environmental changes. This function relies on Golgi protein quality control (PQC) mechanisms, which recognize and handle misfolded or aberrantly modified proteins by retrograde transport to the ER, proteasomal degradation, or lysosomal clearance, thus preventing the accumulation of toxic proteins. In addition, Golgi-specific autophagy (Golgiphagy), as a selective autophagy mechanism, is also crucial for removing damaged or excess Golgi components and maintaining its structural and functional homeostasis. Under pathological conditions such as oxidative stress and infection, the Golgi apparatus suffers damage and stress, and its homeostatic regulatory network may be disrupted, leading to the accumulation of misfolded proteins, membrane disorganization, and trafficking dysfunction. When the capacity and function of the Golgi fail to meet cellular demands, cells activate a series of adaptive signaling pathways to alleviate Golgi stress and enhance Golgi function. This process reflects the dynamic regulation of Golgi capacity to meet physiological needs. To date, 7 signaling pathways related to the Golgi stress response have been identified in mammalian cells. Although these pathways have different mechanisms, they all help restore Golgi homeostasis and function and are vital for maintaining overall cellular homeostasis. It is noteworthy that the regulation of Golgi homeostasis is closely related to multiple programmed cell death pathways, including apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. Once Golgi function is disrupted, these signaling pathways may induce cell death, ultimately participating in the occurrence and progression of diseases. Studies have shown that Golgi homeostatic imbalance plays an important pathological role in various major diseases. For example, in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), Golgi fragmentation and dysfunction aggravate the abnormal processing of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) and Tau protein, promoting neuronal loss and advancing neurodegenerative processes. In cancer, Golgi homeostatic imbalance is closely associated with increased genomic instability, enhanced tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and increased resistance to cell death, which are important factors in tumor initiation and progression. In infectious diseases, pathogens such as viruses and bacteria hijack the Golgi trafficking system to promote their replication while inducing host defensive cell death responses. This process is also a key mechanism in host-pathogen interactions. This review focuses on the role of the Golgi apparatus in cell death and major diseases, systematically summarizing the Golgi stress response, regulatory mechanisms, and the role of Golgi-specific autophagy in maintaining homeostasis. It emphasizes the signaling regulatory role of the Golgi apparatus in apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. By integrating the latest research progress, it further clarifies the pathological significance of Golgi homeostatic disruption in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, and reveals its potential mechanisms in cellular signal regulation.

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