Qi-Yan Bian, Yu-Lian Tong, The First Clinical College, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110032, Liaoning Province, China
Yang-Yang Deng, Hong-Xin Zheng, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110032, Liaoning Province, China
Jing-Dong Xiao, Party Committee Office, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110032, Liaoning Province, China
Co-corresponding authors: Hong-Xin Zheng and Jing-Dong Xiao.
Author contributions: Zheng HX and Xiao JD contribute equally to this study as co-corresponding authors; Bian QY, Tong YL, and Deng YY wrote the entire manuscript; and Xiao JD and Zheng HX revised and reviewed the final article.
AI contribution statement: No AI tools were used in the writing or data analysis of this manuscript. All content was independently completed by the authors.
Supported by 2024 National Science and Technology Major Project, No. 2024ZD0521002; 2022 National Project for the Construction of Inheritance Studios of Renowned Veteran Traditional Chinese Medicine Experts; and Liaoning Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Team.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Corresponding author: Hong-Xin Zheng, PhD, Professor, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 79 Chongshan East Road, Shenyang 110032, Liaoning Province, China. zhenghx2002@126.com
Received: July 6, 2026 Revised: August 14, 2026 Accepted: October 22, 2026 Published online: December 15, 2026 Processing time: 128 Days and 6.7 Hours
Abstract
Compound formulas containing Hedyotis diffusa (H. diffusa) have shown preliminary promise in slowing gastric intestinal metaplasia progression in small-scale clinical studies, potentially via NF-κB/NLRP3, PI3K/AKT, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. However, it is critical to emphasize that nearly all clinical and mechanistic evidence derives from multi-herb preparations rather than the single herb; therefore, the independent efficacy of H. diffusa alone remains unestablished. This review synthesizes current evidence on these formulas.
Core Tip: Compound Hedyotis diffusa (H. diffusa) formulations show initial promise in ameliorating gastric intestinal metaplasia. Mechanistic studies converge on NF-κB/NLRP3, PI3K/AKT, and Wnt/β-catenin as candidate pathways. However, the exact molecular architecture—particularly primary targets and network-level logic—remains unresolved. Most importantly, current evidence cannot distinguish H. diffusa effects from other components in multi-herb formulas.
