An experimental research of Weining granule in treating gastric precancerous lesions

Objective： To investigate potential therapeutic effects and mechanism of Weining granule in the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions. Methods： Sixty rats were randomly assigned to a blank group or a model group or to receive retinoic acid or high-, medium- or low- dose of Weining granule. General conditions of the animals were observed before and after treatment. Changes in gastric mucosal pathohistology, telomerase activity, proliferation index （PI） and apoptosis index （AI） were measured. Results： General conditions, including activity and eating, were improved in all Weining-granule-treated groups with the numbers of rats having intestinal metaplasia （IM）, atypical hyperplasia （ATP） or positive telomerase activity being significantly lower than those in the model group （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）. Compared with the model group, all doses of Weining granule significantly decreased PI （P 〈 0.01） and increased AI （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Weining granule may provide a therapeutic benefit for the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions by inhibiting telomerase activity and proliferation of gastric cancer cells and by accelerating their apoptosis.

A clinical study of Weining Granules in the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical effects of Weining Granules on gastric precancerous lesions(GPLs).METHODS:120 patients with GPLs were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive Weining Granules(trial group) or the comparator Weifuchun tablets(control group) for 6 months.Outcomes were compared between the two groups including:overall response;gastroscopically-determined response;pathologically-confirmed response;eradication of Helicobacter pylori(HP);microvessel density(MVD) in the gastric mucosa;expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF);interleukin 2(IL-2);interleukin 6(IL-6);T lymphocyte subsets;immunoglobulins;symptom scores;quality of life(QOL);and adverse reactions.RESULTS:Patients in the trial group had a significantly higher(P<0.05) overall response rate(81.7%) as compared with those in the control group(63.3%).Relative to treatment with Weifuchun tablets treatment with Weining Granules resulted in a significant improvement(P<0.05) in the scores for gastric pain,distension and stuffiness in the hypochondrium,and anorexia.As compared with the tablets the Granules were associated with a significantly higher overall gastroscopically-determined response rate(78.3%;P<0.05).Pathological examination of tissue samples indicated that 61.7% of patients receiving the granules were cured with an overall response rate of 75.5%;these rates were significantly higher than in the control group(P<0.05).In comparison with patients receiving the tablets,those given the granules were significantly more likely to have their HP eradicated(75.0% vs.51.4%;P<0.05).Improvements in MVD,VEGF,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+,IL-2,IL-6 and IgG were significantly greater with the Weining Granules than with the Weifuchun tablets(P<0.05 or P<0.01).After follow-up of 1 year,17.5% of patients in the trial group relapsed as compared with 39.5% in the control group(P<0.05).Relative to the control group,the trial group showed significantly greater improvements in physical,psychological and social relationships,and in environmental domains(P<0.05 or P<0.01).No significant adverse reactions were observed during treatment.CONCLUSION:The Weining Granules appear to be effective in improving the gastric precancerous state and the main symptoms,in inhibiting angiogenesis,enhancing immune function and QOL,and in reducing 1-year relapses.In addition,this preparation seems to be associated with a low risk of adverse events,making it a safe and efficacious option for the treatment of GPLs.