Latest ArticlesTo investigate the effects of Kongsheng Zhenzhong Pill Modified Formula on cognitive function, inflammatory factor and Chinese medicine syndrome score in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) with kidney deficiency, phlegm and stasis type.
A retrospective selection was made of 210 inpatients with CSVD (kidney deficiency and phlegm-stasis type) from the Department of Neurology of Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to January 2025, among which 104 patients receiving conventional treatment were included in the basic group and 106 patients who received the modified formula of Kongsheng Zhenzhong Pill Modified Formula on the basis of conventional treatment were included in the study group, and the efficacy of the 2 groups, cognitive function [Montreal Scale (MoCA) and the Simple Mental State Evaluation (MMSE) scale], inflammatory factors (Hypercalcitrance and inflammation factor), and inflammatory factors (Hypercalcitrance and inflammation factor) were compared with those in the other group, inflammatory factors [Hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL) -1β, IL-6] and TCM evidence score.
Among the 210 patients with CSVD (kidney deficiency and phlegm-stasis type) in this study, 106 cases were included in the study group and 104 cases in the control group. The total effective rate of the study group was higher than that of the basic group, and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05). Comparison of various scores of cognitive function before treatment between the two groups showed no significant difference (P >0.05), and the MoCA score and MMSE score of patients in the study group were higher than those in the basic group after treatment (P < 0.05). Comparison of inflammatory factors before treatment between the two groups, there was no significant difference (P >0.05), and the levels of hs-CRP, IL-1β and IL-6 were lower than those of the basic group after treatment in the study group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups when comparing the points of Chinese medicine symptoms before treatment (P > 0.05), and the points of symptoms such as diminished intelligence, phlegm, nausea and epigastric distension, and sticky stools were lower than those of the basic group after the treatment in the research group (P < 0.05).
The application of Kongsheng Zhenzhong Pill Modified Formula for CSVD (kidney deficiency, phlegm and stasis type) patients can achieve significant therapeutic effects, improve cognitive function and Chinese medicine symptoms, and reduce the level of inflammatory factors in the patients. The therapeutic effect is superior to that of conventional treatment alone.
Based on metabolomics methods, this study aims to explore the differential metabolites of different primitive Chinese medicinal herbs (such as Chinese medicinal herb, Chinese medicinal herb, and Chinese medicinal herb) and screen the main metabolites identified by primitive identification.
The chemical composition of different types of Platycodon grandiflorus was analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Principal component analysis, cluster heatmap, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, and other methods were used to compare the differences in metabolites among the three types of Platycodon grandiflorus. Differential metabolites were identified using a database.
A total of 691 compounds were identified in negative ion mode, with lipids, organic acids and their derivatives, and flavonoids being the main metabolites. Differential metabolites were significantly enriched in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. There are a total of 11 differential metabolites among the three groups, with flavonoids (3, 27.27%) and lipids (3, 27.27%) accounting for the largest proportion. Combined with the difference factor, rutin, anthocyanin B2, and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside were identified as the three differential metabolites based on their respective origins.
UPLC-Q-TOF-MS metabolomics technology can elucidate the differences in chemical composition of different basal components of Eucommia ulmoides, providing new ideas for differential analysis of different basal components of Eucommia ulmoides, and also providing references for the quality control, evaluation, and clinical use of medicinal materials of Eucommia ulmoides.
To investigate the distribution of clinical characteristics and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome patterns in patients with diabetes mellitus complicated with osteoporosis (DM-OP), and to explore the associations between TCM syndromes and laboratory indicators, so as to elucidate the intrinsic patterns of the "disease-syndrome-symptom-laboratory indicator" relationship.
Retrospectively collected medical records of patients with diabetes complicated by osteoporosis who were hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology at Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2024. The distribution of TCM syndrome patterns was analyzed, and the associations between different syndromes and general characteristics, comorbidities, symptom profiles, tongue and pulse features, bone mineral density, and laboratory indicators were explored.
Among patients with DM-OP, spleen-kidney deficiency syndrome was the most common pattern, followed by liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome, damp-heat accumulation syndrome, and spleen-stomach qi deficiency syndrome. Significant differences were observed among different TCM syndromes in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, comorbidities, certain symptoms and tongue-pulse features, femoral neck bone mineral density, and selected laboratory indicators. Patients with spleen-stomach qi deficiency syndrome were relatively younger and had higher BMI, whereas those with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome and spleen-kidney deficiency syndrome were older, had lower femoral neck bone mineral density, and showed higher incidences of fractures and chronic kidney disease.
The distribution of TCM syndromes in DM-OP reflects a progressive pathomechanism involving the spleen and kidney. Different TCM syndromes exhibit distinct characteristics in clinical manifestations, comorbidities, bone mineral density, and laboratory indicators.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common chronic condition characterized by structural damage or functional decline of the kidneys due to various causes. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, the primary pathogenesis of CKD is "spleen-kidney qi deficiency and turbid toxin accumulation" and "tonifying qi and dispelling turbidity" is the fundamental treatment principle. Astragali Radix and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma are classically served as a herb pair for "tonifying qi and dispelling turbidity" and are frequently used in CKD treatment. With the rapid advancement of TCM modernization, an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms of herbal comination is of great significance for enriching the scientific connotation of TCM theory and guiding clinical diagnosis and treatment. This article first summarizes the main chemical components and pharmacological effects of Astragali Radix and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma from the perspective of modern medicine. It then analyzes the TCM understanding of their roles in treating CKD. On this basis, integrating modern medical and TCM theories, it discusses the research progress on the Astragali Radix-Rhei Radix et Rhizoma combination in CKD treatment. Furthermore, it highlights current limitations and future research directions, aiming to provide new insights for the clinical management and drug development of CKD.
Treatment with biological agents may lead to eczema-like changes in patients with psoriasis and psoriasis-like changes in patients with eczema, and this phenotypic switching phenomenon is attracting more and more attention, whose molecular biological mechanism may be related to the dysregulation of the Th1/Th2 balance, and for which there is no clear therapeutic solution. Based on the Xuanfu qi fluids theory, this paper describes the evolution of the pathogenesis of psoriasis and eczema. In the course of treatment, the biological agents may improperly regulate qi and fluids transport, which ultimately leads to dampness on the outside and qi and blood dryness on the inside; dryness is present on the surface, while dampness is stagnant on the inside, which is manifested as the phenomenon of phenotypic transformation on the skin. For this complex dry-damp presentation, therapy must combine pungent-moistening agents to unblock the orifices with bland herbs to promote diuresis, thereby normalizing qi fluids dynamics without fostering pathogens or injuring upright qi. An illustrative case is presented to showcase this approach to managing pattern transition.
To investigate the efficacy of modified Sangbaipi Decoction on patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its effect on pulmonary function.
A total of 120 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD admitted to Shunyi Hospital, Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, from June 2023 to June 2025 were selected and randomly divided into a control group (conventional Western medicine treatment) and an observation group (conventional Western medicine + modified Sangbaipi Decoction treatment) with 60 cases each. Observed and compared the TCM Syndrome Score, clinical efficacy, pulmonary function indices, inflammatory factors and the incidence of adverse reactions in both groups.
The total effectiveness rate of the observation group after treatment were higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05) ; The TCM syndrome score subjects group was lower than that of the control group (P <0.05). After treatment, the levels of FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC in both groups were increased and the levels of IL-6, CRP and PCT were decreased (P < 0.05), and the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). There was no apparent difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between both groups (P > 0.05).
Modified Sangbaipi Decoction has significant efficacy in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (Phlegm-heat obstructing lung syndrome), can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and pulmonary function indices, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, and it has a high degree of safety.
To explore the pharmacodynamic effects of Buxu Xiaoke Mixture combined with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats and analyze its possible mechanism of action.
A T2DM rat model was established. Rats in the positive group, 1/4 Buxu Xiaoke Mixture + PQQ group, 1/2 Buxu Xiaoke Mixture + PQQ group, full-dose Buxu Xiaoke Mixture + PQQ group, Buxu Xiaoke Mixture group, and PQQ group were administered for 12 weeks. Blood glucose, urine volume, body weight, food intake, and water intake of rats were detected. ELISA was used to detect blood glucose, blood lipids, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factor-related indicators in rat serum, while HE staining was applied to observe pathological changes in kidney and pancreas tissues.
In the full-dose Buxu Xiaoke Mixture + PQQ group, the FINS level was increased (P <0.01), the HOMA-β level was increased (P < 0.05), the GSP and HOMA-IR levels were decreased (P < 0.01), the TG, TC and LDL-C levels were decreased (P < 0.01), the HDL-C level was increased (P < 0.01), the MDA level was decreased (P <0.01), the SOD and GSH-Px levels were increased (P <0.01), and the IL-1and TNF-α levels were decreased (P <0.01). This treatment could significantly improve glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress in rats, alleviate kidney and pancreatic tissue damage, with a better efficacy than monotherapy and a dose-dependent effect. Analysis showed that the mechanism of action may involve pathways related to inflammation and oxidative stress in T2DM.
The combination of full-dose Buxu Xiaoke Mixture and PQQ can synergistically improve T2DM via multi-targets by increasing GSP and decreasing MDA, TG levels, and the mechanism of action may be related to inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response.
To explore the therapeutic effect of Banxia Gualou Xiebai Decoction on patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary heart disease.
A total of 154 patients with CHD who were treated with PCI in Affiliated Hospital of Gansu Medical College were selected from May 2023 to April 2024, and were randomized into control group (n=77, routine treatment after PCI) and observation group (n = 77, Conventional treatment + Banxia Gualou Xiebai Decoction) by lottery method. The TCM syndromes scores, cardiac function indexes, blood lipid indexes and hemorheological indexes before and after treatment and occurrence of adverse events during treatment were compared between groups.
Compared with the control group, the scores of TCM syndromes in the observation group were lower after treatment (P < 0.05). The LVESV and LVEDP in the observation group after treatment were lower while the LVEF was higher compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The improvements of blood lipid indexes in the observation group were significantly better, which showed that the levels of TC, LDL-C and TG were significantly decreased while the level of HDL-C was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of hemorheology indexes were lower in the observation group after treatment (P < 0.05). No significant difference was exhibited in the total incidence rate of adverse reactions between both groups (P > 0.05).
Banxia Gualou Xiebai Decoction can improve the clinical symptoms, cardiac function, blood lipid levels and hemorheological levels of patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome after PCI for coronary heart disease, and it is safe at the same time.
Endometriosis (EMs) is a chronic inflammatory and estrogen-dependent disease with obvious adverse reactions and a high recurrence rate in clinical treatment. The MAPK signaling pathway plays an important role in the occurrence and development of EMs. Studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine exhibits the characteristics of multiple targets and multiple mechanisms in the treatment of EMs. It can exert an anti-EMs effect by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway, inhibiting the production of inflammatory factors, promoting cell apoptosis, suppressing abnormal proliferation, migration and invasion of EMs, and inhibiting pathological angiogenesis. This article explored the mechanism of action of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine and compound and patent traditional Chinese medicine in treating EMs by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway, with the aim of providing a certain theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of EMs with traditional Chinese medicine.
Based on the theory of "Head qijie", this paper explores the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of post-stroke sequelae. The theory of Head qijie is an important part of acupuncture theory. Zang-fu organs, acupoints, and meridians are connected through the pathway of Qijie, expanding the treatment scope of acupuncture from points to surfaces. The pathological location of post-stroke sequelae is in the head, which is closely related to the theory of Head qijie. Based on the correlation between brain functions, the meridian system, and the etiology and pathogenesis of post-stroke sequelae, this paper integrates traditional medicine theories and modern medical research results, focuses on discussing the action mechanisms of main acupoints of Head qijie, Bladder-associated acupoints, and syndrome-specific acupoints in the treatment of post-stroke sequelae. Guided by this theory, it proposes the principles for selecting acupoints and formulating traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, aiming to guide clinical acupuncture and Chinese materia medica treatment for post-stroke sequelae.
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