Background: To explore the immediate effects and mechanism of acupuncture on craving after tobacco cessation based on the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF). Methods: This was a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study. Forty participants were recruited and divided into a smoking group and a non-smoking group, 20 cases in each one. The smoking participants were requested to quit smoking 24 hours before the fMRI scan. The scan process was scan – acupuncture – scan. Between the two scans, acupuncture was applied at Lieque (LU 7), Hegu (LI 4), Baihui (GV 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) in two groups. Results: After acupuncture, self-made craving for smoking, Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) and Questionnaire of Smoking Urges (QSU) were all reduced (P<0.05). The fMRI results indicated the immediate effects of acupuncture on smoking craving were significant, and identified salience network (SN) consisted of anterior cingulate cortex and insula, prefrontal cortex, visual cortex and cerebellum as key brains area. Correlation analysis indicated that NWNS scores were positively correlated with the mean fALFF in the ACC (P<0.05) and negatively correlated with the mean fALFF in the insula (P<0.05) in the smoking group. Conclusions: This was the first study in China to explore the neural mechanisms of acupuncture for smoking craving. The results indicated that the effects of acupuncture on smoking craving were significant, and the SN played a critical role in the process.

Fuzheng Xiaojijinzhan (FZXJJZF) decoction is an effective prescription for treating colorectal cancer liver metastasis (LMCRC). To elucidate the pharmacological mechanism of the FZXJJZF decoction therapy on LMCRC. Firstly, a network pharmacological approach was used to characterize the underlying targets of FZXJJZF on LMCRC. Secondly, LMCRC-related genes are obtained from the public database TCGA, and those genes are further screened and clustered through Mfuzz, an R package tool. Then, targets of FZXJJZF predicted by network pharmacology were overlapped with LMCRC related genes screened by Mfuzz. Meanwhile, FZJZXJF intervened in LMCRC model,epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and migration and invasion of HCT-116 cells. Thirdly, the transcriptomics data of FZJZXJF inhibited HCT-116 cells of EMT cells were overlapped with EMT database data to narrow the possible range of targets. Based on this, the potential targets and signal pathways of FZJZXJF were speculated by combining the transcriptomics data with the targets from network pharmacology-TCGA. Finally, the anti-cancer mechanism of FZXJJZF on LMCRC was verified in vitro by Real-Time PCR and Western Blot in vitro. By network pharmacological analysis, 282 ingredients and 429 potential targets of FZXJJZF were predicted. The 9268 LMCRC-related genes in the TCGA database were classified into 10 clusters by the Mfuzz. The two clustering genes with the most similar clustering trends were overlapped with 429 potential targets, and 32 genes were found, such as CD34, TRPV3, PGR, VDR, etc. In vivo experiments, FZJZXJF inhibited the tumor size in LMCRC models, and the EMT, migration, and invasion of HCT-116 also be inhibited. Intersecting transcriptomics dates with 32 target genes, it is speculated that the VDR-TGF-β signaling pathway may be an effective mechanism of FZXJJZF. Additionally, it is shown that FZXJJZF up-regulated the expression levels of VDR and E-cadherin and down-regulated the expression levels of TGF-β and Snail1 in vitro. These results confirmed that FZXJJZF plays an effective role in LMCRC mainly by inhibiting EMT phenotype via the VDR-TGF-β signaling pathway. Collectively, this study reveals the anti-LMCRC effect of FZXJJZF and its potential therapeutic mechanism from the perspective of potential targets and potential pathways.

Citrus folium and its main ingredient nobiletin (NOB) have received widespread attention in recent years due to their antitumor effects. The antitumor effect of Citrus folium is related to the traditional use, mainly in its Chinese medicinal properties of soothing the liver and promoting qi, resolving phlegm, and dispelling stagnation. Some studies have proved that Citrus folium and NOB are more effective for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is related to the syndrome of stagnation of liver qi. From the perspective of modern biomedical research, NOB has anticancer effects. Its potential molecular mechanisms include inhibition of the cell cycle, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of angiogenesis, invasion, and migration. Citrus folium and NOB can also reduce the side effects of chemotherapy drugs and reverse multidrug resistance (MDR). However, more research studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms. The modern evidence of Citrus folium and NOB in breast cancer treatment has a strong connection with the traditional concepts and laws of applying Citrus folium in Chinese medicine (CM). As a low-toxic anticancer drug candidate, NOB and its structural changes, Citrus folium, and compound prescriptions will attract scientists to use advanced technologies such as genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to study its potential anticancer effects and mechanisms. On the contrary, there are relatively few studies on the anticancer effects of Citrus folium and NOB in vivo. The clinical application of Citrus folium and NOB as new cancer treatment drugs requires in vivo verification and further anticancer mechanism research. This review aims to provide reference for the treatment of breast cancer by Chinese medicine.

Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Fuzheng Xiaoji granule in patients with stage IIIC colorectal cancer. Methods. A total of 150 patients with stage IIIC colorectal cancer treated in Shanghai Ruijin Hospital from January 2019 to January 2022 were selected. They were divided into treatment and control groups according to a 2 : 1 random number table. There were 100 cases in the treatment group and 50 cases in the control group. The treatment group was administered Fuzheng Xiaoji (FZXJ) granule, and the control group was administered the placebo orally. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS). In addition, after 6 months, the changes in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) symptom score (fatigue, emotional depression, chest tightness, insomnia, anorexia, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, soreness and weakness in the waist and legs, chills, and dysphoria in the chest, palm, and soles) were compared. Results. The DFS was 34.37 ± 2.91 months in the control group and 37.0 ± 1.08 months in the treatment group ( ). Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed less fatigue, abdominal distension, and soreness and weakness in the waist and legs ( ), significantly. The scores of emotional depression and anorexia decreased obviously, with a significant difference between the control and treatment groups ( ). There were no significant differences between the control and treatment groups in the incidence of chest tightness, insomnia, abdominal pain, chills, and dysphoria in the chest, palm, and soles ( ). Conclusion. Fuzheng Xiaoji granule can improve patients’ symptoms and prolong the DFS.