A correlational study of Weifuchun and its clinical effect on intestinal flora in precancerous lesions of gastric cancer

Abstract

Background Weifuchun (WFC), a Chinese herbal prescription consisting of Red Ginseng, Isodon amethystoides and Fructus Aurantii, is commonly used in China to treat a variety of chronic stomach disorders. The aim of the paper was to determine the effect of WFC on intestinal microbiota changes in precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC) patients. Methods PLGC patients of H. pylori negative were randomly divided into two groups and received either WFC tablets for a dose of 1.44 g three times a day or vitacoenzyme (Vit) tablets for a dose of 0.8 g three times a day. All patients were treated for 6 months consecutively. Gastroscopy and histopathology were used to assess the histopathological changes in gastric tissues before and after treatment. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was carried out to assess the effects WFC on intestinal microbiota changes in PLGC patients. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis was used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of different intestinal microbiota in distinguishing between PLGC patients and healthy control group. Results Gastroscopy and histopathological results indicated that WFC could improve the pathological condition of PLGC patients, especially in the case of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that WFC could regulate microbial diversity, microbial composition, and abundance of the intestinal microbiota of PLGC patients. Following WFC treatment, the relative abundance of Parabacteroides decreased in WFC group when compared with the Vit group. ROC analysis found that the Parabacteroides could effectively distinguish PLGC patients from healthy individuals with sensitivity of 0.79 and specificity of 0.8. Conclusions WFC could slow down the progression of PLGC by regulating intestinal microbiota abundance. Trial registration NCT03814629. Name of registry: Randomized Clinical Trial: Weifuchun Treatment on Precancerous Lesions of Gastric Cancer. Registered 3 August 2018-Retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/ NCT03814629.

Efficacy and safety of Weifuchun tablet for chronic atrophic gastritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Three studies [ 29 , 32 , 35 ] used the method of random number tables. Yanqin Bian [ 34 ] used the method of Computer-generated randomization, but the other studies [ 21 – 28 , 30 , 31 , 33 ] just described “randomization”. Three studies reported “double-blind” methods [ 25 , 31 , 34 ], and the study of Yanqin Bian [ 34 ] was the only one that elaborated on how to blind and allocate concealment.…”

Traditional Chinese medicine for transformation of gastric precancerous lesions to gastric cancer: A critical review

“…Taking WFC as an example, compared with vitacoenzyme (Vit), the total effective rates of the WFC and Vit groups in alleviating the degree of atrophy were 80.00% and 23.33%, respectively. The total effective rates of relieving IM in the WFC and Vit groups were 73.33% and 26.67%, respectively[ 16 ]. Notably, primary outcome measures, such as overall survival and 5-year survival rates, were employed in majority of these trials.…”

“…Inflammation, angiogenesis, and proliferation are the three most important histological features of the transformation from GPL to GC[ 12 - 14 ]. Chronic inflammation is the core driver of GC[ 15 , 16 ]. Inflammation promotes angiogenesis, and its progression depends on the speed of angiogenesis[ 17 , 18 ].…”

“…For instance, WFC is a Chinese herbal compound approved by the National Medical Products Administration to treat GPL. Clinical trials have shown that WFC can significantly improve the pathological conditions of patients with GPL compared to vitamin C, especially in the case of atrophy or IM[ 16 ]. Moreover, with the advantages of TCM in precancerous lesions and GC, TCM has received increasing attention, and a growing number of clinical studies have been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, such as the Jianpi Yangzheng Xiaozheng decoction (NCT03823248) and Yiqi Wenyang Jiedu decoction (NCT05229809).…”

The Effect of Citrus aurantium on Non‐Small‐Cell Lung Cancer: A Research Based on Network and Experimental Pharmacology

“…In addition, studies have shown that Citrus aurantium also has potential therapeutic effects on cardiovascular disease and cancer [ 19 ]. Weifuchun tablet is a proprietary Chinese medicine containing three Chinese herbs, namely, red ginseng, Isodon amethystoides, and Citrus aurantium , to relieve precancerous lesions of gastric cancer by regulating intestinal microbial balance and treating atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (IM) [ 20 ]. The above studies show that Citrus aurantium is a good anticancer herbal medicine, but the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of Citrus aurantium on NSCLC have not been reported yet and deserve further study.…”