Efficacy and safety of Yangxinshi tablet for chronic heart failure:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The specific benefits of Yangxinshi tablet(YXST)in the treating chronic heart failure(CHF)remain uncertain.AIM To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of YXST in the treatment of CHF.METHODS Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)investigating YXST for CHF treatment were retrieved from eight public databases up to November 2023.Meta-analyses of the included clinical studies were conducted using Review Manager 5.3.RESULTS Twenty RCTs and 1845 patients were included.The meta-analysis results showed that the YXST combination group,compared to the conventional drug group,significantly increased the clinical efficacy rate by 23%[relative risk(RR)=1.23,95%CI:1.17-1.29],(P<0.00001),left ventricular ejection fraction by 6.69%[mean difference(MD)=6.69,95%CI:4.42-8.95,P<0.00001]and 6-min walk test by 49.82 m(MD=49.82,95%C:38.84-60.80,P<0.00001),and reduced N-terminal pro-Btype natriuretic peptide by 1.03 ng/L[standardized MD(SMD)=-1.03,95%CI:-1.32 to-0.74,P<0.00001],brain natriuretic peptide by 80.95 ng/L(MD=-80.95,95%CI:-143.31 to-18.59,P=0.01),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter by 3.92 mm(MD=-3.92,95%CI:-5.06 to-2.78,P<0.00001),and left ventricular endsystolic diameter by 4.34 mm(MD=-4.34,95%CI:-6.22 to-2.47,P<0.00001).Regarding safety,neither group reported any serious adverse events during treatment(RR=0.54,95%CI:0.15-1.90,P=0.33).In addition,Egger's test results indicated no significant publication bias(P=0.557).CONCLUSION YXST effectively improves clinical symptoms and cardiac function in patients with CHF while maintaining a favorable safety profile,suggesting its potential as a therapeutic strategy for CHF.

Intelligent Chinese Medicine:A New Direction Approach for Integrative Medicine in Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases

High mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases(CVDs)persist worldwide.Older people are at a higher risk of developing these diseases.Given the current high treatment cost for CVDs,there is a need to prevent CVDs and or develop treatment alternatives.Western and Chinese medicines have been used to treat CVDs.However,several factors,such as inaccurate diagnoses,non-standard prescriptions,and poor adherence behavior,lower the benefits of the treatments by Chinese medicine(CM).Artificial intelligence(AI)is increasingly used in clinical diagnosis and treatment,especially in assessing efficacy of CM in clinical decision support systems,health management,new drug research and development,and drug efficacy evaluation.In this study,we explored the role of AI in CM in the diagnosis and treatment of CVDs,and discussed application of AI in assessing the effect of CM on CVDs.

Iridoids modulate inflammation in diabetic kidney disease: A review

In recent years,preclinical research on diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has surged to the forefront of scientific and clinical attention.DKD has become a pervasive complication of type 2 diabetes.Given the complexity of its etiology and pathological mechanisms,current interventions,including drugs,dietary modifications,exercise,hypoglycemic treatments and lipid-lowering methods,often fall short in achieving desired therapeutic outcomes.Iridoids,primarily derived from the potent components of traditional herbs,have been the subject of long-standing research.Preclinical data suggest that iridoids possess notable renal protective properties;however,there has been no summary of the research on their efficacy in the management and treatment of DKD.This article consolidates findings from in vivo and in vitro research on iridoids in the context of DKD and highlights their shared anti-inflammatory activities in treating this condition.Additionally,it explores how certain iridoid components modify their chemical structures through the regulation of intestinal flora,potentially bolstering their therapeutic effects.This review provides a focused examination of the mechanisms through which iridoids may prevent or treat DKD,offering valuable insights for future research endeavors.