Retrospective cohort study on the postoperative survival rate enhancement of patients with colorectal cancer using three traditional Chinese medicine formulations:evidence from 1,361 cases

Background:Prior studies have affirmed the safety and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine in treating colorectal cancer patients.However,definitive evidence regarding whether traditional Chinese medicine can significantly enhance the survival of colorectal cancer patients remains elusive.This study seeks to provide conclusive insights by examining the postoperative administration of Xihuang capsules,Pingxiao capsules,and Zilongjin tablets and its impact on the 5-year overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)rates among colorectal cancer patients.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted,involving 1,361 patients selected from the medical center.This retrospective study was carried out at a medical center in Tianjin,China.We assessed differences in postoperative OS and DFS between the control group and the medication group using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards modeling.Additionally,propensity score matching was used to mitigate imbalances in baseline characteristics among patients.Results:Before propensity score matching,Xihuang capsules could prolong the 5-year OS(79.9%vs.81.4%,P=0.0480)and 5-year DFS(74.9%vs.79.5%,P=0.0046)of patients after surgery.Similar conclusions were obtained after propensity score matching:OS(74.8%vs.78.3%,P=0.0084),DFS(72.7%vs.78.9%,P=0.008).Patients taking Pingxiao capsules showed improved 5-year OS(77.2%vs.84.0%,P=0.0383)and 5-year DFS(69.9%vs.80.0%,P=0.0157)after propensity score matching.Patients taking Zilongjin tablets showed improvement in the 2-year OS(84.2%vs.93.1%,P=0.0390)and 1-year DFS(88.2%vs.92.0%,P=0.0320)after propensity score matching.Conclusion:Xihuang capsules and Pingxiao capsules significantly improved the 5-year OS and DFS of patients with colorectal cancer after surgery.Zilongjin tablets showed improvement in the 2-year OS and 1-year DFS after surgery for patients.

The basic core traditional C hinese medicine for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and its active mechanisms

Background:COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on human health,economies,societies,and livelihoods around the world.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)formulae have played an important role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.WHO evaluated the role of TCM in treating of COVID-19 and encouraged other countries to promote the use of TCM formulae.However,the key is to find the basic core traditional Chinese medicine(BC-TCM)among those formulae.Methods:For the first time,we mined the data of TCM formulae in CNIPA and analyzed herb characteristics and association rules.We then determined the BC-TCM and screened main compounds and therapeutic targets.Finally,the potential molecular mechanisms were explored by using enrichment analyses and molecular docking.Results:This study screened 123 patented TCM formulae,including 312 herbs.According to frequency statistics and association rules,nine herbs(Gan Cao,Jin Yinhua,Guang Huoxiang,Fu Ling,Huang Qi,Jie Geng,Lian Qiao,Cang Zhu,Ku Xingren)were selected as the BC-TCM.The BC-TCM involved 166 main compounds and 48 therapeutic targets.The active compounds Hederagenin,Spinasterol,Beta-sitosterol,and Liquiritin had high binding activity to the COVID-19 targets 3CL,ACE2,and core targets RELA,HSP90AA1,STAT3,MAPK3,and TP53 according to molecular docking results.Interestingly,Hederagenin might be a potential compound for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.Conclusion:Our research predicted and confirmed the preventive therapeutic effect of BC-TCM on COVID-19.This has the potential to broaden the scope of TCM,guide people in using clinical formulae,and provide valuable insights for future TCM discovery research.

The complex effects of miR-146a in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive dysfunction and behavioral abnormalities.Neuroinflammatory plaques formed through the extracellular deposition of amyloid-βproteins,as well as neurofibrillary tangles formed by the intracellular deposition of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins,comprise two typical pathological features of Alzheimer's disease.Besides symptomatic treatment,there are no effective therapies for delaying Alzheimer's disease progression.MicroRNAs(miR)are small,non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression at the transcriptional and translational levels and play important roles in multiple physiological and pathological processes.Indeed,miR-146a,a NF-κB-regulated gene,has been extensively implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease through several pathways.Research has demonstrated substantial dysregulation of miR-146a both during the initial phases and throughout the progression of this disorder.Mi R-146a is believed to reduce amyloid-βdeposition and tau protein hyperphosphorylation through the TLR/IRAK1/TRAF6 pathway;however,there is also evidence supporting that it can promote these processes through many other pathways,thus exacerbating the pathological manifestations of Alzheimer's disease.It has been widely reported that miR-146a mediates synaptic dysfunction,mitochondrial dysfunction,and neuronal death by targeting m RNAs encoding synapticrelated proteins,mitochondrial-related proteins,and membrane proteins,as well as other mRNAs.Regarding the impact on glial cells,miR-146a also exhibits differential effects.On one hand,it causes widespread and sustained inflammation through certain pathways,while on the other hand,it can reverse the polarization of astrocytes and microglia,alleviate neuroinflammation,and promote oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation,thus maintaining the normal function of the myelin sheath and exerting a protective effect on neurons.In this review,we provide a comprehensive analysis of the involvement of miR-146a in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.We aim to elucidate the relationship between miR-146a and the key pathological manifestations of Alzheimer's disease,such as amyloid-βdeposition,tau protein hyperphosphorylation,neuronal death,mitochondrial dysfunction,synaptic dysfunction,and glial cell dysfunction,as well as summarize recent relevant studies that have highlighted the potential of miR-146a as a clinical diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.

Multi-layered effects of Codonopsis Radix on the immune system

Recent research has highlighted the potential of Codonopsis Radix to modulate the immune system,making it a promising candidate for treating chronic inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases,tumors,and aging.However,because of the complex immune activities of its various components,a comprehensive understanding of Codonopsis Radix immune-regulating properties is still lacking.This knowledge gap hinders its widespread utilization in clinical practice.Therefore,this review aimed to assess the impact of Codonopsis Radix on the immune system and elucidate its underlying mechanisms.Additionally,we compared the immunomodulatory effects of different active ingredients derived from Codonopsis Radix to provide a theoretical basis for future investigations on immunomodulation.

Consumption of sugary beverages,genetic predisposition and the risk of depression:a prospective cohort study

Background The associations between sugary beverages and genetic predisposition to depression risk remain unclear.Aims This study aimed to investigate the associations of sugar-sweetened beverages(SSBs),artificially sweetened beverages(ASBs)and natural juices(NJs)with depression and to assess whether these associations were modified by genetic predisposition.Methods We used data from the UK Biobank of 180599 individuals aged 39-72 years who were depression-free at baseline.Dietary intake of SSBs,ASBs and NJs was accessed by a 24-hour dietary recall between 2009 and 2012.The Polygenic Risk Score for depression was estimated and categorised as low(lowest tertile),intermediate(tertile 2)and high(highest tertile),.Cox proportional hazard and substitution models were conducted to evaluate hazard ratios(HRs)and 95%Cls.Results Over the 12-year follow-up,4915 individuals developed depression.Higher consumption(>2 units/day)of SSBs(HR:1.26,95%CI 1.12 to 1.43)and ASBs(HR:1.40,95%Cl 1.23 to 1.60)were both associated with an increased risk of depression.However,moderate consumption(>0-1 units/day)of NJs was associated with a lower risk of depression(HR:0.89,95%CI 0.83 to 0.95).Furthermore,genetic predisposition did not modify these associations(p interaction>0.05).In substitution models,the HRs for depression risk were 0.94(95%CI 0.89 to 0.99)and 0.89(95%CI 0.85 to 0.94),respectively,when 1 unit/day of SSBs or ASBs was replaced by an equivalent intake of NJs.Conclusions Higher consumption of SSBs and ASBs was associated with an increased risk of depression;in contrast,moderate consumption of NJs was inversely associated with a lower risk of depression.In theory,substituting SSBs and ASBswith NJs would suppose a reduction of depression risk.

Licorice:comprehensive review of its chemical composition,pharmacodynamics,and medicinal value

Licorice,a perennial herb of Leguminosa,is one of the oldest and most widely used herbal medicines worldwide.Its distinct sweet flavor and rich medicinal value make it an integral component of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)formulations,which continue to be widely employed.The main chemical constituents of licorice include triterpenoid saponins,flavonoids,and polysaccharides.Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that various extracts and pure compounds derived from licorice exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,antimicrobial,antiviral,antitumor,immune-regulatory,and neuroprotective activities.The bioactive constituents of licorice offer therapeutic benefits for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,diabetes mellitus,and liver disorders.This comprehensive review discusses the primary chemical constituents of licorice and their pharmacological activities,describes in vivo and in vitro models employed for studying licorice,and its potential targets and mechanisms of action.Furthermore,we discuss the toxicological profile,side effects,dosage recommendations,and clinical applications of licorice.This review aims to establish a foundation for further research on the safe and effective utilization of licorice while facilitating an in-depth exploration of its properties and fostering the development of novel therapeutic agents.

William Morris,Establishing the Foundation for the Advancement of TCM in the US

The interview was conducted on March 2nd, 2023 by Ioannis Solos and Charles Buck. William Morris has sustained practice since 1980. He has served on the California, Texas and Massachusetts Professional Associations, as well as the National Association. He has tendered 20 years of service to the field through academic medicine, earning a master’s degree in medical education to assist in developing Chinese medical doctoral programs and institutional review boards. He earned an OM.D. in 1988, a DAOM in 2002, and a Ph.D. focused on pulse diagnosis as clinical epistemology in 2009. He has published five books, including TCM Case Studies Dermatology, Li Shi-zhen Pulse Studies: An Illustrated Guide, Neoclassical Pulse Diagnosis, Cycles in Medical Astrology, and Transformation: Treating Trauma with Acupuncture and Herbs.

Epigenetic modification of the Wnt signaling pathway:a potential target for intestinal aging

Intestinal aging is emerging as a major public health problem The world has entered an aging society,and it is expected that the global population aged 60 years or older will reach 1.5 billion by 2035[1].Aging is gradually becoming a major public health issue,posing a significant challenge to healthcare systems[2].It is a complex natural physiological process involving the irreversible degeneration of body cells,tissues,and organs,and it is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases.

Potential Treatment of COVID-19 with Traditional Chinese Medicine: What Herbs Can Help Win the Battle with SARS-CoV-2?

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been successfully applied worldwide in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).However,the pharmacological mechanisms underlying this success remain unclear.Hence,the aim of this review is to combine pharmacological assays based on the theory of TCM in order to elucidate the potential signaling pathways,targets,active compounds,and formulas of herbs that are involved in the TCM treatment of COVID-19,which exhibits combatting viral infections,immune regulation,and amelioration of lung injury and fibrosis.Extensive reports on target screening are elucidated using virtual prediction via docking analysis or network pharmacology based on existing data.The results of these reports indicate that an intricate regulatory mechanism is involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19.Therefore,more pharmacological research on the natural herbs used in TCM should be conducted in order to determine the association between TCM and COVID-19 and account for the observed therapeutic effects of TCM against COVID-19.

Transmission of Knowledge and Practice between Cultures:A Case Study of Chinese Medicine Integration in the United States

Medicine operates within the world views of the culture that it serves,and the widespread Chinese diaspora has carried medical practices with it.The resulting creolization takes shape at the borders of intersecting cultures in a distinct form of integration.This article explores the intersections of integration relative to the spread of Chinese medicine in the United States in practical,cognitive,and theoretical terms.This article could be a reference to practitioners,academics,and policymakers in the areas of integrative and Chinese medicine.

Research progress of acupuncture analgesia based on autonomic nerve regulation pathway

The autonomic nervous system(ANS)includes the sympathetic,parasympathetic,and enteric nervous systems,and its senior regulatory center includes the brainstem,cingulate gyrus,and hypothalamus.Acupuncture can affect visceral,vascular,and glandular functions via the autonomic nervous regulatory pathway.In this paper,the relationship between pain and autonomic nervous function,the application of acupuncture guided by the autonomic nervous system,and the basis and clinical research on acupuncture analgesia are reviewed.

Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of Shenkang injection combined with Western medicine in the treatment of chronic glomerulonephritis

Objective:The purpose of the research was to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Shenkang injection combined with Western medicine in treating chronic glomerulonephritis.Methods:Randomized controlled trials of Shenkang Injection combined with Western medicine in treating CGN were obtained from 8 Science databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),China Biomedical Database(SinMed),Weipu Database(VIP),Wanfang Database(Wanfang),PubMed,The Cochrane Library,Embase,Web of Science from establishment to June 2022.Two researchers screened literature and extracted useful data according to inclusion and exclusion criteria,and used RevMan 5.3 and STATA SE 14.0 software to perform meta-analysis.Results:1,214 patients were included in 15 studies,with 607 in treatment group and 607 in control group.The results of meta-analysis showed that the treatment group could improve the clinical effective rate[RR=1.33,95%CI(1.25,1.40),P<0.00001],reduce serum creatinine[MD=-31.28,95%CI(-42.90,-19.66),P<0.00001],blood urea nitrogen[MD=-2.26,95%CI(-3.08,-1.44),P<0.00001],24-hour urine protein quantification[MD=-0.37,95%CI(-0.49,-0.25),P<0.00001],tumor necrosis factor-α[MD=-7.93,95%CI(-10.56,-5.30),P<0.00001],systolic blood pressure[MD=-10.81,95%CI(-13.66,-7.96),P<0.00001]and diastolic blood pressure[MD=-7.36,95%CI(-9.34,-5.38),P<0.00001].Conclusion:Shenkang injection combined with Western medicine can enhance the clinical effective rate of CGN and reduce the levels of serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen,24-hour urine protein quantification,tumor necrosis factor-α,systolic blood and diastolic blood pressure.However,due to the low quality of literature,the conclusion still needs to be supported by more multi-center,large-sample studies with rigorous design and standardized implementation.

Study on the mechanism of Wuzi Yanzong pill in treating osteoporosis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Background:Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking,our study discussed the mechanism of Wuzi Yanzong pill in treating Osteoporosis(OP),which lays the foundation for drug development of OP.Methods:The chemical compounds and potential targets of Wuzi Yanzong pill were explored through TCMSP,PubChem,Swiss ADME and other databases.GeneCards,OMIM and Drugbank databases were used to obtain OP related targets.The intersection between the targets of Wuzi Yanzong pill and the related targets of OP was found by drawing a Venn diagram.PPI network was constructed with the STRING database and core targets were screened.The TCM-compound-action target-disease network was drawn using the Cytoscape software.The Metascape platform was used to find the pathways and functions for core target enrichment.Molecular docking validation of action compounds and core targets is completed by software such as Auto Dock Vina.Results:59 compounds and 707 action targets of Wuzi Yanzong pill were found.603 disease targets were selected,106 intersection targets were found using a Venn diagram,and 37 core targets were screened.By enrichment analysis,143 KEGG pathways,1026 GO biological processes,23 GO cell compositions and 60 GO molecular functions were obtained.The results of molecular docking showed that the effective compounds of Wuzi Yanzong pill,such as stigmasterol,quercetin,kaempferol andβ-sitosterol,had high binding activity with STAT3,TNF and IL6 core target proteins.Conclusion:Wuzi Yanzong Pill may play a role in treating OP by regulating STAT3,TNF,IL-6,TP53,VEGFA,JUN,AKT1,IL-1B,SRC,MMP9 and other pathways,as well as cancer-correlation,rheumatoid arthritis-correlation,MAPK,Th17 cell differentiation,IL-17,TNF signaling pathway and so on,to interpret Wuzi Yanzong pill’s clinic.

“Astragali Radix−Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma”herb pair in the treatment of liver cirrhosis and its pharmacological mechanisms

Objective:Liver cirrhosis is a disease that seriously damages human health.Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)formulae have a good therapeutic effect on cirrhosis,and the herb pair is the smallest unit in formula compatibility,which is important for improving the therapeutic effect.Therefore,identifying core herb pairs among TCM formulae is key.Methods:We mined the data of TCM formulae for the treatment of cirrhosis in the China National Intellectual Property Administration for the first time and analyzed their herb characteristics and association rules.We screened 405 patented TCM formulae,including 953 herbs.Based on frequency statistics and association rules,we determined“Astragali Radix-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma”as the core herb pair.Results:Six active compounds,Isorhamnetin,Formononetin,Calycosin,Cryptotanshinone,Dihydrotanshinone I,and Tanshinone II A,were screened out based on previous studies and network pharmacology.We found that SRC,TP53,HSP90AA1,MAPK3,MAPK1,and STAT3 played pivotal roles in treating cirrhosis.Interestingly,molecular docking indicated that MAPK3 might be a potential pharmacological target for cirrhosis.Conclusion:We preliminarily predicted and verified the pharmacological and molecular mechanism of“Astragali Radix-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma”in treating cirrhosis.This can expand the scope of TCM in the treatment of cirrhosis,guide people to use clinical formulae,and provide valuable insights for further drug discovery studies.

Efficacy and safety of mild-warm moxibustion in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(spleen deficiency and dampness excess syndrome):a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

1Background:Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is a disorder of bowel function,and diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D)is the most common.The current treatment for IBS-D is focused on improving patients’gastrointestinal-related symptoms,but there are limitations such as unstable effects and adverse drug reactions.Acupuncture and moxibustion exerts advantages in treating IBS-D.They include several forms,of which moxibustion is one of the most commonly used.And moxibustion is a common way used in treating IBS-D,but there is a lack of relevant evidence-based medical research data.This protocol aims to compare the efficacy of moxibustion(mild-warm moxibustion)in treating IBS-D(spleen deficiency and dampness excess syndrome)with the first-line treatment.Methods:In this prospective,parallel,randomized controlled trial(RCT)protocol,patients will be randomly allocated for 4-week treatment or control therapies and then 4-week follow-up in both groups.We will use Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Symptom Severity Scale(IBS-SSS)score,Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Quality of Life(IBS-QOL)score,serum brain-gut peptide levels,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scale score to produce more evidence on IBS-D treatment with moxibustion.Finally,we will use SPSS 22.0 software to statistically analyze the data.Discussion:Mild-warm moxibustion is a complementary alternative therapy that fits with the pathogenesis of IBS-D.We hope to see more clinical evidence for mild-warm moxibustion against IBS-D that this RCT supported.

Efficacy and safety of Banxia Xiexin Decoction in the treatment of gastric ulcer:a systematic review and meta-analysis of twenty-seven randomized controlled trials

Background:Banxia XieXin Decoction(BXD)is a traditional Chinese medicine decoction commonly used in the Chinese clinical treatment of gastric ulcer(GU).Although some people believe that it may have some advantages in this regard,There is no reliable evidence-based study demonstrating its effectiveness.This study aims to systematically evaluate the healing effect and security of BXD in the treatment of GU.Methods:PubMed,Cochrane Library,EMBASE,ScienceNet,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang database,Weipu database,and China biomedical literature service(CBM)database were systematically searched to obtain all randomized controlled trials(RCTs)evaluating the treatment GU of BXD published as of April 2022.Two researchers independently screened and extracted all research data,finally evaluated the bias risk of inclusion in the study using revman 5.4.Results:This meta-analysis included 27 randomized controlled trials and 1411 patients.The clinical effective rate,recurrence rate,HP eradication rate,adverse reaction rate,and visual analog score(VAS)of BXD combined treatment and standard treatment alone were compared.The results of the meta-analysis showed that BXD combined treatment improve the symptoms related to the gastric ulcers and reduce drug-related adverse reactions.Due to the low quality of the research included in this analysis,in-depth high-quality research is crucial for verifying these results.

Jianpi Gushen Huayu decoction ameliorated diabetic nephropathy through modulating metabolites in kidney,and inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 and JNK/P38 pathways

BACKGROUND Jianpi Gushen Huayu Decoction(JPGS)has been used to clinically treat diabetic nephropathy(DN)for many years.However,the protective mechanism of JPGS in treating DN remains unclear.AIM To evaluate the therapeutic effects and the possible mechanism of JPGS on DN.METHODS We first evaluated the therapeutic potential of JPGS on a DN mouse model.We then investigated the effect of JPGS on the renal metabolite levels of DN mice using non-targeted metabolomics.Furthermore,we examined the effects of JPGS on c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)/P38-mediated apoptosis and the inflammatory responses mediated by toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3).RESULTS The ameliorative effects of JPGS on DN mice included the alleviation of renal injury and the control of inflammation and oxidative stress.Untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed that JPGS altered the metabolites of the kidneys in DN mice.A total of 51 differential metabolites were screened.Pathway analysis results indicated that nine pathways significantly changed between the control and model groups,while six pathways significantly altered between the model and JPGS groups.Pathways related to cysteine and methionine metabolism;alanine,tryptophan metabolism;aspartate and glutamate metabolism;and riboflavin metabolism were identified as the key pathways through which JPGS affects DN.Further experimental validation showed that JPGS treatment reduced the expression of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathways and JNK/P38 pathway-mediated apoptosis related factors.CONCLUSION JPGS could markedly treat mice with streptozotocin(STZ)-induced DN,which is possibly related to the regulation of several metabolic pathways found in kidneys.Furthermore,JPGS could improve kidney inflammatory responses and ameliorate kidney injuries in DN mice via the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and inhibit JNK/P38 pathwaymediated apoptosis in DN mice.

Research Advance of Chinese Medicine in Treating Atherosclerosis:Focus on Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2

As a serious cardiovascular disease,atherosclerosis(AS)causes chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in the body and poses a threat to human health.Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2)is a member of the phospholipase A2(PLA2)family,and its elevated levels have been shown to contribute to AS.Lp-PLA2 is closely related to a variety of lipoproteins,and its role in promoting inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in AS is mainly achieved by hydrolyzing oxidized phosphatidylcholine(ox PC)to produce lysophosphatidylcholine(lyso PC).Moreover,macrophage apoptosis within plaque is promoted by localized Lp-PLA2 which also promotes plaque instability.This paper reviews those researches of Chinese medicine in treating AS via reducing Lp-PLA2 levels to guide future experimental studies and clinical applications related to AS.

Cholecystokinin and cholecystokinin-A receptor: An attractive treatment strategy for biliary dyskinesia?

Biliary dyskinesia is a relatively common gastrointestinal disease that is increas-ing in incidence as living standards improve.However,its underlying pathogenesis remains unclear,hindering the development of therapeutic drugs.Recently,“Expression and functional study of cholecystokinin-A receptors on the interstitial Cajal-like cells of the guinea pig common bile duct”demonstrated that cholecystokinin(CCK)regulates the contractile function of the common bile duct through interaction with the CCK-A receptor in interstitial Cajal-like cells,contributing to improving the academic understanding of biliary tract dynamics and providing emerging directions for the pathogenesis and clinical management of biliary dyskinesia.This letter provides a brief overview of the role of CCK and CCK-A receptors in biliary dyskinesia from the perspective of animal experiments and clinical studies,and discusses prospects and challenges for the clinical application of CCK and CCK-A receptors as potential therapeutic targets.

Electroacupuncture targeting the immune system to alleviate sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening inflammatory syndrome with high morbidity and mortality rates.However,options for sepsis are still limited to general treatment in intensive care units(ICUs),and effective therapies that improve sepsis survival are required.Immune disturbances play a vital role in the pathology of sepsis and are associated with protracted inflammation,susceptibility to infections,and death.Therefore,many investigators have focused on the potential benefits of immunomodulation therapy for sepsis.Electroacupuncture(EA)has been practiced in clinics for many years and has shown advantages in treating infectious diseases.Over the last few decades,our understanding of the efficacy and mechanisms of EA in sepsis has undergone considerable developments.We searched the literature regarding“CNKI,Wan Fang Data,VIP Database,PubMed,and Ingenta Connect”from 2010 to 2023,using the keywords“sepsis”“septic”and“electroacupuncture”and 336 sources were searched.Finally,we included 82 studies that targeted the immune system to determine EA’s anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects on sepsis.In this review,we found that EA has clinical benefits in relieving septic inflammation,improving immune function,and attenuating related multi-organ injury through several mechanisms,such as activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway(CAP),vagaladrenal axis,inhibition of the nuclear factor Kappa-B(NF-κB)signaling pathway,signal transducers and activators of transcription(STAT)signaling pathway,and improvement of immune cell function.Therefore,EA may be a promising complementary therapy for sepsis treatment.We also expect these data will contribute to further studies on EA in sepsis.