To observe the efficacy and safety of Dengzhan Shengmai Capsule (灯盏生脉胶囊) combined with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of vascular dementia after cerebral infarction.

A total of 69 patients with vascular dementia after cerebral infarction admitted from May 2021 to December 2023 were included in the study, and the patients were divided into control group and observation group by random number table method. The patients in the control group (34 cases) received conventional clinical treatment plus repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment, and the observation group (35 cases) received combined treatment with Dengzhan Shengmai Capsule on the basis of the treatment in the control group, both groups were treated for 2 months. The efficacy and adverse reactions, the changes in TCM symptom scores, the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and blood flow velocity changes in anterior cerebral artery (ACA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA), left and right vertebral artery (VA), and Hasegawa dementia scale (HDS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores before and after treatment were observed.

The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). No serious adverse reactions were observed in observation group and control group (P>0.05). Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, the levels of NGF, NSE and BDNF, the blood flow velocities of ACA, MCA, PCA and VA, HDS score and MMSE score were not significant between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores, the levels of NGF, NSE and BDNF, the blood flow velocities of ACA, MCA, PCA and VA, HDS score and MMSE score were significantly improved in both groups. These indexes in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05).

Dengzhan Shengmai Capsule combined with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation has good efficacy in the treatment of vascular dementia after cerebral infarction and can improve the symptoms, cognitive function, cerebral blood flow and nerve function of the patients.

To observe the therapeutic effect of Wenzhong Jianpi Decoction (温中健脾汤) on chronic atrophic gastritis (deficiency of spleen and stomach syndrome) and its impact on the levels of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and gastrointestinal hormone endothelin (ET).

Ninety patients with chronic atrophic gastritis with deficiency of spleen and stomach syndrome met the inclusion criteria for this study were randomly divided into two groups using a random number table method. The control group received symptomatic treatment with conventional Western medicine, while the observation group was additionally treated with Wenzhong Jianpi Decoction orally. After 8 weeks of continuous treatment, the pathological scores (atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, chronic inflammation and motility), the gastric mucosal blood flow (anterior and posterior walls of gastric antrum, greater and lesser curvature of gastric antrum) and the serum levels of gastrointestinal hormones (ET, CGRP, EGF) before and after treatment between the two groups were compared, and the total effective rate and drug safety of the two groups were also observed.

After treatment, the scores of atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, chronic inflammation and activity, the serum levels of ET and EGF in both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), which in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the serum levels of CGRP and the blood flow of the anterior and posterior walls of the gastric antrum, the greater curvature of the gastric antrum and the lesser curvature of the gastric antrum in both groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05), which in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group (91.1%, 41/45) was higher than that of the control group (73.3%, 33/45) (P<0.05). There were no adverse reactions related to medication during the treatment in both groups.

The application of Wenzhong Jianpi Decoction can regulate the serum levels of CGRP, EGF and ET in the patients with chronic atrophic gastritis with deficiency of spleen and stomach syndrome and increase the gastric mucosal blood flow, which help to improve gastric pathological status and enhance the treatment effectiveness.

To observe the safety and efficacy of Xuezhikang (血脂康) in combination with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9i) in the treatment of the patients with statin-intolerant coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease).

A total of 104 cases of statin-intolerant coronary heart disease patients admitted to the Department of Cardiology of the Affiliated Hospital of Jilin Medical University from 2023.2 to 2024.2 were selected as the study population, and were divided into the routine group and the Xuezhikang group using the lottery method, and both groups were given coronary heart disease secondary preventive drug treatment, 52 cases in the routine group were given iloyuzumab treatment, 52 cases in the Xuezhikang group were given Xuezhikang Capsule combined with iloyuzumab treatment, and both groups were continuously treated for half a year. The lipid levels of the two groups before treatment, after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment were compared. The levels of PCSK9, cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), cardiac function, 6-minute walk test, glutamic acid aminotransferase (ALT), glutamine transaminase (AST), creatine kinase isoenzymes (CK-MB) and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores in the two groups before treatment and after 6 months of treatment were compared. The cumulative endpoint events in both groups within six months were counted.

There was no difference in the levels of lipid indexes before treatment between the two groups (P>0.05). The levels of total cholesterol (TG), triglyceride (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment in both groups were lower than those before treatment, and the levels of TG, TC and LDL-C in the Xuezhikang group were lower than those of the routine group after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment (P<0.05). Comparison of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment in the two groups showed no difference (P>0.05). Comparison of PCSK9, CETP, ApoB, AST, ALT, and CK-MB levels before treatment between the two groups showed no difference (P>0.05). The levels of PCSK9, ApoB, AST, ALT and CK-MB were lower than those before treatment after 6 months of treatment in both groups, and the levels of PCSK9 and ApoB in the Xuezhikang group were lower than those in the routine group after 6 months of treatment (P<0.05). There was no difference in the levels of CETP, AST, ALT or CK-MB after 6 months of treatment between the two groups (P>0.05). Comparison of cardiac function and 6-minute walk test levels before treatment between the two groups showed no difference (P>0.05). The levels of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac output (CO) and 6-minute walk test were higher in both groups after 6 months of treatment compared with the pre-treatment levels, and the levels of LVEF, CO and 6-minute walk test were higher in the Xuezhikang group than those in the routine group after 6 months of treatment (P<0.05). The levels of left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (LVESD) were lower in both groups after 6 months of treatment than those before treatment, and the levels of LVESD were lower in the Xuezhikang group than those in the routine group after 6 months of treatment (P<0.05). Comparison of cumulative endpoint events between the two groups showed no difference (P>0.05). Before treatment, there was no difference in traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores between the two groups (P>0.05). The scores of the two groups after 6 months of treatment were lower than those before treatment, and the score of the Xuezhikang group was lower than that of the routine group (P<0.05).

Xuezhikang combined with PCSK9 inhibitor for statin-intolerant coronary artery disease can regulate the lipid metabolism and improve the cardiac function with high safety.

To observe the clinical effect of Tiaoying Yiwei Prescription (调营益卫方) combined with XELOX in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.

A total of 60 patients with advanced colorectal cancer admitted from October 2022 to December 2023 were included in this study. The patients were divided into observation group and control group by random number table method, with 30 patients in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with XELOX regimen, while those in the observation group were treated with XELOX regimen+Tiaoying Yiwei Prescription. Before and after treatment, the treatment effect, the TCM symptom scores (fatigue, dry or loose stools, abdominal pain, sallow complexion, and emaciation), the serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA199), carbohydrate antigen (CA242), T lymphocyte subsets and natural killer (NK) cell changes, adverse reactions, bowel cancer survival quality score (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy: Colorectal Cancer, FACT-C4.0 Chinese version) and physical condition Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score changes of two groups were compared.

The total effective rate between the control group and the observation group was significant (46.67% vs 73.33%) (P<0.05). Before treatment, the scores of TCM symptoms (fatigue, dry or loose stools, abdominal pain, sallow complexion, and emaciation), the levels of CEA, CA199, CA242, CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺/CD8⁺, NK indicators, KPS scores, and survival quality scores in each group were not significant (P>0.05). After treatment, the scores of TCM symptoms (fatigue, dry or loose stools, abdominal pain, sallow complexion, and emaciation), the levels of CEA, CA199 and CA242 decreased in each group, while the KPS scores and survival quality scores improved. The scores of TCM symptoms (fatigue, dry or loose stools, abdominal pain, sallow complexion and emaciation), the levels of CEA, CA199 and CA242 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after treatment, while the KPS scores and survival quality scores were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ and NK indicators in the control group decreased, while those in the observation group increased. The comparison of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ and NK indicators between the two groups after treatment showed significance (P<0.05). The incidence of chemotherapy-related adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss and diarrhea was lower in the observation group than that in the control group (P<0.05).

Tiaoying Yiwei Prescription combined with XELOX regimen has significant efficacy in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer, which can improve the clinical symptoms, immune function and quality of life of thr patients, and also reduce some side effects of patients. It is safe and worthy of application.

To investigate the relationship between the inflammatory state of obesity with phlegm-dampness syndrome and the M1 polarization of islet macrophages, as well as the intervention mechanism of Wendan Decoction.

Forty-five SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group and a modeling group. The modeling group was fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to establish an obesity with phlegm-dampness syndrome model. Twenty obese rats were then selected and divided into a model group, a Xuezhikang group, and low-/high-dose Wendan Decoction groups (5 rats each). The blank group (normal group) comprised 5 rats. Each treatment group received corresponding doses via gavage for 6 weeks, while the model and normal groups received equal volumes of distilled water. Body weight, Lee’s index, and lipid levels were measured. ELISA was used to determine pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ) and fasting insulin (FINS) in islet tissue. HE staining and immunohistochemistry were employed to observe islet histopathology and the expression of macrophage marker CD68 (Cluster of Differentiation 68), M1 activation marker CD86 (Cluster of Differentiation 86), and iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) . Western blot was used to detect CD68, CD86, and iNOS protein expression.

After successful modeling, pathological improvements were observed in all treatment groups. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed significant changed in body weight, Lee’s index, lipid levels (elevated TG and LDL-C, decreased HDL-C) (P<0.001 or P<0.01), FINS, HOMA-IR, and TNF-α/IL-6 secretion (P<0.05、P<0.01 or P<0.001) . Compared with the model group, all treatment groups exhibited significant reductions in body weight, obesity rate, TG, FINS, HOMA-IR, and TNF-α/IL-6 secretion (P<0.01、P<0.05 or P<0.001). The high-dose Wendan Decoction group showed significant decreases in Lee’s index and LDL-C (P<0.01 or P<0.05) . Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses showed that the infiltration of CD68, CD86, and iNOS positive cells in the islet interstitium was significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05) ; the integrity of islet tissue was improved in each treatment group, with significantly reduced infiltration of CD68, CD86, and iNOS positive cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01) . Among them, only a small number of positive cells were occasionally observed in the low-/high-dose Wendan Decoction groups, and the number of positive cells was relatively fewer in the Xuezhikang group. Western blot (WB) assay revealed that compared with the normal group, the protein expression levels of CD68, CD86, and iNOS in the islets were significantly elevated in the model group (P<0.000 1) ; compared with the model group, the expression of CD86 and iNOS proteins was significantly reduced in the low-dose Wendan Decoction group (P<0.05 or P<0.001), while the expression of CD68, CD86, and iNOS proteins was significantly decreased in both the high-dose Wendan Decoction group and the Xuezhikang group (P<0.001). The high-dose Wendan Decoction group outperformed the Xuezhikang group in lowering Lee’s index and CD68 protein expression (P<0.05 or P<0.001) .

The inflammatory state of obesity with phlegm-dampness syndrome is closely associated with M1 polarization of islet macrophages (manifested as abnormal expression of CD68⁺, CD86⁺, and iNOS⁺) . Wendan Decoction can significantly improve the inflammatory state of obesity with phlegm-dampness syndrome by regulating M1 polarization of islet macrophages.

To investigate the mechanism of Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma) improving the renal fibrosis induced by adriamycin in rats with blood stasis syndrome based on proteomics.

Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group, model group, Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma) low-dose group, Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma) medium-dose group, Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma) high-dose group and positive control group, with 5 rats in each group. Using LC-MS technology in combination with bioinformatics analysis, protein identification, quantification and differential protein screening were performed on renal tissues. Differential proteins were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.

There were 478 proteins in the model group compared with those in the normal group, of which 146 proteins were up-regulated and 332 proteins were down-regulated. Compared with those in the model group, there were 180 different proteins in the Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma) medium-dose group, including 76 up-regulated and 104 down-regulated proteins. Combined with the above experimental results, further analysis of the Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma) medium-dose group, the model group and the normal group showed that there were 7 differentially expressed proteins regulated by Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma) . Among them, the proteins that Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma) may up-regulate were Gtf2f2 and LOC681410. The possible down-regulated proteins were RT1-Ba, Cnpy4, Pdcd11, Gimap4 and P3h1. KEGG pathway enrichment results showed that the most significant energy pathway was metabolic pathways.

Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma) may play a role in anti-renal fibrosis in adriamycin-induced rat model with blood stasis syndrome through multi-target and multi-pathway by regulating differential expressions of renal tissue proteins Gtf2f2, LOC681410, RT1-Ba, Cnpy4, Pdcd11, Gimap4 and P3h1 and modulating metabolic pathways associated with energy metabolism.

To explore new identification methods and technical means for evaluating the“quality evaluation through morphological identification”of Dianhuangjing (Polygonatum kingianum).

The appearance characteristics of fresh and dried samples were collected, and permanent sections were prepared. The Densenet-121 network model was trained to automatically identify Dianhuangjing (Polygonatum kingianum) slices. Microscopic features were observed and collected under a microscope, and the corresponding image sets were established to train the YOLOv7 model for automatically recognizing and counting the number of vascular bundles and needle crystals in Dianhuangjing (Polygonatum kingianum) microscopic slices.

The Densenet-121 network model achieved an average recognition rate of 90.97% for Dianhuangjing (Polygonatum kingianum) slices. Compared to manual counting, the YOLOv7 model achieved an average accuracy of 98.14% for identifying vascular bundles in Dianhuangjing (Polygonatum kingianum) slices, and an average accuracy of 53.2% for identifying calcium oxalate needle crystals.

The Densenet-121 network model can achieve relatively high and stable automatic identification between Dianhuangjing (Polygonatum kingianum) and adulterants. The YOLOv7 model can effectively count the number of microvascular bundles and needle crystals in Dianhuangjing (Polygonatum kingianum) slices. Taking Dianhuangjing (Polygonatum kingianum) as an example, a new research approach and technical method for rapid and accurate AI identification of traditional Chinese medicinal materials was constructed.