To explore the clinical efficacy of Huatan Xiaoyu Formula in the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions and its effect on pepsin and circulating tumor cells (CTC).

A total of 110 gastric precancerous lesions patients with syndrome of phlegm-and-blood stasis obstructing collaterals who received treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2022 to January 2024 were randomly divided into two groups: the conventional group (n = 55) and the Huatan Xiaoyu Formula group (n = 55). Compare the efficacy of two groups of patients, including symptom scores, laboratory indicators (including pepsinogen I (PGⅠ), pepsinogen Ⅱ (PGⅡ), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), epidermal growth factor (EGF), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α)), and positive detection rate of CTC before and after treatment. The adverse reactions of the two groups were observed.

The total effective rate of the Huatan Xiaoyu Formula group was higher than that of the conventional group (P <0.05). After treatment, both groups showed a decrease in epigastric fullness, epigastric pain, loose stools, thirst and total score, and the Huatan Xiaoyu Formula group was lower than the conventional group (P <0.05). After treatment, the score of WHOQOL-BREF in both groups was increased, and Huatan Xiaoyu Formula group was higher than that in conventional group (P <0.05). After treatment, the levels of PGⅠ and PGⅠ/Ⅱ in both groups increased, and the Huatan Xiaoyu Formula group was higher than the conventional group (P <0.05); The levels of PGII in both groups decreased, and the group of Huatan Xiaoyu Formula was lower than the conventional group (P <0.05). After treatment, the levels of MDA, TNF-α and EGF in both groups decreased, and the Huatan Xiaoyu Formula group was lower than the conventional group (P <0.05); The levels of SOD in both groups increased, and the Huatan Xiaoyu Formula group was higher than the conventional group (P < 0.05). The positive rate of CTC in the Huatan Xiaoyu Formula group was lower than that in the conventional group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups (P >0.05).

Huatan Xiaoyu Formula can effectively treat gastric precancerous lesions, improve symptom scores, gastrointestinal hormone levels, reduce levels of oxidative stress related factors, body inflammation, and the positive rate of CTC.