The traditional Chinese medicine formulation Ruanjian Sanjie Decoction regulates the tumor matrix and improves the anti-tumor efficacy of TP-PEG-LPs

The Ruanjian Sanjie Decoction (RSD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation consisting of Spica Prunellae, Pseudobulbus Cremastrae Seu Pleiones, Concha Ostreae and Semen Coicis, and widely used as an adjuvant in anti-cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of RSD on the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tumors, and on the efficacy of anti-cancer nano-formulations in a tumor-bearing mouse model. The mice were treated with triptolide encapsulated in PEG-modified liposomes (TP-PEG-LPs), either alone or in combination with RSD. The combination treatment significantly retarded tumor growth relative to the untreated controls, indicating the potent adjuvant effect of RSD in targeted anti-cancer therapy. In addition, RSD also reduced the amount of total collagen and collagen I and increased that of collagen III in the tumor ECM, along with decreasing the expression of the pro-angiogenic VEGF. Finally, even high doses of RSD did not significantly affect the liver and kidney function or body weight, indicating low toxicity.

Chinese patent medicines with function of resolving hard lump for cyclomastopathy: network Meta-analysis / 中国中药杂志

This systematic review aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicines with resolving hard lump function for the treatment of cyclomastopathy. We searched CNKI, WanFang, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase, and The Cochrane Library from the inception to January 3 2018, to collect the randomized controlled trials（RCTs）on Chinese patent medicines with resolving hard lump function in treating cyclomastopathy. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then, statistical analysis was performed by using Stata 12.0 and WinBUGS 1.4.3 software. A total of 52 RCTs involving 9 605 patients were finally included. The inventions included 11 commercial Chinese patent medicines with functions of resolving hard lump, such as Rupi Sanjie Capsules, Xiaoru Sanjie Capsules, Ruhe Sanjie Pills, and Hongjin Xiaojie Capsules. The result of direct Meta-analysis showed that: as compared with the simple western medicine group, the Chinese patent medicines such as Hongjin Xiaojie Capsules, Ruhe Sanjie Pills, Rupi Sanjie Capsules, Xiaoru Sanjie Capsules and Xiakucao Oral Liquid could significantly improve the clinical efficacy. In addition, the incidence of adverse reactions of Chinese patent medicines with resolving hard lump function was lower than that in Western medicine group in gastrointestinal reactions, menstrual disorders, leucorrhea abnormalities, liver dysfunction and estrogen-like effect. The network Meta-analysis showed that: Xiaoru Sanjie Capsules, Ruhe Sanjie Pills, Yanlu Rukang Capsules, Quyu Sanjie Capsules, and Hongjin Xiaojie Capsules were the top five in terms of treatment effect. Chinese patent medicines with resolving hard lump function had better clinical efficacy. Due to the low quality of included studies， more high quality RCTs are needed to verify the above conclusion.