This meta-analysis analyzed the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). We searched seven electronic databases for randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of TCM in the treatment of IBS-C. The search period was from inception to June 1, 2017. Eligible RCTs compared TCM with cisapride and mosapride. Article quality was evaluated with the Cochrane Risk Bias Tool in the Cochrane Handbook by two independent reviewers. Begg’s test was performed to evaluate publication bias. Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 12.0 were used for analyses. Eleven eligible studies comprising a total of 906 participants were identified. In the primary outcome, TCM showed significant improvement in overall clinical efficacy compared with cisapride and mosapride (odds ratio [OR] = 4.00; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.74,5.84; P < 0.00001). In terms of secondary outcomes, TCM significantly alleviated abdominal pain (OR = 5.69; 95% CI: 2.35, 13.78; P = 0.0001), defecation frequency (OR = 4.38; 95% CI: 1.93, 9.93. P = 0.0004), and stool form (OR = 4.96; 95% CI: 2.11, 11.65; P = 0.0002) in the treatment group as compared to the control group. A lower recurrence rate was associated with TCM as compared to cisapride and mosapride (OR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.27; P < 0.00001). No adverse effects were observed during TCM treatment. TCM showed greater improvement in terms of clinical efficacy in the treatment of IBS-C than cisapride and mosapride, although it was not possible to draw a definitive conclusion due to the small sample size, high risk, and low quality of the studies. Large multi-center and long-term high-quality randomized control trials are needed.

Although clinical studies have found that Chinese patent medicine FuZheng HuaYu tablet/capsule can promote the reversal of HBV-related liver fibrosis, not all sufferers have histopathological responses. This study aims to explore the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes and response to entecavir + FuZheng HuaYu (ETV + FZHY) in patients with HBV-related liver fibrosis. This a multi-center cross-sectional study. According to the different treatment strategies that sufferers have ever received, a total of 437 cases were included and divided into ETV + FZHY group and ETV + placebo group. And based on the relevant efficacy determination criteria, the two groups were subdivided into efficacy responders and non-responders. Then, TCM clinical questionnaire information of these patients were collected for subsequent analysis to acquire relevant syndrome elements and TCM syndromes. No matter what group was, the first three frequency of TCM pathological position in efficacy responders were as follows: Liver > Spleen > Stomach (TCM concepts). As for the ETV + FZHY group, the first three frequency of pathological nature was ranked as Qi deficiency > Dampness > Heat. Compared with the non-responders, the frequency of Spleen, Stomach, Qi deficiency, Heat, and Qi movement stagnation was significantly increased in the efficacy responders (P < 0.05). In terms of TCM syndromes, the frequency increase of Syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency (LDSD), in the efficacy responders, changed more obviously than the non-responders (Chi² = 6.32, P = 0.0006). TCM syndrome elements of Spleen, Stomach, Qi deficiency, Heat, and Qi movement stagnation were closely associated with efficacy responders with HBV-related liver fibrosis in the ETV + FZHY group. Moreover, LDSD was a primary TCM syndrome in these responders.

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), affecting approximately 20–30% in high-risk populations, contributes to significant morbidity and mortality due to its progression to gastric cancer. Despite two decades of research into its pathogenesis, the vast body of literature has not yet been systematically mapped. A comprehensive bibliometric analysis mapping the field’s evolution, collaborative networks, and knowledge gaps remains lacking. Therefore, we conduct a 20-year bibliometric analysis (2005–2024) of research on the mechanism of CAG to identify seminal works, emerging themes, evaluate global collaboration networks, and highlight translational challenges and opportunities. Data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) spanning from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2024. Bibliometric analysis was performed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer to analyze publication trends, influential authors and institutions, keyword clusters, and citation bursts. A total of 954 papers were identified, with China leading in publication output (41.51%), followed by the USA (15.20%). The USA demonstrated high centrality in international collaboration. Key journals included WORLD J GASTROENTERO and GASTROENTEROLOGY. Prolific authors such as Liu Yuetao and co-cited authors like CORREA P were identified. Keyword analysis revealed “Helicobacter pylori” as the most prominent term, with clusters focusing on traditional Chinese medicine, macrophage biology, and gastric intestinal metaplasia. The study highlights the significant research output and collaboration in CAG, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and international partnerships. Future research should focus on integrating traditional knowledge with modern mechanistic studies and addressing emerging themes such as microbiome dysbiosis and precision medicine.

Background and Purpose: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), affecting between 20% and 30% of adults around the world, represents a growing public health burden characterized by hepatic steatosis concurrent with cardiometabolic risk factors. Despite two decades of research into its pathophysiology-spanning insulin resistance, gut-liver axis dysregulation, and genetic/epigenetic mechanisms-the vast body of literature has not yet been systematically mapped. A comprehensive bibliometric analysis mapping the field's evolution, collaborative networks, and knowledge gaps remains lacking. Therefore, a 20-year bibliometric analysis (2005-2024) on the mechanism of MASLD was conducted. Patients and Methods: Publications on the mechanisms of MASLD were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. The search period spanned from January 1st, 2005 to December 31st, 2024. Data were analyzed with CiteSpace (v6.3.R1) and VOSviewer (v1.6.20) to assess publication trends, country/institution contributions, journal influence, author networks, keyword clusters, and reference co-citations. Results: China (40.75% of publications, n=4368) and the USA (21.18%, n=2270) dominate research output, with the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Harvard University as top institutions. International collaboration is prominent, particularly between China and the USA. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Nutrients, and high-impact journals (Journal of Hepatology, IF=33.0) are key publication venues. Keyword analysis identifies five major research clusters: (1) lipid metabolism/mitochondrial dysfunction, (2) dietary factors/exercise, (3) inflammation/fibrosis, (4) metabolic comorbidities, and (5) gut-liver axis dysregulation. Temporal trends reveal a shift from insulin resistance/oxidative stress toward microbiota and molecular drivers (eg, WDR6-PPP1CB). Influential authors include Nobili Valerio (most productive) and Gerald I. Shulman (most cited; n=7703). Reference bursts highlight seminal works on disease burden (Younossi 2016) and pathogenesis (Powell 2021, Friedman 2018). Conclusion: This first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of MASLD mechanisms highlights dynamic growth, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evolving research hotspot. Persistent challenges include mechanistic heterogeneity, early diagnostic tools, and targeted therapies. In conclusion, this analysis provides a foundational roadmap for researchers and policymakers, highlighting the imperative to translate mechanistic insights into precision diagnostics and therapies to mitigate the growing global burden of MASLD.

BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis is a common endpoint of chronic liver diseases. Linoleic acid (LA) has attracted growing interest as a potential determinant of fibrogenesis, yet its research structure and translational priorities remain unmapped. AIM: To map how global research on LA in liver fibrosis evolved from 1990 to 2025 and to translate bibliometric signals into testable hypotheses and a prioritized agenda for clinical investigation. METHODS: We searched Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed for English-language studies (1990-2025) on LA or its metabolites in liver fibrogenesis. Following PRISMA 2020 screening, 209 records were analyzed with CiteSpace and VOSviewer for co-authorship, co-citation, keyword co-occurrence, cluster, and burst detection. RESULTS: Annual output increased steadily over the study period. China (51/209, 24.4%) and the United States (47/209, 22.5%) contributed most; the USA showed the highest betweenness centrality (0.64) as the main collaboration hub. Themes evolved from toxicological models (1990-2005) through NAFLD/NASH mechanisms (2005-2020) to HCC/gut microbiota frontiers (2020-2025). Four knowledge gaps emerged: absent dose-response data, poorly characterized LA-microbiota crosstalk, unvalidated LA-derived biomarkers (HODEs), and unresolved optimal n-6/n-3 ratio. Six prioritized actions followed, including a prospective MASLD cohort (n≥500), a phase IIa low-LA/ω-3 dietary RCT (n=120), HODE biomarker validation, germ-free models, dose-response meta-analysis, and living bibliometric surveillance. CONCLUSION: This first systematic map of the LA-fibrosis landscape reveals a persistent translational gap between mechanistic research and clinical application. Rather than establishing causality, it generates testable hypotheses on LA dose-response, LA-microbiota interactions, and HODE biomarkers, which require confirmation before dietary recommendations can be made.