Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41929429›Full record

ReviewOncoTargets and therapy2026

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cushing's Syndrome: A Narrative Review of Pathophysiology and Potential Therapeutic Effects.

Baojiang Chen, Cong He, Lichao Han, Hejie Wang, Yijia Ma, Rui Wang, Xiaojun Cai

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in OncoTargets and therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Baojiang ChenHeilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150040, People's Republic of China.
Cong HeHeilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150040, People's Republic of China.ORCID 0009-0004-5862-0234
Lichao HanHeilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150040, People's Republic of China.
Hejie WangHarbin Normal University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150025, People's Republic of China.
Yijia MaHeilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150040, People's Republic of China.
Rui WangHeilongjiang Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150020, People's Republic of China.
Xiaojun CaiHeilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150040, People's Republic of China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This article employs a narrative review approach to systematically elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of Cushing Syndrome (CS), with a particular focus on exploring the theoretical foundations, clinical applications, and future directions of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in its treatment. CS is an endocrine disorder caused by chronic excessive cortisol secretion, with dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis at its core. The article first outlines the epidemiological characteristics, pathophysiological mechanisms (including abnormalities in the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and autocrine/paracrine dysregulation), and genetic basis (such as mutations in ARMC5, PRKACA, and other genes) of CS. Regarding diagnosis, it reviews the application of clinical symptom evaluation, biochemical tests (eg, dexamethasone suppression tests), and imaging techniques (eg, MRI, CT). The core of this review lies in its systematic evaluation of TCM's comprehensive strategies in treating CS. It provides a detailed analysis of the clinical application of TCM, including herbal formulations (eg, Buzhong Yiqi Decoction, Xiaoyao Powder variations), non-pharmacological therapies (eg, acupuncture, tuina), and integrated approaches, while summarizing potential evidence of their efficacy in alleviating symptoms, modulating immunity, and improving quality of life. Concurrently, it points out that the field currently lacks high-quality clinical research support, and that the mechanisms of action and standardized treatment protocols require further investigation. Finally, the article looks forward to the prospects of integrating TCM with modern medicine in treating CS, as well as future directions in basic research, clinical trials, and international collaboration. The aim is to provide a theoretical basis and practical reference for the treatment of CS with TCM.

Indexed as

ACTHcomprehensive treatment of traditional Chinese medicineCushing’s syndromehypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axispathophysiological mechanism

Identifiers

PMID41929429
PMCPMC13038416

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.