Yiqi Huayu Research Articles

Evaluating the effect and mechanism of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction combined with FLOT regimen neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the patients with locally advanced gastric cancer: protocol for a prospective, double-arm, randomized controlled clinical trial

Evaluating the effect and mechanism of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction combined with FLOT regimen neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the patients with locally advanced gastric cancer: protocol for a prospective, double-arm, randomized controlled clinical trial

Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction inhibits liver metastasis of colorectal cancer via enhancing natural killer cells function

Ethnopharmacological relevanceComplementary treatment with valuable efficacy and less toxic or side effect is in urgent need for colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy. Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction (YHJD) is a polyherbal formulation which has been applied in clinic to treat CRC for a long period of time. Nevertheless, the potential active ingredients and molecular mechanism remains to be further explored. Aim of the studyTo probe the effective compounds of YHJD and its underlying pharmacological effects. Moreover, the influence on liver metastasis of CRC as well as function of natural killer (NK) cells results from YHJD was investigated. Materials and methodsThe active ingredients and target genes of YHJD was examined through TCMSP databases. Compound-compound target network was performed by applying Cytoscape3.9.1 software. The CRC-related disease targets were explored via DisGeNET database. Venn database was used to find the common genes between CRC and YHJD. Protein-protein interaction network was established by STRING database. Biological process and signaling pathways potentially regulated by YHJD were evaluated by DAVID database. Western blot assay was then conducted to further investigate the effect of YHJD on PI3K-AKT signaling. The association between NK cells content and TNM or pathological stages of CRC was studied through TCGA database. The killing efficiency of NK cells was researched by CCK8 experiment. In vivo assay and HE staining were performed to assess the anti-liver metastasis effect of YHJD. The variation of NK cells content was authenticated by applying flow cytometry analysis. ResultsWe firstly found 176 active ingredients and 268 target genes of YHJD. Compound-compound target network was then established consisted of 455 nodes and 3989 edges. Then 707 disease targets associated with CRC were discovered and 42 common genes between CRC and YHJD were identified. Protein-protein interaction network was further constructed, among which 5 vital genes including TP53, AKT1, TNF, MYC and CCND1 were recognized. GO and KEGG analysis was performed to explore probable biological process and signaling pathways regulated by YHJD. Particularly, the ratio of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT at protein level representing the activation of PI3K-AKT signaling could be suppressed by YHJD. In addition, bioinformatic analysis detected reduced NK cells content in CRC tissues, which gave rise to more advanced node, metastasis and pathological stages. We next presented that YHJD can improve the killing effect of NK cells on CRC. At meantime, YHJD was capable of suppressing liver metastasis of CRC in vivo as well as promoting the content of NK cells, while the improving effect was partially neutralized by anti-ASGM1. ConclusionsOur research indicates that YHJD can prohibit liver metastasis of CRC in vivo. The therapeutic effectiveness is linked to regulation of multiple targets and effector process, especially PI3K-AKT signaling as well as immune response dominated by NK cells.

Retracted: Effect of Yiqi Huayu Pinggan Zishen Formula Combined with Valsartan in the Treatment of Hypertension and Its Effect on MMP-9, Ang II, and MCP-1.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/7982023.].

Yiqi Huayu decoction alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats by inhibiting senescence.

Overview: In treating pulmonary fibrosis (PF), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has received much attention, but its mechanism is unclear. The pharmacological mechanisms of TCM can be explored through network pharmacology. However, due to its virtual screening properties, it still needs to be verified by in vitro or in vivo experiments. Therefore, we investigated the anti-PF mechanism of Yiqi Huayu Decoction (YHD) by combining network pharmacology with in vivo experiments. Methods: Firstly, we used classical bleomycin (BLM)-induced rat model of PF and administrated fibrotic rats with YHD (low-, medium-, and high-dose). We comprehensively assessed the treatment effect of YHD according to body weight, lung coefficient, lung function, and histopathologic examination. Second, we predict the potential targets by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) combined with network pharmacology. In brief, we obtained the chemical ingredients of YHD based on the UHPLC-MS/MS and TCMSP database. We collected drug targets from TCMSP, HERB, and Swiss target prediction databases based on active ingredients. Disease targets were acquired from drug libraries, Genecards, HERB, and TTD databases. The intersecting targets of drugs and disease were screened out. The STRING database can obtain protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and hub target proteins. Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) clustering analysis combined with enrichment analysis can explore the possible biological mechanisms of YHD. Enrichment analyses were conducted through the R package and the David database, including the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), and Reactome. Then, we further validated the target genes and target proteins predicted by network pharmacology. Protein and gene expression detection by immunohistochemistry, Western blot (WB), and real-time quantitative PCR (rt-qPCR). Results: The results showed that high-dose YHD effectively attenuated BLM-induced lung injury and fibrosis in rats, as evidenced by improved lung function, relief of inflammatory response, and reduced collagen deposition. We screened nine core targets and cellular senescence pathways by UHPLC-MS/MS analysis and network pharmacology. We subsequently validated key targets of cellular senescence signaling pathways. WB and rt-qPCR indicated that high-dose YHD decreased protein and gene expression of senescence-related markers, including p53 (TP53), p21 (CDKN1A), and p16 (CDKN2A). Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) are upstream triggers of the senescence program. The senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs), containing interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), can further exacerbate the progression of senescence. High-dose YHD inhibited ROS production in lung tissue and consistently reduced the SASPs expression in serum. Conclusion: Our study suggests that YHD improves lung pathological injury and lung function in PF rats. This protective effect may be related to the ability of YHD to inhibit cellular senescence.

Effect of Yiqi Huayu Pinggan Zishen Formula Combined with Valsartan in the Treatment of Hypertension and Its Effect on MMP-9, Ang II, and MCP-1.

Objective To explore the effect of Yiqi Huayu Pinggan Zishen recipe combined with valsartan in the treatment of hypertension and its effect on MMP-9, Ang II, and MCP-1. Methods About 100 patients with hypertension treated in our hospital from March 2020 to April 2021 were enrolled. All patients were arbitrarily assigned to the control group and the study group. The former group was cured with valsartan, and the latter group was cured with Yiqi Huayu Pinggan Zishen recipe combined with valsartan. The curative effect, blood pressure level, renal function index, serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), angiotensin II (Ang II) level, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared. Results First of all, we compared the curative effects; the study group exhibited remarkably effective in 44 cases and effective in 6 cases, and the effective rate was 100.00%, while in the control group, 24 cases were markedly effective, 16 cases were effective, and 5 cases were ineffective; the effective rate was 90.00%. The curative effect in the study group was higher (P < 0.05). Secondly, we compared the blood pressure level. Before treatment, there was no remarkable difference (P > 0.05). After treatment, the blood pressure of the two groups decreased. The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of the study group were lower (P < 0.05). In terms of renal function indexes, the levels of blood urine nitrogen (BUN), Cr, and β 2-MG in the study group were lower, while the level of eGFR in the study group was higher (P < 0.05). The serum levels of MMP-9, MCP-1, and Ang II decreased. Of note, the levels of serum MMP-9, MCP-1, and Ang II in the study group were lower (P < 0.05). After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores decreased, and the study group was lower (P < 0.05). Finally, we compared the incidence of adverse reactions. The incidence of adverse reactions in the study group was lower (P < 0.05). Conclusion Yiqi Huayu Pinggan Zishen recipe combined with valsartan in the treatment of hypertension can remarkably reduce the clinical symptoms, enhance the renal function, strengthen the therapeutic effect, promote the ability of independent movement, and reduce the levels of serum MMP-9, MCP-1, and Ang II with high safety, which has the value of clinical application.

Efficacy of Bushen Yiqi Huayu Decoction on Ovarian Reserve and Inflammatory Factors in Patients after Hysterectomy plus Salpingectomy.

Objective To assess the efficacy of Bushen Yiqi Huayu Decoction on ovarian reserve and inflammatory factors in patients after hysterectomy plus salpingectomy. Methods Between January 2020 and December 2020, sixty patients with benign uterine lesions scheduled for a hysterectomy plus salpingectomy in the obstetrics and gynecology department of our hospital were recruited and assigned at a ratio of 1 : 1 via the random number table method to receive conventional therapy (control group) or conventional therapy plus Bushen Yiqi Huayu Decoction (study group) for 2 months. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores, TCM efficacy, various postoperative recovery time indexes, inflammatory factor levels, and hormone levels were compared between the two groups of patients. Results The study group had lower TCM symptom scores and milder inflammatory responses compared to the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The Bushen Yiqi Huayu Decoction plus conventional therapy achieved an efficacy of 96.67% versus the efficacy of 76.67% by conventional therapy alone (P < 0.05). In contrast to the control group, a shorter postoperative recovery duration of patients was recorded in the study group (P < 0.05). The study group showed significantly better improvement in hormone levels than the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion Bushen Yiqi Huayu Decoction can significantly mitigate the inflammatory response of patients after hysterectomy plus salpingectomy, improve the hormone level and the ovarian reserve of patients, and promote rapid recovery, so it is worthy of clinical promotion.

A Probe into the Intervention Mechanism of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction on TLR4/NLRP3 Signal Pathway in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Rats.

Background This study discusses the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction (YQHYJD) and studies the intervening effect of YQHYJD on the inflammatory cytokines in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) rats by inhibiting the TLR4/NLRP3 signal pathway. The aim of the probe is to provide evidence to support the identification of therapeutic targets in Chinese medicine treatment, which broadens the alternatives for the treatment of ARDS. Method A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS model group is established on rats by tail vein injection. A medicine group is established on ARDS rats by prophylactic administration using YQHYJD. Materials are collected, and tests are conducted according to experimental processes. Result The rats in the medicine group gained weight compared with those in the ARDS model group. Pathological sections from the medicine group indicated improved condition in terms of pulmonary and interstitial edema in the lung tissues of rats compared with that from the ARDS model group. The percentage of neutrophil of the medicine group was significantly brought down compared with that of the ARDS model group (P < 0.001). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the changes in the level of inflammatory cytokines. It was observed that the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum of the medicine group significantly decreased (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01), the contents of TLR4 and NLRP3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the medicine group decreased, and the contents of TLR4 and NLRP3 in lung tissue homogenate of the medicine group significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05). In further mass spectrum identification of the proteins from the same animal groups, it was observed that the expressions of inflammatory proteins TNFRSF1, LBP, and NOS2 of the medicine group were reduced. The differences were statistically significant. Conclusions The pharmacological action of YQHYJD's anti-inflammatory mechanism is closely associated with the regulation of inflammatory cytokines TLR4, NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18, TNFRSF1, LBP, and NOS2 on the TLR4/NLRP3 signal pathway.

Network Pharmacology Study and Experimental Validation of Yiqi Huayu Decoction Inducing Ferroptosis in Gastric Cancer.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the mechanism of Yiqi Huayu Decoction (YQHY) induced ferroptosis in gastric cancer (GC) by using network pharmacology and experimental validation.MethodsThe targets of YQHY, ferroptosis-related targets, and targets related to GC were derived from databases. Following the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, the hub targets for YQHY induced ferroptosis in GC were identified. Furthermore, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were used to analyze the hub targets from a macro perspective. We verified the hub targets by molecular docking, GEPIA, HPA, and the cBioPortal database. Finally, we performed cell viability assays, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting, lipid peroxidation, and GSH assays to explore the mechanism of YQHY induced ferroptosis in GC.ResultsWe identified the main active compounds and hub targets: Quercetin, DIBP, DBP, Mipax, Phaseol and TP53, ATM, SMAD4, PTGS2, and ACSL4. KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway may be a significant pathway. Molecular docking results showed that the main active compounds had a good binding activity with the hub targets. The experimental results proved that YQHY could induce ferroptosis in AGS by increasing the MDA content and reducing the GSH content. qRT–PCR and Western blot results showed that YQHY can induce ferroptosis in GC by affecting the JAK2-STAT3 pathway and the expression of ACSL4.ConclusionsThis study indicated that YQHY can induce ferroptosis in GC by affecting the JAK2–STAT3 pathway and the expression of ACSL4, and induction of ferroptosis may be one of the possible mechanisms of YQHY’s anti-recurrence and metastasis of GC.

"Yiqi Huayu, Wenyang Lishui" Prescription (YHWLP) Improves the Symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-Induced Chronic Pulmonary Heart Disease by Inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK Signaling Pathway.

Background Chronic pulmonary heart disease (CPHD) is a common type of heart disease. In China, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the main causes of CPHD. At present, there is no specific therapy for COPD-induced CPHD, so it is of great importance to identify a new therapy for CPHD. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of “Yiqi Huayu, Wenyang Lishui” prescription (YHWLP) on CPHD symptoms. Methods Eighty patients with COPD-induced CPHD were randomly divided into the control group and the YHWLP group, both involving treatment for 3 months. Both groups were treated with Western medicine, and the YHWLP group was also treated with YHWLP. The changes (relative to baseline) in the symptoms, pulmonary arterial pressure, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen (Fbg), D-dimer (D-D), and ratio of phosphorylated (p)-myosin-binding subunit (MBS)/total (t)-MBS in peripheral blood (which indirectly indicates the activation/inhibition of RhoA/ROCK signaling) were compared between the two groups. Results YHWLP plus Western medicine was superior to Western medicine alone at reducing symptoms, pulmonary arterial pressure, PT, aPTT, Fbg, D-D, and p-MBS/t-MBS. Conclusion YHWLP can relieve CPHD by inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway, which means YHWLP is a potential treatment for CPHD.

Clinical Observation and Evaluation of Bushen Yiqi Huayu Decoction in Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis

Clinical Observation and Evaluation of Bushen Yiqi Huayu Decoction in Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis

Alleviation of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Rats by Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction: A Tandem Mass Tag-Based Proteomics Study.

BackgroundTo study the effect of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction (YQHYJD) on protein expression in the lung tissue of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) rats and to explore the underlying molecular therapeutic mechanism of YQHYJD.MethodsSprague Dawley rats were administered with YQHYJD by oral gavage for 1 week. The rats were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce ARDS. The lung injury was assessed pathologically. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were screened by quantitative proteomics and analyzed using bioinformatic tools, such as Metascape and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) mapper. DEPs were verified by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM).ResultsYQHYJD alleviated the LPS-induced pathological damage of lung tissue in rats. There were 134 DEPs among the YQHYJD treatment and model groups. The Genomes pathway analyses revealed that the DEPs were closely related to immune system pathway. The mass spectrometry analysis revealed that YQHYJD exhibits a protective effect on lung tissue by significantly upregulating hematopoietic cell kinase (Hck), phospholipid phosphatase 3 (Plpp3), myristoylated-alanine rich C-kinase substrate (Marcks), and Actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 2 (Arpc2), which are related to Fc gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis pathway.ConclusionYQHYJD can alleviate the lung injury of ARDS rats by regulating the Fc gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis pathway, which is related to immune system.

Study on Intervention Mechanism of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction on ARDS Based on Network Pharmacology.

Background Yiqi Huayu Jiedu (YQHYJD) is a traditional Chinese medicine decoction made up of eight traditional Chinese medicines. Although YQHYJD is effectively used to prevent and treat ARDS/acute lung injury (ALI) in rats, the molecular mechanisms supporting its clinical application remain elusive. The purpose of the current study was to understand its lung protective effects at the molecular level using network pharmacology approach. Methods In an ARDS animal model, the beneficial pharmacological activities of YQHYJD were confirmed by reduced lung tissue damage levels observed on drug treated rats versus control group. We then proposed a network analysis to discover the key nodes based on drugs and disease network. Subsequently, we analyzed interaction networks and screened key targets. Using Western blot to detect the expression level of key targets, the intervention effect of changes in expression level of key targets on ARDS was evaluated. Results Pathway enrichment analysis of highly ranked genes showed that ErbB pathways were highly related to ARDS. Finally, western blot results showed decreased level of the AKT1 and KRAS/NRAS/HRAS protein in the lung after treatment which confirmed the hypothesis. Conclusion In conclusion, our results suggest that YQHYJD can exert lung tissue protective effect against the severe injury through multiple pathways, including the endothelial cells permeability improvement, inflammatory reaction inhibition, edema, and lung tissue hemorrhage reduction.

Effect of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction on stages II and III gastric cancer: A multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

Background:This study aimed to explore the effect of YHJD (Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction) in patients with stages II and III gastric cancer.Methods:A multicenter, prospective, cohort study was conducted in Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, People's Liberation Army Bayi Hospital, Changzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Changzhou Tumor Hospital, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Kunshan, Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Yixing Tumor Hospital. A total of 489 patients with stage II or III gastric cancer were enrolled after radical gastrectomy. Among them, 238 were included in the chemotherapy group (received chemotherapy alone) and 251 in the YHJD group (received chemotherapy combined with YHJD). The DFS (disease-free survival) rate, 5-year survival rate, quality of life, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms of the 2 groups were compared.Results:The DFS curve of the YHJD group was higher than that of the chemotherapy group (P = .0042). The HR (hazard ratio) was 0.672, and its corresponding 95% CI (confidence interval) was 0.511 to 0.884. For stage II patients, the P value was .8323, which indicated that the difference was not significant. The risk HR was 0.938, and the corresponding 95% CI was 0.521 to 1.689. For stage III patients, the P value was .0072, indicating a statistically significant difference. The HR was 0.653, and the corresponding 95% CI was 0.477 to 0.893. The 5-year survival rate of the YHJD group was 85.29%, which was higher than that of the chemotherapy group (71.05%). Compared with the chemotherapy group, the YHJD group had better quality of life and lower TCM symptom scores.Conclusion:YHJD decoction is effective in improving DFS rate in patients with gastric cancer stage III after radical gastrectomy. Moreover, it can reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis and improve the quality of life in patients with gastric cancer stage II or III after radical gastrectomy.

Molecular Concept of Diabetic Wound Healing: Effective Role of Herbal Remedies.

The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is on the rise, worldwide. One of the main complications in DM is delayed wound healing and it often requires amputation. Various drugs were used to treat DM but they presented with adverse effects. Often, patients failed to comply with such treatment. This opened the door for complementary and alternative medicine. In the present review, we explored the molecular concept of wound healing occurring in different stages with special emphasis to DM. We also highlighted the potential herbal products such as NF3 (Chinese 2-Herb Formula), Zicao, Jing Wan Hong ointment, Aleo vera, mixture of Adiantum capillus-veneris, Commiphora molmol, Aloe vera, and henna, Phenol-rich compound sweet gel, Jinchuang ointment, San-huang-sheng-fu (S) oil, Yi Bu A Jie extract, Astragali Radix (AR) and Rehmanniae Radix (RR), Yiqi Huayu, Tangzu yuyang ointment, Shengji Huayu recipe, Angelica sinensis, Lithospermun erythrorhison, Hippophae rhamnoides L., Curcuma longa and Momordica charantia that could be used effectively to treat DM wounds. Future clinical trials are needed for designing potential drugs which may be effective in treating DM wounds.

Effects of Yiqi Huayu Hutan decoction on pulmonary fibrosis in rats and its mechanism

To investigate the effects of Yiqi Huayu Hutan decoction on pulmonary fibrosis of rats which induced by bleomycin. The rat model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal injection of bleomycin hydrochloride (5 mg/kg). Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group (group N), the model group (group M), the positive control group (group Y), group of low concentration (group LC), group of medium concentration (group MC) and group of high concentration of Yiqi Huayu Hutan decoction (group HC). After 4 weeks, the experimental groups were treated with low concentration decoction, medium concentration decoction and high concentration decoction respectively, and the Y group was treated with hydrocortisone acetate, the Group N and group M were treated with saline by intragastric administration. Twelve weeks later, rats were killed and the pathomorphism of pulmonary tissues of each group was observed by HE staining and Masson staining. Further, the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), Snail1, E-cadherin and Fibronectin in pulmonary tissues of each group were detected by qTR-PCR and Western blot. Compared with the model group, the collagen sediment in the interstitial was reduced in the experimental groups, especially in the group of medium concentration, which was observed by HE staining and Masson staining .Compared with the model group, the expressions of TGF-β1, Snail1 and Fibronectin protein in pulmonary tissues of the treatment groups were decreased in the experimental group, especially in the group of medium concentration, which were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Yiqi Huayu Hutan decoction can significantly improve the pulmonary fibrosis which is induced by bleomycin, and the mechanism is related to the inhibition of the expression of TGF-β/Snail pathway of transcription TGF-β1.

Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction Inhibits the Invasion and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Cells through TGF-β/Smad Pathway.

Background. Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction (YHJD) can obviously improve the quality of life of those patients with gastric cancer and prolong their survival. Methods. In vitro experiments, we observe YHJD's effect on the cells' proliferation by MTT assay. Cell adhesion assay, wound-healing assay, and Transwell invasion assay serve to detect its influence on cells' adhesion, migration, and invasion, respectively. Inhibitor (10 μM/L of SB431542) and activator (10 ng/mL of TGF-β) of TGF-β/Smad pathway were used to estimate whether YHJD's impact on the biological behavior of gastric cancer cells was related to TGF-β/Smad pathway. In in vivo studies, YHJD was administered to the nude mice transplanted with gastric cancer to observe its effect on the tumor. Western blotting and immunohistochemical assay were used to test relevant cytokines of TGF-β/Smad pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in MGC-803 cells and the tumor bearing nude mice. Results. YHJD inhibited proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion of MGC-803 gastric cancer cells in vitro. In in vivo studies, YHJD reduced the volume of the transplanted tumors. It also enhanced the expression of E-cadherin and decreased the levels of N-cadherin, TGF-β, Snail, and Slug in both MGC-803 cells and the transplanted tumor by western blot assay. The immunohistochemical assay revealed that YHJD raised E-cadherin in the tumors of the mice; on the contrary, the expression of N-cadherin, Twist, vimentin, TGF-βR I, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, Snail, and Slug reduced. Conclusion. YHJD can effectively inhibit the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells. The mechanism may be related to TGF-β/Smad pathway.

Clinical efficacy of ‘Spleen-kidney-care’ Yiqi Huayu and Jiangzhuo traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of patients with diabetic nephropathy

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), 'Spleen-kidney-care' Yiqi Huayu and Jiangzhuo decoction (SKC-YJ), as an adjuvant therapy in diabetic nephropathy (DN) treatment. In total, 72 patients with DN were randomly divided into control (n=54) and experimental (n=18) groups, with the latter administered SKC-YJ treatment. Indicators for determining the condition of the patients included the levels of proteinuria, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, blood lipids, blood viscosity and C-reactive protein, which were used to analyze the treatment protocols for DN. Following SKC-YJ treatment, the urinary albumin excretion rate, fasting blood glucose, 2 h-postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, blood viscosity, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein levels were detected in the two groups, and were all demonstrated to decrease significantly following treatment with SKC-YJ. Furthermore, the results revealed that SKC-YJ treatment exhibited no significant side-effects on the blood, liver and renal functions or gastrointestinal reactions. By contrast, SKC-YJ improved the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in the patients with DN, while showing no allergic reaction during the observation period. Therefore, SKC-YJ treatment was shown to significantly improve the clinical efficacy of DN treatment, illustrating novel roles for TCM in DN treatment.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huayu formula on substance P expression in skin ulcers of rats with diabetes mellitus

To investigate the effects of Chinese herbs for replenishing qi (Yiqi) and dissolving stasis (Huayu) on substance P expression in granulation tissue of skin ulcers in rats with diabetes mellitus. One hundred male Sprague-Dawley rats with back full-thickness skin lesion were randomly divided into five groups: ulcer control group, diabetic ulcer group, Yiqi Huayu herb group, Yiqi herb group, and Huayu herb group. Except ulcer control group, the other rats were also injected streptozotocin to induce diabetes mellitus. Rats in each group were given normal saline or herbal drugs for 15 d and the wound healing rate of the rats was observed on days 8 and 15, respectively. After treatment, the expression of substance P in granulation tissues of the rats was tested with immunohistochemical method and the immunohistochemical index was calculated. On the 8th and 15th days after treatment, the wound healing rate of the ulcer control group was higher than that of the diabetic ulcer group (P<0.01); the wound healing rates of all the treated groups were higher than that of the diabetic ulcer group (P<0.05); the wound healing rate of the Yiqi Huayu herb group was higher than those of the Yiqi herb group and the Huayu herb group (P<0.05). Compared with the diabetic ulcer group, the expression of substance P of the ulcer control group was increased (P<0.05); the expressions of substance P of the Yiqi Huayu herb group and the Huayu herb group were higher than that of the diabetic ulcer group (P<0.05). Yiqi Huayu herbs can promote wound healing in rats with diabetes mellitus by up-regulating the expression of substance P.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huayu Bushen Recipe on expressions of aggrecan and type Ⅹ collagen mRNAs in cells from degenerated human intervertebral discs

To investigate the effects of serum containing Yiqi Huayu Bushen Recipe, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on expressions of aggrecan and type X collagen mRNAs of the degenerated intervertebral disc cells in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Six inpatients diagnosed as cervical spondylotic myelopathy and undergoing cervical decompression and fusion surgery to remove the degenerated disc tissue were enrolled in this study. Primary intervertebral disc cells were isolated using small tissue mass method. Serum containing Yiqi Huayu Bushen recipe were obtained after SD rats were fed with Yiqi Huayu Bushen recipe for 3 days. MTT method was used to detect proliferation of the first-passage cells isolated from degenerated intervertebral discs and growth curve was drawn. In the following tests, the first-passage cells were cultured with the sera containing drugs and sodium chloride (NaCl), respectively. Proliferation of intervertebral disc cells was detected by MTT method and expressions of aggrecan and type X collagen mRNAs were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The growth curve of the first-passage cells of the degenerated intervertebral discs showed that the time of cell proliferation peak was the sixth day. Compared with the same concentrations of NaCl solution, serum containing Yiqi Huayu Bushen Recipe at 5%, 10% and 20% promoted cell proliferation and expression of aggrecan mRNA and decreased expression of type X collagen mRNA (P<0.01). 10% serum containing Yiqi Huayu Bushen recipe was more effective than 5% and 20%. Yiqi Huayu Bushen Recipe inhibits degeneration of the intervertebral disc cells by regulating collagen and proteoglycan expressions.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huayu Recipe on apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion neurons and expression of caspase-3 in rats with lumbar nerve root compression

To observe the effects of Yiqi Huayu Recipe, a Chinese compound herbal medicine, on apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and expression of caspase-3 in rats after lumbar nerve root compression injury. A total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups: control group, untreated group, Methylcobal group and Yiqi Huayu Recipe group. Surgery was performed on rats of untreated group, Methylcobal group and Yiqi Huayu Recipe group to place a micro-silica gel on right L₄ DRG, while control group received skin and paravertebral muscle incision only. Rats in Methylcobal group and Yiqi Huayu Recipe group were given Methylcobal by intramuscular injection and Yiqi Huayu Recipe intragastrically respectively. Rats in control group and untreated group received saline intragastrically as equal amount as Yiqi Huayu Recipe group. The compressed nerve roots were harvested at the 10th day after treatment. Apoptosis of DRG neurons was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling. Caspase-3 activity and mRNA expression in compressed nerve roots were detected with spectrophotography and real-time polymerase chain reaction respectively. Apoptosis of DRG neurons was significantly increased in the rat model. The apoptosis index of untreated group was higher than that of control group (P<0.01). Yiqi Huayu Recipe and Methylcobal could reduce the apoptosis of DRG neurons, and both groups showed a lower apoptosis index than untreated group (P<0.01). Caspase-3 activity and its gene expression were significantly increased in untreated group. The levels of caspase-3 activity and its gene expression in untreated group were higher than those in control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Yiqi Huayu Recipe and Methylcobal could reduce the overexpression of caspase-3 mRNA, and statistically significant differences were found between the untreated group and Yiqi Huayu Recipe group or Methylcobal group (P<0.01). Lumbar nerve root compression results in overexpression of caspase-3 in nerve root tissue and increase of DRG neuron apoptosis. Yiqi Huayu Recipe can inhibit the overexpression of caspase-3 and alleviate the apoptosis of DRG neurons after nerve injury.