Letter to the Editor
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 14, 2025; 31(18): 103754
Published online May 14, 2025. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i18.103754
Potential of traditional Chinese medicine in managing and preventing Helicobacter pylori infection in Chinese military
Hengrui Liu, Ren-Jun Gu, Chen Li, Jin-Xiang Wang, Chang-Sheng Dong
Hengrui Liu, Cancer Research Institute, Jinan University, Guangzhou 518000, Guangdong Province, China
Hengrui Liu, Department of Research, Yinuo Biomedical Co., Ltd, Tianjin 061102, China
Ren-Jun Gu, School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu Province, China
Ren-Jun Gu, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu Province, China
Chen Li, Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
Jin-Xiang Wang, Department of Urology, Kidney and Urology Center, Pelvic Floor Disorders Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong Province, China
Chang-Sheng Dong, Cancer Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Department of Oncology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
Co-first authors: Hengrui Liu and Ren-Jun Gu.
Co-corresponding authors: Jin-Xiang Wang and Chang-Sheng Dong.
Author contributions: Liu H contribute equally to this study as co-first authors; Wang JX and Dong CS contribute equally to this study as co-corresponding authors; Liu H drafted the paper; Gu RJ, Li C, Wang JX, and Dong CS edited the paper; Wang JX acquired funding to support this study.
Supported by Shenzhen Science and Technology Program, No. RCBS20231211090733052 and No. JCYJ20240813150221028; Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation, No. 2023A1515111044; and Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF, No. GZC20233233.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There is no conflict of interest.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Chang-Sheng Dong, Cancer Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Department of Oncology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 725 Wanping Road, Shanghai 200032, China. csdong@shutcm.edu.cn
Received: November 29, 2024
Revised: March 9, 2025
Accepted: March 26, 2025
Published online: May 14, 2025
Processing time: 165 Days and 15.1 Hours
Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is prevalent among Chinese military personnel, with regional rates exceeding 40%, and is a well-established risk factor for gastric cancer. Addressing this infection is vital for improving soldiers' health and operational readiness while reducing the long-term healthcare burden. This commentary explores the feasibility and advantages of incorporating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) into strategies for managing and preventing H. pylori infections within the military. TCM offers a multi-target mechanism that not only combats bacterial infections but also enhances gastrointestinal health and boosts immunity, making it particularly effective in high-stress environments like the military. Unlike antibiotics, TCM is less likely to induce resistance even with large-scale use, providing a sustainable treatment option. Its affordability and cultural acceptance among Chinese personnel further enhance its feasibility. Additionally, TCM's history in military medicine supports its credibility, and its flexibility allows for personalized treatment tailored to individual soldiers' needs. TCM's convenient storage and deployment make it ideal for remote and challenging environments. Integrating TCM into military healthcare systems could provide a holistic, cost-effective, and sustainable approach to managing H. pylori infections, reducing prevalence and associated risks such as gastric cancer. Future research and pilot programs are essential to validate TCM's effectiveness and implementation in military settings.

Keywords: Traditional Chinese medicine; Helicobacter pylori; Infection; Chinese; Military

Core Tip: Integrating traditional Chinese medicine into military healthcare systems could provide a holistic, cost-effective, and sustainable approach to managing Helicobacter pylori infections, reducing prevalence and associated risks such as gastric cancer.