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.

Intervention effect of telemedicine on ischemic stroke:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Telemedicine refers to the use of information technology by medical institutions to directly provide diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients outside the healthcare facility.It encompasses various aspects such as remote diagnosis,remote monitoring,remote consultation,and remote outpatient services.Numerous articles have evaluated its role in controlling diseases like hypertension,diabetes,atrial fibrillation,and ischemic stroke.However,the existing literature exhibits varying quality and sample sizes,lacking robust convincing power and systematic effectiveness evaluation.Methods:Following The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines,we identified articles on remote medical intervention in ischemic stroke through databases including Web of Science,PubMed,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,CNKI,Weipu,and Wanfang.The search spanned from the inception of the databases to June 30,2022.Two researchers independently assessed literature quality,extracted data,and conducted meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3 software.Results:Ten articles,involving 5092 patients,were included.Meta-analysis results indicate that telemedicine can effectively enhance compliance with doctors’advice in ischemic stroke patients.Telemedicine is also associated with reduced stroke recurrence,moderate to severe disability,systolic and diastolic blood pressure,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores,and Modified Rankin Scale scores.Additionally,telemedicine demonstrates effectiveness in improving Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment and the Barthel Index of activity of daily living in ischemic stroke patients.However,telemedicine does not significantly reduce stroke hospitalization in the past year and the death rate.Conclusion:In comparison to traditional healthcare,telemedicine exhibits advantages in improving compliance and enhancing functionality in ischemic stroke patients.It is worth promoting telemedicine for better management of ischemic stroke patients.However,this study does not explain how telemedicine improves the functionality of ischemic stroke patients,indicating a need for further research.

The role of autophagy in the treatment of osteoporosis by Chinese medicines(natural)

Osteoporosis is one of the common orthopaedic diseases,characterised by increased bone fragility due to reduced bone mass and microstructural degeneration,posing a great threat to patients’quality of life and safety.In recent years,Chinese medicine(natural)has had a unique advantage in the treatment of osteoporosis and has shown good efficacy.Autophagy is an inherent cellular survival mechanism for the removal and recycling of damaged proteins and organelles and plays an important role in maintaining the stability of the intracellular environment and organ function.Therefore,this article aims to provide a comprehensive review of these Chinese medicines(natural)for the treatment of osteoporosis through autophagy.They have been intensively studied and reported to have effects such as promoting osteogenesis and anti-bone resorption.The Chinese medicines include plants such as Cistanche deserticola,Epimedium,Curculigo orchioides Gaertn,Achyranthes bidentata Blume,Leonurus japonicus Houtt,Ginseng,Chuanxiong Rhizome,Eucommia ulmoides,Morindae Officinalis Radix,Curcuma longa,Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix,Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge,Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge and Pueraria Lobata,thus providing evidence for the use of alternative herbal therapies for the effective treatment of osteoporosis.

Traditional Chinese medicine for prevention and treatment of hepatocarcinoma: From bench to bedside

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has played a positive role in the management of hepatocarcinoma. Hepatocarcinoma patients may present Qi-stagnation, damp-heat, blood stasis, Qi-deficiency, Yin-deficiency and other TCM syndromes(Zheng). Modern treatments such as surgery, transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) and high intensity focus ultrasound treatment would influence the manifestation of TCM syndromes. Herbs with traditional efficacy of tonifying Qi, blood and Yin, soothing liver-Qi stagnation, clearing heat and detoxifying and dissolving stasis, have been demonstrated to be potent to prevent hepatocarcinogenesis. TCM has been widely used in all aspects of integrative therapy in hepatocarcinoma, including surgical resection, liver transplantation, TACE, local ablative therapies and even as monotherapy for middle-advanced stage hepatocarcinoma. Clinical practices have confirmed that TCM is effective to alleviate clinical symptoms, improve quality of life and immune function, prevent recurrence and metastasis, delay tumor progression, and prolong survival time in hepatocarcinoma patients. The effective mechanism of TCM against hepatocarcinoma is related to inducing apoptosis, autophagy, anoikis and cell senescence, arresting cell cycle, regulating immune function, inhibiting metastasis and angiogenesis, reversing drug resistance and enhancing effects of chemotherapy. Along with the progress of research in this field, TCM will contribute more to the prevention and treatment of hepatocarcinoma.

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.

STUDY ON PATHOGENIC MECHANISM OF EMOTIONS IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE—An Observation of Hydrogen Peroxide Releasing Function of Celiac Macrophages in Rats Under Stress State

The hydrogen peroxide releasing function of macrophages in rats under the stress state wasobserved with the animal model of“excessive anger impairing the liver”.The resultsshowed that the volume of hydrogen peroxide released from the macrophages in rats wasdecreased,while the corticosterone level in plasma increased after stress.It indicates thatstimulation of harmful emotions could cause inhibition of immunoreaction of the organism,which might be related to the enhancement in excitability of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and hypersecretion of glucocorticoid hormone.

Under the narrative medicine theory to establish the evidence-based medical record written by doctors and patients through integrated therapy of traditional Chinese and western on digestive system diseases

Objective:The aim of this article was to discuss the theory of doctor-patient co-operated evidence-based medical record and set up the preliminary frame of the doctor-patient co-operated evidence-based medical record following the concept of narrative evidence-based medicine.Methods:The information was searched from Pubmed,Embase,CBMdisc,CNKI.A preliminary agreement was reached by referring to the principles of narrative medicine and advises given by experts of digestive system and evidence-based medicine in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine.Result:This research is a useful attempt to discuss the establishment of doctor-patient co-operated evidence-based medical record guided by the direction of narrative evidence-based medicine.Reflection and outlook:Doctor-patient co-operated medical record can be a key factor of the curative effect evaluation methodology system of integrated therapy of Tradition Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine on spleen and stomach diseases.

Clinical practice guideline on traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of influenza (2021)

Influenza is a serious public health problem that endangers the health of the global human population.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is rich in theory and practical experience regarding the treatment of influenza,and TCM treatments have shown good curative effects,but there is a dearth of standardized clinical guidance.It is necessary to formulate a clinical practice guide based on evidence-based medicine.To this end,the Specialty Committee of Emergency,China Association of Chinese Medicine(Beijing,China)organized a team of clinical experts,methodological experts,and other multidisciplinary experts to develop a guideline with integrated research methods in the first place of TCM.This guide includes 23 recommendations.The prescription section contains 16 recommendations,including 5 recommendations for mild cases,5 recommendations for severe cases,3 recommendations for critical cases,and 4 recommendations for the recovery period;the portion covering proprietary Chinese medicines forms a total of 7 recommendations.This guide aims to provide the best evidence for clinicians and related practitioners to make decisions about influenza diagnosis and treatment in Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture Treating Dystrophy Based on pH <br/>—Mathematical Reasoning of Treatment Principle Based on Yin Yang Wu Xing Theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine (III)

Theory of both Zangxiang (藏象) and Jingluo (经络) is useful in understanding disease. By using mathematical reasoning based on Yin Yang Wu Xing Theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this paper demonstrates the treatment principle: “Searching for a root cause of disease in cure, treatment of both the root-cause and symptoms at the same time” (治病求本, 标本兼治). It means that for a human body, there is the mathematical structure of both Zangxiang and Jingluo as her/his second physiological system. It can be used to determine both the root-cause and symptoms of the sick organ by using both Zangxiang and Jingluo. In general, for the human blood pH value, the normal range of theory is [7.34539, 7.45461] nearly to [7.35, 7.45], and the center is 7.4. The first or second transfer law of a human body’s energies changes according to the different blood pH values whether in the normal range or not. Human disease treatment should protect and maintain the balance of two incompatibility relations: the loving relationship and the killing relationship. As an application, acupuncture is used to treat limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

The applications of Bayesian models in real-world studies of traditional Chinese medicine:a primer

Real-world study is valuable for traditional Chinese medicine.However,there are no gold standards of statistical approaches for analyzing data from real-world study of traditional Chinese medicine.With the development of computer technology,researchers have increasingly paid attention to Bayesian statistics in the biomedical field.In present study,real-world study and Bayesian statistics were introduced.It was discussed that why and when to use Bayesian analysis and the challenge in the real-world study of traditional Chinese medicine.

A Brief Discussion on the Toxicity of Traditional Chinese Medicine

With the wide application of traditional Chinese medicine in the world,the related reports on the toxicity of traditional Chinese medicine are increasing,which makes the safety of traditional Chinese medicine receive wide attention.This paper analyzes the toxicity of traditional Chinese medicine with a fair and scientific attitude,in order to promote the benign and sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicine.

Prevention and Treatment of“Epidemic Toxin,Pathogenic Dampness,and Lung Deficiency”after COVID‑19 Recovery Based on the Theory of“Preventive Treatment of Diseases”in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Due to the sequelae and recurrence in patients with COVID-19 after recovery.This article,based on the theory of“preventive treatment of diseases”in traditional Chinese medicine,which believes that the three pathogenic factors of epidemic toxin,dampness,and lung deficiency are the fundamental causes of the recurrence of COVID‑19.The treatment strategies are to remove pathogenic factors,strengthen qi,nourish yin,clear heat,moisten dryness,and at the same time,reinforce the lung,spleen and kidney,and soothe the liver.Through a variety of treatments such as oral administration,external treatment,and skin absorption,it provides a new idea and method for the management of the recurrence of COVID‑19.

Prevention and Treatment of “Epidemic Toxin, Pathogenic Dampness, and Lung Deficiency” after COVID-19 Recovery Based on the Theory of “Preventive Treatment of Diseases” in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Due to the sequelae and recurrence in patients with COVID-19 after recovery.This article,based on lire theory of“preventive treatment of diseases”in traditional Chinese medicine,winch believes that the three pathogenic factors of epidemic toxin,dampness,and lung deficiency are the fundamental causes of the recurrence of COVID-19.The treatment strategies are to remove pathogenic factors,strengthen qi,nourish yin,clear heat,moisten dryness,and at the same time,reinforce the lung,spleen and kidney,and soothe the liver.Through a variety of treatments such as oral administration,external treatment,and skin absorption,it provides a new idea and method for the management of the recurrence of COVID-19.

Letters for "Prospects for the future of clinical efficacy evaluation of traditional Chinese Medicine—Emphasis on original theory and clinical practice"

Editorial Note:On January 1,2020,we published an online comment,titled“Prospects for the future of clinical efficacy evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine——Emphasis on original theory and clinical practice”,which focuses on the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine.After the article was published,it attracted the attention of some scholars,who discussed with the editorial department by letters.The relevant letters are organized as follows for further communication and discussion by readers.

Phenylethanoid glycosides from traditional Mongolian medicine Cymbaria daurica alleviate alloxan-induced INS-1 cells oxidative stress and apoptosis

Cymbaria daurica L. is a well-known traditional Mongolian medicine, which has been used to treat diabetesrelated conditions characterized by persistent thirst and hunger, copious urination, and weight loss. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of C. daurica extracts and phenylethanoid glycosides including verbascoside and isoacteoside on INS-1 cells. We discovered phenylethanoid glycosides from n-butanol extract with large content through extraction and separation. We continue to study the protective effects of phenylethanoid glycosides including verbascoside and isoacteoside on INS-1 cells. INS-1 cells were treated with C. daurica, cell viability assay, RNA-seq technology, superoxide dismutase activity and malonaldehyde content, quantitative real time-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to study the protective effects of C. daurica. Cell viability assay resulted that n-butanol extract and verbascoside, isoacteoside showed protective effects of C. daurica. According to the RNA-seq technology to identify the differentially expressed genes in INS-1 cells, the pathway of gene enrich the protective effect of C. daurica on oxidative stress. SOD activity and the content of MDA indicated that C. daurica could enhance the antioxidant capacity of INS-1 cells. Further investigation indicated C. daurica alleviate oxidative stress by inhibiting INS-1 cell apoptosis. C. daurica may play an anti-diabetic role by inhibiting islet cell apoptosis.

A meta-analysis of Chinese herbal medicines for vascular dementia

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of patients with vascular dementia. DATA RETRIEVAL： We retrieved publications from Cochrane Library （2004 to July 2011）, PubMed （1966 to July 2011）, the Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database （1977 to July 2011）, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure （1979 to July 2011）, Google Scholar （July 2011）, and the Chinese Biomedical Database （1977 to July 2011） using the key words ＂Chinese medicine OR Chinese herbal medicine＂ and ＂vascular dementia OR mild cognition impair OR multi-infarct dementia OR small-vessel dementia OR strategic infarct dementia OR hypoperfusion dementia OR hemorrhagic dementia OR hereditary vascular dementia＂. SELECTION CRITERIA： Randomized controlled trials comparing Chinese herbal medicines with placebo/western medicine in the treatment of patients with vascular dementia were included. Diagnostic standards included Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV, and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Association Internationale pour la Recherche et I＇Enseignement en Neurosciences. Two participants independently conducted literature screening, quality evaluation and data extraction. The quality of each trial was assessed according to the Cochrane Reviewers＇ Handbook 5.0. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Effective rate, Mini-Mental State Examination scores, Hasegawa Dementia Scale scores, and incidence of adverse reactions. RESULTS： We identified 1 143 articles discussing the effects of Chinese medicine on vascular dementia. Thirty-one of these were included in the analysis. These studies involved a total of 2 868 participants （1 605 patients took Chinese medicine decoctions （treatment group）; 1 263 patients took western medicine or placebo）. The results of our meta-analysis revealed that Chinese herbal remedies in the treatment group were more efficacious than the control intervention （relative risk （RR） = 1.27; 95% confidence interval （C/）： 1.18-1.38, P 〈 0.01）. Mini-Mental State Examination scores were higher in patients taking Chinese herbal medicines than in those in the control group （weighted mean difference （WMD） = 2.83; 95%CI： 2.55-3.12, P 〈 0.01）. Patients in the treatment group showed better disease amelioration than those in the control group （Hasegawa Dementia Scale scores; WMD = 2.41, 95%CI： 1.48-3.34, P 〈 0.01）. There were also considerably fewer adverse reactions among those in the treatment group compared with those in the control group （RR = 0.20, 95%CI： 0.08-0.47, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Chinese herbal medicine appears to be safer and more effective than control measures in the treatment of vascular dementia. However, the included trials were generally low in quality. More well-designed, high-quality trials are needed to provide better evidence for the assessment of the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicines for vascular dementia.

Traditional medicine in cancer:what is new in 2022

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in most countries and regions,accounting for about ten million deaths each year worldwide.Despite the endeavors and achievements made in treating cancer during the past decades,rapid resistance to the current clinically used targeted drugs or targeted chemotherapeutic agents continues to be a major problem in cancer therapies.Moreover,many cancer patients are suffering from tumor complications or cancer-related symptoms.Traditional medicine has been practiced for thousands of years and is also currently diffusely used worldwide as an alternative therapy for cancer.Areas of investigation of traditional medicine in cancer treatment,such as traditional formulas,chemical components derived from herbal medicines,and acupuncture,have received increasing attention,especially in recent years.Here,we included selected studies reported last year regarding traditional medicine for cancer treatment in an attempt to summarize the most relevant findings,providing a valuable reference for the future investigation of traditional medicine in the cancer field.

Effects of Chinese Herbal Medicine Based on Hachimi-jio-gan on Osteopenia in Rats

The effects of Chinese herbal medicines including Hachimi-jio-gan(HJG)and/or Hochu-ekki-to(HET)on osteopenia inrats were investigated.The Chinese herbal medicines were administrated for 8 weeks(7 times/week)starling from 1 weekafter ovariectomy.HJG and Prescription-2(Prsc-2,the prescription based on HJG)showed protective effect on bone loss ofthe vertebrae after ovariectomy.However,Prescription-1(the prescription based on HJG and HE-T)had no effect.Then,wemade osteopenia model in rats by prednisolone and low calcium diet.Prsc-2 and HJG were administrated for 20 weeks withprednisolone.These Chinese remedies showed protective effects for osteopenia,with better indices on bone loss of the limbsthan HJG alone in the osteopenia rats.It can be concluded that Prsc-2 is more effective than HJG for bone loss induced byvarious factors,and the additives in Prsc-2 may enhance the therapeutic effect.

Effects of the Chinese Herbal Medicine Based on Hachimi-jio-gan in Male Rats with the Adenine-Induced Osteopenia

In the adenine-induced renal failure rats, reversibility of renal failure and recovery of bone mineral density (BMD) by discontinuation of adenine-rich diet were reported: We think that the effect to bone metabolism with medication may be able to be evaluated as reinforcement of the BMD recovery. We have so far investigated the Chinese herbal medicine based on Hachimi-jio-gan (HJG) which are more effective than HJG alone. In this study, we investigated the effects of our Chinese herbal prescription on BMD in the adenine-treated rats compared to that of vitamin D3treatment. Young male rats were administrated 100 mg/ml adenine for 8 weeks, and they showed renal failure and bone loss. The adenine-treated rats were divided into the following 3 groups, that is, the group experienced no treatment (control), the group givenour Chinese herbal medicine (HAO), and the group given vitamin D3 (VD3) medication. It is likely that VD3 medication was less effective for increase of the femoral BMD than increase of the spinal BMD. In contrast, HAO was effective for increase of the femoral BMD. The VD3 group showed low deoxypyridinoline (Dpd: bone resorption maker) as compared to the control group.However, the HAO group showed same or slightly high Dpd. It is suggested that VD3 may increase BMD by reduction of bone resorption, while HAO may show effect on BMD by activating bone metabolism. It is indicated that HAO may become a curative medicine for bone loss because of the different target site from vitamin D3.

Mining Syndrome Differentiating Principles from Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Data

Syndrome differentiation-based treatment is one of the key characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM).The process of syndrome differentiation is difficult and challenging due to its complexity,diversity and vagueness.Analyzing syndrome principles from historical records of TCM using data mining(DM)technology has been of high interest in recent years.Nevertheless,in most relevant studies,existing DM algorithms have been simply developed for TCM mining,while the combination of TCM theories or its characteristics with DM algorithms has rarely been reported.This paper presents a novel Symptom-Syndrome Topic Model(SSTM),which is a supervised probabilistic topic model with three-tier Bayesian structure.In the SSTM,syndromes are considered as observed topic labels to distinguish certain symptoms from possible symptoms according to their different positions.The generation of our model is in full compliance with the syndrome differentiation theory of TCM.Experimental results show that the SSTM is more effective than other models for syndrome differentiating.