To explore the clinical efficacy of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction on patients with phlegm turbidity obstruction type of otolithiasis in recovery phase.

A total of 135 patients with otolithiasis of phlegm turbidity obstruction type were selected and classified into control group (otolith manipulative reduction treatment, 68 cases) and treatment group (otolith manipulative reduction treatment plus Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction, 67 cases) by random number table method. The number of cumulative occurrences, duration, treatment effective rate, TCM syndromes scores, dizziness handicap inventory (DHI), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and treatment safety were compared between groups of patients.

The number of cumulative occurrences and duration in the control group were (3.18 ± 0.59) times and (30.51 ± 5.16) d and those in the treatment group were (2.59 ± 0.61) times and (25.69 ± 5.39) d, and the two indexes in the control group were higher than those in the treatment group (t=5.712, 5.308, < 0.001) . The effective rate of treatment in the treatment group with 95. 52% (64/67) was higher than 82.35% (56/68) in the control group (P <0. 05). After treatment, the scores of various TCM syndromes were lower in the treatment group than those in the control group (P <0.05). The scores of items of DHI in the treatment group after treatment were lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). After treatment, the treatment group had lower HAMA scores than the control group (P <0.05). No statistical difference was exhibited in the safety between both groups (P >0.05).

Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction for phlegm turbidity obstruction type of otolithiasis in recovery phase can effectively reduce the number and time of recurrence, enhance the effective rate of treatment, improve the symptoms, relieve the vertigo degree, and alleviate the anxiety of patients, and it will not increase the risk of treatment.

To analyze the therapeutic effect of Yupingfeng Powder combined with modified Baohe Pill in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) of spleen deficiency and dampness excess type in children.

A total of 92 children with AR admitted to Tai'an Maternal and Child Health Hospital from February 2024 to November 2024 were selected and divided into a control group and an observation group according to different treatment methods. There were 45 cases in the control group treated with conventional intervention, and 47 cases in the observation group additionally treated with Yupingfeng Powder combined with modified Baohe Pill. Both groups received 14 days of treatment. The therapeutic effects of the two groups were compared; the levels of interleukin (IL-1β, IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), and immunoglobulin (IgE, IgG) were compared between the two groups; the TCM syndrome scores, nasal airway resistance (NAR), nasal cavity volume at 0~5 cm (NCV), minimal nasal cross-sectional area (NMCA), and nasal respiratory volume within 20 seconds (NS) were observed in both groups; the occurrence of adverse reactions in the two groups was also recorded.

The therapeutic effect of the observation group was superior to that of the control group (P < 0.05). After 14 days of treatment, the levels of interleukin (IL-1β, IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), immunoglobulin (IgE, IgG), and TCM syndrome scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P <0.01). After 14 days of treatment, the NAR level in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P <0.01), while the NCV, NMCA and NS levels were higher than those in the control group (P <0. 01). No severe adverse reactions occurred in either group during the treatment period.

Yupingfeng Powder combined with modified Baohe Pill exerts a significant therapeutic effect in children with AR. It can reduce TCM syndrome scores and inflammatory levels, improve nasal ventilation function, enhance immune status, and has acceptable safety in clinical application.

Depression- and anxiety- like behaviors were evaluated using the sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT), and elevated plus maze (EPM). Microglial activation and inflammatory mediators were assessed by immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and Western blot. Levels of kynurenic acid (KYNA), quinolinic acid (QA), and oxidative stress markers were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and biochemical kits. In addition, QA-treated BV-2 microglial cells were employed to validate the cellular mechanisms. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis was performed to characterize the chemical profile of ZZCD.

ZZCD significantly improved depression- and anxiety- like behaviors in CUMS rats, suppressed M1-type activation and promoted M2 polarization of microglia, corrected the imbalance of KYNA/QA, and alleviated oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) while enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. Moreover, ZZCD inhibited the NF-κB pathway and activated ERK/CREB signaling in both hippocampal tissues and BV-2 cells, accompanied by upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synaptic plasticity-related proteins, including postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and synaptophysin.

ZZCD exerts antidepressant effects through multi-target mechanisms, including regulation of microglial activation, kynurenine pathway balance, oxidative stress reduction, and ERK/CREB pathway activation, which may contribute to the restoration of synaptic plasticity. These findings provide experimental evidence supporting the potential of ZZCD as a traditional Chinese medicine-based intervention for depression.

To investigate the impact of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) comprehensive therapy, grounded in the theoretical framework of lung, spleen, and kidney treatment, on the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines and airway remodeling in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

A total of 180 patients with stable COPD who attended the hospital between March 2023 and December 2024 were selected as study participants. A total of 180 patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were treated at our hospital between January 2022 and September 2023 were recruited as research participants. These patients were allocated into four groups: the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) group (n = 60), which received basic Western medicine treatment combined with a TCM formula for replenishing qi, dredging collaterals, strengthening the spleen, and tonifying the kidney; the Acupoint group (n = 60), which received basic Western medicine treatment combined with acupoint application therapy; the Combined group (n = 60), which received basic Western medicine treatment combined with both the TCM formula and acupoint application therapy. Data collection included pulmonary function indices [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)], COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores, modified British Medical Research Council dyspnea questionnaire (mMRC) scores, serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels. Additionally, the study evaluated the ratio of airway wall thickness to external diameter (T/D), the percentage of airway wall thickness relative to total airway diameter (WA%), airway smooth muscle area (ASM%), emphysema index (LAA%), and the incidence of adverse reactions.

The total efficacy rate in the combined treatment group was 100.00% (60/60), which was significantly higher than that in the TCM group (86.67%, 52/60) and the acupoint therapy group (88.33%, 53/60) (86.67%) and the acupoint therapy group (88.33%) (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the total clinical effective rate between the Chinese Medicine group and the Acupoint Therapy group (P > 0.05). After 9 months of treatment, there were no significant differences in serum IFN-γ, IL-4 levels or the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio between the Chinese medicine group and the acupoint therapy group (P >0.05). At the 9-month mark, serum IFN-γ levels and the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in the Combined Therapy group were significantly higher than those in both the Chinese Medicine group and the Acupoint Therapy group (P < 0.05). At the 9-month mark, serum IL-4 levels in the Combined Therapy group were significantly lower than those in both the Chinese Medicine group and the Acupoint Therapy group (P < 0.05). At 3, 6, and 9 months of treatment, the T/D, WA, ASM, and LAA values in the combined treatment group were significantly lower than those in the Chinese medicine group and the acupoint therapy group (P <0.05). At 3, 6, and 9 months of treatment, there were no significant differences in T/D, WA, ASM, or LAA values between the Chinese medicine group and the acupoint therapy group (P >0.05). No significant difference in clinical efficacy was observed between the TCM group and the acupoint therapy group (P >0.05). Post-treatment analysis revealed no significant differences in serum IFN-γ and IL-4 levels, the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, as well as T/D, WA, ASM, and LAA values between the TCM group and the acupoint therapy group (P > 0.05). In contrast, the combined treatment group exhibited significantly higher post-treatment serum IFN-γ levels and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratios compared to both the TCM and acupoint therapy groups (P <0.05). Additionally, the combined treatment group demonstrated significantly lower post-treatment serum IL-4 levels and T/D, WA, ASM, and LAA values compared to the TCM and acupoint therapy groups (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the three groups was 15.00%, 16.67%, and 5.00%, respectively, with no statistically significant differences observed among the groups (P > 0.05).

Traditional Chinese medicine comprehensive therapy, grounded in the theoretical framework of lung, spleen, and kidney treatment, can regulate the Th1/Th2 immune balance via multiple targets and inhibit airway remodeling. This approach effectively enhances lung function and alleviates clinical symptoms in patients with stable COPD. It demonstrates significant advantages in terms of efficacy stability and safety, thereby exhibiting high application value.

To perform modified Shengma Biejia Decoction combined with Tiaoshen acupuncture therapy for patients with herpes zoster (HZ), and analyze the influence on pain and inflammatory factors.

According to the random number table method, 98 patients with HZ admitted to the hospital from January 2022 to January 2025 were divided into control group (n = 49, Tiaoshen acupuncture method) and combined group (n = 49, modified Shengma Biejia Decoction combined with Tiaoshen acupuncture therapy). The clinical efficacy, pain status [visual analogue scale (VAS)], serum pain mediators [neurotensin (NT), β-endorphin (β-EP), substance P (SP)], serum inflammatory factors [interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] and occurrence of adverse reactions were compared between groups of patients.

Compared with the control group, the combined group had higher total effective rate of treatment (P <0.05). The VAS scores in the combined group after 7 days and 14 days of treatment were lower (P < 0.05), and the levels of serum NT and β-EP were higher (P <0.05) while the level of serum SP was lower (P < 0.05). The combined group had higher IL-2 (P < 0.05), lower levels of IL-6 and TNF-α (P <0.05) and lower total incidence rate of adverse reactions (P < 0.05).

The combination of modified Shengma Biejia Decoction and Tiaoshen acupuncture therapy is effective in the treatment of HZ, and it can effectively relieve the pain, and regulate the levels of pain-related mediators and inflammatory factors, with few adverse reactions.