Polivanova TV, Kasparov EV, Vshivkov VA. Letter to the Editor: Chaihu-Shugan-San in the treatment of atrophic gastritis. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(39): 122644 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.122644]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Tamara V Polivanova, MD, PhD, Professor, Clinical Division of Digestive System Pathology in Adults and Children, Federal Research Center (Krasnoyarsk Science Center) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences - Scientific Research Institute for Medical Problems of the North, Partizana Zheleznyaka St 3G, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia. tamara-polivanova@yandex.ru
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Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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letter
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Polivanova TV, Kasparov EV, Vshivkov VA. Letter to the Editor: Chaihu-Shugan-San in the treatment of atrophic gastritis. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(39): 122644 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.122644]
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2026; 32(39): 122644 Published online Oct 21, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.122644
Letter to the Editor: Chaihu-Shugan-San in the treatment of atrophic gastritis
Tamara V Polivanova, Edward V Kasparov, Vitaliy A Vshivkov
Tamara V Polivanova, Vitaliy A Vshivkov, Clinical Division of Digestive System Pathology in Adults and Children, Federal Research Center (Krasnoyarsk Science Center) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences - Scientific Research Institute for Medical Problems of the North, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia
Edward V Kasparov, Department of Administration, Federal Research Center (Krasnoyarsk Science Center) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences - Scientific Research Institute for Medical Problems of the North, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia
Co-corresponding authors: Tamara V Polivanova and Vitaliy A Vshivkov.
Author contributions: Polivanova TV and Vshivkov VA contribute equally to this study as co-corresponding authors; Polivanova TV, Kasparov EV, and Vshivkov VA contributed to writing of the manuscript.
AI contribution statement: No AI tool was involved in the generation of research data, interpretation of results, or formulation of conclusions.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Corresponding author: Tamara V Polivanova, MD, PhD, Professor, Clinical Division of Digestive System Pathology in Adults and Children, Federal Research Center (Krasnoyarsk Science Center) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences - Scientific Research Institute for Medical Problems of the North, Partizana Zheleznyaka St 3G, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia. tamara-polivanova@yandex.ru
Received: April 24, 2026 Revised: June 6, 2026 Accepted: June 12, 2026 Published online: October 21, 2026 Processing time: 135 Days and 18 Hours
Abstract
Chronic atrophic gastritis, a recognized precursor of gastric cancer (GC), represents a highly relevant clinical issue. Early diagnosis and prevention are effective in reducing its incidence. An experimental animal study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology conducted by Song et al using traditional Chinese medicine and the Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS) herbal mixture in the treatment of atrophic gastritis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine showed impressive and promising results. Normalization of structural changes in atrophic gastritis was observed, including an increase in the thickness of the gastric mucosa and quantitative indices of gastric glands. A positive effect on the course of inflammation in the gastric mucosa was observed. Song et al identified specific interactions between CSS components and key targets, primarily the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, which is characterized by abnormal activity during inflammation and carcinogenesis. However, inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway leads to immunosuppression, which may negatively impact antitumor immunity. Thus, the study by Song et al offers real breakthrough prospects for the treatment of atrophic gastritis and prevention of GC using a traditional Chinese herbal mixture (CSS), taking into account the potential for assessing the state of immune defense under conditions of NF-κB pathway inhibition.
Core Tip: In their experimental article, Song et al presented results demonstrating the high efficacy of the traditional Chinese herbal mixture Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS). They identified specific interactions between CSS components and key targets. Particular emphasis was placed on inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway by CSS, accompanied by regression of inflammatory and structural changes in the gastric mucosa in N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced atrophic gastritis. Research using this traditional Chinese herbal mixture offers significant potential and a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer.
