To investigate the anti-osteoporotic effects and mechanisms of Sangjisheng (Taxilli Herba) decoction and its effect on the cold-heat symptoms in osteoporosis models.

After ovariectomy, the female rats were injected with hydrocortisone or intragastric administration of thyroxine to establish the ovariectomized osteoporosis, ovariectomized kidney Yang deficiency osteoporosis, and ovariectomized kidney Yin deficiency osteoporosis models. Each group was administered with Sangjisheng (Taxilli Herba) decoction and the corresponding positive drugs respectively. The general state and rectal temperature of the rats were observed, and hot-cold plate residence time was measured. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the bone pathological status, and Goldner staining was applied to determine the bone morphometric parameters. Bone density was measured using a bone densitometer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (BGP), type I procollagen amino-terminal propeptide (PINP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), type I collagen cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide (CTX-I), estradiol (E₂), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). The levels of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T₃), thyroxine (T₄), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) as well as the levels of plasma cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were also measured.

(1) Sangjisheng (Taxilli Herba) decoction improved the general state of ovariectomized osteoporotic rats, increased the bone density and improved the pathological status of rat femurs. It reduced the levels of BALP, BGP, TRACP-5b, DPD and CTX-I, and increased the levels of E₂, Ca and P. (2) In the ovariectomized kidney Yang deficiency osteoporotic rats, it increased the reduced rectal temperature, decreased the percentage of hot-cold plate residence time, increased the levels of serum T₃, T₄, ACTH, CORT and plasma cAMP content, as well as the cAMP/cGMP ratio. In the kidney Yin deficiency osteoporotic rats, it decreased the elevated rectal temperature, increased the hot-cold plate residence time percentage and inhibited the elevated levels of serum TSH, T₄, ACTH, CORT and plasma cAMP content.

Sangjisheng (Taxilli Herba) possesses anti-osteoporotic effects, and its mechanism of action is to elevate the estrogen content, inhibit the bone resorption, improve the calcium and phosphorus metabolism disorders and promote the bone calcification and formation. Sangjisheng (Taxilli Herba) has inhibitory effects on both kidney Yin deficiency heat signs and kidney Yang deficiency cold symptoms, similar to the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine that is neutral in nature applies to both cold and heat syndromes, consistent with the traditional understanding of Sangjisheng (Taxilli Herba) being neutral in nature. Due to its more pronounced effect on kidney Yin deficiency heat symptoms, its medicinal nature is neutral with a slight cooling bias. The mechanism of Sangjisheng (Taxilli Herba) influence on cold-heat symptoms involves regulating the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, normalizing the suppressed HPT and HPA axes in kidney Yang deficiency syndrome and the hyperactive HPT and HPA axes in kidney Yin deficiency syndrome. It also regulates energy metabolism by modulating cAMP, thereby affecting the cAMP/cGMP ratio.

To analyze the clinical effect of Wuling Powder (五苓散加减) combined with bumetanil on the recurrence of ascites in cirrhosis.

A total of 120 patients with recurrent ascites of cirrhosis admitted to the hospital from January 2021 to January 2024 were included as the study objects. They were divided into two groups by random number table method. Sixty cases in the control group were treated with bumetanil, and the other 60 cases in the observation group were treated with Wuling Powder on this basis. The effect difference, ascites related indicators (abdominal circumference, body mass, 24 h urine volume, depth of ascites dark area), TCMsyndrome scores and liver function index changes of the two groups were compared, and the recurrence was observed after 6 months of treatment.

The total effective rate of the observation group was 95.00% (57/60), which was much higher than that of the control group (81.67%, 49/60), and the difference was significant (P<0.05) . TCMsymptom scores, abdominal circumference, body mass, 24 h urine volume and depth of ascites dark area in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05) . After treatment, the levels of ALT, AST and TBIL were decreased and ALB was increased in both groups, and the improvement in the observation group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05) . After 6 months of treatment, the recurrence rate of ascites in the observation group was 6.67% (4/60), which was much lower than that in the control group (25.0%, 15/60), and the difference between groups was significant (P<0.05) .

Wuling Powder combined with bumetanil can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and signs of ascites and limb edema, accelerate the regression of ascites, promote the recovery of liver function, reduce the recurrence rate of ascites, and plays a positive role in improving the prognosis of patients with cirrhosis.

To evaluate the effect of Zhibitai Capsule (脂必泰胶囊) on the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with metabolic syndrome (MS) of accumulation of phlegm and blood stasis syndrome by observing triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and other indicators.

According to the random number table method, 80 cases of T2DMcomplicated with MS of accumulation of phlegm and blood stasis syndrome were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, with 40 cases in each group. Both groups were given lifestyle intervention and basic treatment such as reducing blood glucose, lowering blood pressure and losing weight according to the specific condition of the patients. The control group was given the basic treatment and atorvastatin calcium tablet for lipid regulation, one tablet orally at bedtime for a total of 8 weeks. The treatment group was supplemented with Zhibitai Capsule, twice a day, 1 capsule for each time, and the course of treatment was 8 weeks. The changes in TCMsyndrome scores, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood glucose after 2 hours of oral glucose tolerance test (2 h BG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1 c), fasting insulin (INS), insulin after 2 hours of oral glucose tolerance test (INS-2 h), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density dilipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), TyG index, homeostasis model IR index (HOMA-IR) of the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.

The total effective rate of the treatment group was 82.5% (33/40) after treatment, which was higher than 57.5% (23/40) of the control group (P<0.05) . After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01). The TCMsyndrome scores of the treatment group after treatment were lower than those of the control group (P<0.01) . After treatment, the levels of FBG, 2 h BG, HBA1 c, SBP, DBP, TC, TG, LDL-C, TyG index and HOMA-IR of both groups were lower than those before. HDL-C was higher than that before treatment (P<0.01). The values of BMI, waist circumference, INS and INS-2 h had no significant difference (P>0.05). The levels of FBG, 2 h BG, HBA1 c, TyG index and HOMA-IR of the treatment group after treatment were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01) . There were no significant differences in BMI, waist circumference, INS, INS-2 h, SBP, DBP, TC, TG, LDL-C or HDL-C compared with those of the control group (P>0.05) .

Zhibitai Capsule can reduce the TCM syndrome scores of T2DM complicated with MS patients, reduce their blood glucose, blood lipids, TyG, HOMA-IR and IR, thereby improving the clinical symptoms and the clinical efficacy of TCMsyndromes.

To study the clinical effect of Longdan Xiegan Decoction (龙胆泻肝汤) in the treatment of bacterial vaginitis based on the mechanism of vaginal flora changes.

Ninety-six patients with bacterial vaginitis treated in the hospital from June 2023 to June 2024 were selected as the research objects. According to the principle of randomization and control, they were divided into observation group and control group, with 48 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with metronidazole combined with Keyangshu Lotion (克痒舒洗液), and the observation group was treated with Longdan Xiegan Decoction on the basis of the control group, 4 weeks as a course of treatment. The efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores (main symptoms of vaginal burning sensation, abnormal leucorrhea, vulva pruritus), vaginal microenvironment status (vaginal pH value, vaginal cleanliness), vaginal flora distribution and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.

The total effective rate of the observation group was 95.83% (46/48), which was significantly higher than 81.25% (39/48) of the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . After treatment, the scores of vaginal burning, leucorrhea abnormality and vulva pruritus in the two groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the scores of the above symptoms in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05) . After treatment, the vaginal pH values of the two groups decreased (P<0.05), and the normal rate of vaginal cleanliness increased (P<0.05). The vaginal pH value of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, and the normal rate of vaginal cleanliness was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05) . After treatment, the distribution of Lactobacillus in the vaginal dominant flora of the two groups increased (P<0.05), and the distribution of Bacteroides, Enterobacter and Candida albicans decreased (P<0.05) . The distribution of Lactobacillus in the observation group was more than that in the control group (P<0.05), while the distribution of Bacteroides, Enterobacter and Candida albicans was less than that in the control group (P<0.05) . There were no serious adverse reactions in both groups.

The effect of Longdan Xiegan Decoction in the treatment of bacterial vaginitis is satisfactory. It can significantly improve the vaginal microenvironment and vaginal flora distribution of the patients, so as to alleviate various syndromes of the body and improve the curative effect. It is a safe and effective medication regimen.

To investigate the effect of Modified Tiaochong Decoction (调冲汤加减) in the treatment of infertility of kidney deficiency and liver depression and its effect on hormone levels of the patients.

From January 2023 to January 2024, 98 cases of infertility patients with kidney deficiency and liver stagnation were selected and simply randomized into groups, with 49 cases in each group. The control group was given conventional western medicine clomiphene, and the observation group was given Tiaochong Decoction combined with conventional western medicine. The clinical efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, hormone levels［follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T) ］, maximum follicle diameter, endometrial thickness, ovulation rate and pregnancy rate of two groups were compared.

The total effective rate of treatment in the observation group was 95.92% (47/49), higher than that in the control group［81.63% (40/49) ］ (P<0.05) . After treatment, the symptoms scores of TCMin the observation group were lower (P<0.05) . At the end of the treatment and 6 months after treatment, the serum levels of FSH, LH and T in the observation group were lower (P<0.05) . The maximum follicular diameter and endometrial thickness of the observation group at the end of treatment and 6 months after treatment were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The ovulation rate and pregnancy rate in the observation group were higher (P<0.05) .

The combination of Modified Tiaochong Decoction combined with conventional western medicine can improve the uterine physiological function and the treatment effect by regulating hormone secretion, relieve the clinical signs of the infertility patients with kidney deficiency and liver depression, and increase the pregnancy rate.

To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with Chaihu Shugan Powder (柴胡疏肝散) and five-tone therapy in the patients with breast hyperplasia of liver depression and Qi stagnation type.

Eighty patients with hyperplasia of mammary glands of liver depression and Qi stagnation type diagnosed and treated in the hospital from April 2021 to December 2023 were selected as the research objects. They were randomly divided into two groups. Forty patients in the control group were treated with Chaihu Shugan Powder and five-tone therapy. Forty patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture on the basis of the control group. The treatment cycle was 2 months. The clinical efficacy, breast mass indexes (mass texture, mass range, mass size), sex hormone index［estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), prolactin (PRL) ］and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.

The markedly effective rate of the observation group was 85.00% (34/40), which was significantly higher than 65.00% (26/40) of the control group (P<0.05) . After treatment, the corresponding scores of tumor grade, tumor range and tumor size in the two groups were significantly decreased, and those in the observation group were lower than those in the control group［ (2.46±0.74) points, (3.11±0.89) points, (3.34±0.43) points vs (2.92±0.65) points, (6.07±1.58) points, (3.90±0.37) points］ (P<0.05) . After treatment, the levels of serum E2 and PRL decreased and the level of P increased in both groups. The levels of serum E2 and PRL in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the level of P was higher than that in the control group［ (64.82±6.31) pg/mL, (0.81±0.17) ng/mL, (16.78±2.49) ng/mL vs (69.53±7.06) pg/mL, (0.69±0.22) ng/mL, (19.05±3.14) ng/mL］ (P<0.05) . No serious adverse reactions occurred in the two groups.

Acupuncture combined with Chaihu Shugan Powder and five-tone therapy has a significant effect on hyperplasia of mammary glands with liver depression and Qi stagnation. It can effectively improve the patients'ultrasound imaging and sex hormone indicators, and has a positive impact.

To explore the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with Modified Shaoyao Gancao Decoction (加味芍药甘草汤) in the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia with syndrome of wind-cold invading superficies.

A total of 96 patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia and syndrome of wind-cold invading superficies who visited Department Neurology of Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital from Dec. 2020 to Nov. 2023 were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups using block randomization. Forty-eight patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture and moxibustion combined with Modified Shaoyao Gancao Decoction, while 48 patients in the control group were treated with carbamazepine. The total effective rate, pain symptoms, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), the improvements in pain-related neuropeptides (substance P and β-endorphin) and adverse events were compared between the two groups.

A total of 94 patients completed the trial, with one dropout in each group. The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.62% (44/47), which was significantly higher than 70.21% (33/47) in the control group (P<0.05) . After treatment, the frequency and duration of pain attacks and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were significantly lower in the observation group (P<0.05), compared to those in the control group. The scores for all dimensions and the total PSQI score were also significantly lower in the observation group than those in the control group (P<0.05) . After treatment, the plasma concentration of substance P in the external jugular vein decreased more significantly in the observation group compared to that of the control group (P<0.05), while the plasma concentration of β-endorphin increased more significantly (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 2.1%, which was significantly lower than 14.6% in the control group (P<0.05). The difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05) .

Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with Modified Shaoyao Gancao Decoction for the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia with wind-cold invading syndrome exhibits high total effectiveness and low incidence of adverse reactions, and then effectively improves the symptoms such as pain and sleep quality.

To investigate the mechanism of Jiawei Guipi Decoction (加味归脾合剂) in regulating the Janus inases 2 (JAK2) /signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway to improve T helper cell 17 (Th17) /regulatory T cells (Treg) immune balance in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) mice.

Sixty female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to six groups: normal group, model group, Jiawei Guipi Decoction low, medium and high dose groups, and prednisone group, with 10 mice in each group. Except for the normal group, the other five groups were administered intraperitoneal injection of MWReg30 antibody to establish the ITP model. After successful modeling, the corresponding treatments were administered. The blank control and model groups were given an equivalent volume of sterile drinking water by gavage, while the Jiawei Guipi Decoction low, medium and high dose groups received the administration with the corresponding doses［13.49, 26.99, 53.97 g/ (kg·d), respectively］. The prednisone group was administered prednisone 9.25 g/ (kg·d). The treatments lasted for 14 consecutive days, and after this period, the samples were collected. The effects of Jiawei Guipi Decoction on platelet count, splenic pathology, the number of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood and spleen, the expression levels of interleukin (IL) -17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-10 in peripheral blood, and the protein expressions of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) and forkhead transcription factor p3 (Foxp3) in the spleen were evaluated.

Compared with those in the normal group, the mice in the model group exhibited a significant decrease in peripheral blood platelet count, marked histopathological alterations in splenic tissue, a reduced number of Treg cells and an increased number of Th17 cells in both peripheral blood and spleen. Furthermore, the expression levels of splenic p-JAK2, p-STAT3 and RORγt protein were significantly up-regulated, accompanied by elevated concentrations of IL-17, IL-21 and IL-22, and a decreased level of IL-10 in peripheral blood (P<0.01) . Compared with the model group, all treatment groups significantly increased the peripheral blood platelet count, improved the pathological status of the spleen, markedly reduced the number of Th17 cells, and elevated the number of Treg cells in both peripheral blood and spleen, substantially decreased the levels of IL-17, IL-21 and IL-22 in peripheral blood and increased the level of IL-10 (P<0.05, P<0.01) . Among the treatment groups, the high-dose group showed superior efficacy compared to the low-dose, medium-dose as well as the prednisone groups (P<0.05) . Moreover, Jiawei Guipi Decoction significantly down-regulated the protein expression levels of splenic p-JAK2, p-STAT3 and RORγt (P<0.05, P<0.01), while up-regulated the protein expression of Foxp3 (P<0.05, P<0.01). The high dose group exhibited a more pronounced reduction in the protein expressions of p-JAK2, p-STAT3 and RORγt compared with the low dose group (P<0.05) .

Jiawei Guipi Decoction exhibits significant therapeutic effects in ITP mice. The mechanism may involve the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, regulation of RORγt and Foxp3 protein expression and modulation of the Th17/Treg balance.