Traditional Chinese Medicine Classics Research Articles

The Antioxidant Action of Astragali radix: Its Active Components and Molecular Basis.

Astragali radix is a traditional medicinal herb with a long history and wide application. It is frequently used in prescriptions with other medicinal materials to replenish Qi. According to the classics of traditional Chinese medicine, Astragali radix is attributed with properties such as Qi replenishing and surface solidifying, sore healing and muscle generating, and inducing diuresis to reduce edema. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that some extracts and active ingredients in Astragali radix function as antioxidants. The polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids in Astragali radix offer beneficial effects in preventing and controlling diseases caused by oxidative stress. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive research on the effective components and molecular mechanisms through which Astragali radix exerts antioxidant activity. In this paper, we review the active components with antioxidant effects in Astragali radix; summarize the content, bioavailability, and antioxidant mechanisms; and offer a reference for the clinical application of Astragalus and the future development of novel antioxidants.

What can traditional plant therapy do in the face of Covid-19? Examples from traditional Chinese medicine.

Until June 2022, more than 540.9 million people had been diagnosed with COVID-19, and the pandemic had claimed more than six million lives worldwide. Two years after fighting the virus, we faced a more uncertain position. SARS-CoV-2 is constantly mutating and reappears regularly, particularly with Omicron variants showing high genetic variation and immune escape mechanisms. The efficacy and duration of protection of existing vaccines against new variants of SARS-CoV-2 remains uncertain. The world needs time to develop new variant-specific drugs, including monoclonal topics, vaccines, and other antiviral drugs, to fight the epidemic. The aim of this study was to illustrate the scientific, effective and systematic nature of three classical prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of COVID-19 through comparison of disease symptoms, diagnostic process, and treatment methods and evidence-based and pharmacological studies. We analysed the "Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia" (Version 9) made by China, "WHO-2019-nCoV-therapeutics", "Therapeutic Guidelines" published by Australian Therapeutic Guidelines Limited, "Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Febrile Diseases)", "Jinkui Yaolue (Golden Chamber Synopsis), and "Wenyi Lun (The Epidemic Febrile Disease)". We manually retrieved the dictionary of traditional Chinese medicine (Version II). In addition, we searched the Wiley online library, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), VIP, WHO website, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for relevant literature from 2001 to 2022. We searched the original plants, ingredients, pharmacology, functions and indications, usage and dosage, drug efficacy, literature sources, and conduct an evidence-based studies. We quantified the strength of pharmacological action to show the pertinence of disease development. We found that the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary infection caused by epidemic disease in TCM classics is consistent with the diagnostic process of modern medical therapeutic guidelines. The three classic prescriptions have significant symptomatic therapeutic effects on the respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary and hematological symptoms of the clinical manifestations of COVID-19. It was found that the herbal functional group of Houpo (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis), Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri), Cangzhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), etc showed strong anti-inflammatory activity and had a positive effect on treating and preventing the outbreaks of systemic inflammatory factors. TCM can obtain obvious curative effect in symptomatic treatment, has strong anti-inflammatory effect, and can effectively reduce symptoms and patients' pain.

Sociocognitive terminology-based principles for translating the classics of traditional Chinese medicine

The classics of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) contain terminology that is challenging to translate from the Ancient Chinese language into modern English and other target languages. In this paper, we introduce the main principles of sociocognitive terminology theory and examine how the application of these principles in TCM translation projects can produce superior results. To begin our study, we evaluate the salient characteristics of important TCM terms from linguistic, cognitive, diachronic, and communicative perspectives. Next, we present a model for realizing the objectives of linguistic economy, systematic relevance, conceptual retrospection, and knowledge dissemination in sociocognitive translation studies. Finally, to illustrate the practicality of this four-dimensional model, we present a case study on sociocognitive translation of the TCM classic 黄帝内经 (Huangdi Neijing or The Inner Canon of Huangdi), which was compiled during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE). In summary, we find that this model effectively addresses the complexities of TCM terminology and provides solutions to problems involving conceptual connotation, symbolic representation, and communicative context. Following this approach, translators will be better able to convey the profoundly humanistic nature of TCM concepts, significantly improve the quality of TCM translations, and promote TCM and Chinese culture internationally.

Shen in Acupuncture for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is one of the major complaints from patients seen in all acupuncture clinics. The most common principle to treat pain with acupuncture is to activate channels to relieve pain; however, little attention has been paid to treating the patient’s shen when treating their pain. This article is an introduction to the incorporation of the treatment of shen when treating chronic pain with acupuncture. The discussion of the shen and its treatments in this article are based on the review and study of the theories and principles in the ancient classics of traditional Chinese medicine. Shen is the interaction between yin and yang. Shen is the governor of life; it controls all physical and mental activities. Shen enables us to feel pain. The disorders of shen in pain sufferers can negatively affect how they feel or recognize pain, how they response to pain and how they report their pain level. We should pay more attention to the treatment of patient’s shen during the entire treatment course of chronic pain. Guarding shen is the key to acupuncture efficacy; the essential principles are harmonizing yin and yang by needling techniques and regulating hun and po at the needling sites.

A Study on the Connotation of Chinese Traditional Culture of Life Nourishing and Its Overseas Translation and Dissemination

The Chinese culture of life nourishing has a long history and is an important part of the excellent Chinese traditional culture. However, the theoretical discussion on culture of life nourishing is still insufficient, and the research on the culture of life nourishing and the history of terminology translation lags behind. Through the theoretical tracing of the origin of culture of life nourishing in philosophical classics, medical classics of traditional Chinese medicine and classics of Chinese alchemy, the research on its connotation is strengthened in this paper. Through the analysis of historical materials of English translation of key terms, the history and current situation of translation of Chinese traditional culture of life nourishing are discussed, and its overseas dissemination and acceptance are investigated from the perspective of translation and cross-cultural communication. Through the way of descriptive translation, the article points out that the English translation of culture of life nourishing and its terms has changed with the times. Sinologists and scholars have adopted different translation strategies and methods at different historical stages, but in general, domestication is more than foreignization, and transliteration is less. The research on the English translation and communication of culture of life nourishing in the new era can focus on the flexibility and diversity of translation strategies, appropriately increase the translation strategy of foreignization, including annotated transliteration and intra-text annotation. Besides, its ways of multimodal communication, translation and introduction need to be strengthened, so as to constantly display Chinese academic views on the basis of accurately interpreting Chinese traditional culture, and promote wider international exchanges of Chinese traditional culture.

Reception of Translated Classics of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Spanish-speaking World: A Survey of Seven Spanish Versions of Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic)

Previous studies on translations of Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic) have focused on English versions; little attention has been given to non-English translations. The present study is the first investigation of the reception of the seven Spanish versions of Huangdi Neijing in terms of three parameters: collection records in libraries worldwide; book reviews and citation counts in international journals; and customer reviews on Amazon. The results revealed four features of Spanish translations and communication of Huangdi Neijing in terms of reception of academia, reception of general readers, the center of translation and communication, and the role of Chinese scholars. These factors demonstrate the marginal status of Spanish translations of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) classics. The implications are summarized in hopes of promoting the translation and communication of TCM classics in the Spanish-speaking world and to provide insights into the communication of TCM culture in the non-English-speaking world.

Historical Legacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Education in Canada: The Case of Henry C. Lu

This article begins with a review of the publications by Dr. Henry C. Lu, a Canadian-Chinese traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) scholar, educator and writer, and founder of a Vancouver-based TCM college. Dr. Lu has translated many TCM classics and written books extensively on TCM education, TCM clinical practice and Mandarin-Chinese grammar. Aside from his widespread prominence as one of the representative English translators of Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic), Dr. Lu is also noted for his pioneering role in the promotion of TCM education in British Columbia, where he lived and worked for more than half of his life. By making references to and drawing lessons from Dr. Lu’s four-decade-long efforts to help TCM gain legal status and to promote wider application of TCM in Canada, this article also puts forth suggestions for overseas TCM education and international TCM standards for building a global community with a shared future.

From TCM Practice to Classic Texts: The Case of Henry C. Lu’s A Complete Translation of the Yellow Emperor’s Classics of Internal Medicine and the Difficult Classic (Nei-Jing and Nan-Jing)

In memory of Dr. Henry C. Lu, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner, educator and translator, this article provides an overview of his masterpiece A Complete Translation of the Yellow Emperor’s Classics of Internal Medicine and the Difficult Classic (Nei-Jing and Nan-Jing) from the perspectives of book section, translation ideology and translation strategies. We then identify the features of TCM classics translated by overseas TCM practitioners and educators through analyzing exemplary characteristics of this translation. Their translations are often teaching oriented with plain and easy-to-read language, thus making TCM classics practical and applicable in clinic practice. Although these works are found in very few library collections of academic institutions, they received positive comments from readers including foreign TCM practitioners and students.

Historical origin of the "indications of the five-shu" in Nanjing and analysis on the five-elements ideological background

Nanjing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Eighty-one Difficult Issues), as one of the classics of traditional Chinese medicine, is concerned as the supplement and summarization of some theory recorded in the Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor). Five-shu point is one of the commonly used important acupoints, the "indications of the five-shu" raised by Nanjing has been weighing a lot since the beginning, not only in the constructing of acupuncture-moxibustion theory, but in clinical practice. However, "indications of the five-shu" was actually deduced from the five-elements theory in the first place. On the one hand, by analyzing its original idea and method during construction, the fallacies in theoretical building of the "indications of the five-shu" were clarified. On the other hand, under the comparison of Huangdi Neijing and Nanjing, the research argues that the similar texts on the relation of five-shu and seasons have fundamental differences. By a further discussion on the social ideological background of the relation of five-shu points and seasons in Huangdi Neijing, the main problem of the "indications of the five-shu" recorded in Nanjing is put forward, both theoretically and methodologically. In conclusion, the use of theories like the "indications of the five-shu " should be revaluated rather than directly put into practice.

Secondary Metabolites of Osmanthus fragrans: Metabolism and Medicinal Value.

Osmanthus fragrans (scientific name: Osmanthus fragrans (Thunb.) Lour.) is a species of the Osmanthus genus in the family Oleaceae, and it has a long history of cultivation in China. O. fragrans is edible and is well known for conferring a natural fragrance to desserts. This flowering plant has long been cultivated for ornamental purposes. Most contemporary literature related to O. fragrans focuses on its edible value and new species discovery, but the functional use of O. fragrans is often neglected. O, fragrans has many properties that are beneficial to human health, and its roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits have medicinal value. These characteristics are recorded in the classics of traditional Chinese medicine. Studies on the metabolites and medicinal value of O. fragrans published in recent years were used in this study to evaluate the medicinal value of O. fragrans. Using keywords such as metabolites and Osmanthus fragrans, a systematic and nonexhaustive search of articles, papers and books related to the medicinal use of Osmanthus fragrans metabolites was conducted. Fifteen metabolites were identified through this literature search and classified into three categories according to their properties and structure: flavonoids, terpenes and phenolic acids. It was found that the pharmacological activities of these secondary metabolites mainly include antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities and that these metabolites can be used to treat many human diseases, such as cancer, skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases. Most of the reports that are currently available and concern the secondary metabolites of Osmanthus fragrans have limitations. Some reports introduce only the general classification of compounds in Osmanthus fragrans, and some reports introduce only a single compound. In contrast, the introduction section of this paper includes both the category and the functional value of each compound. While reviewing the data for this study, the authors found that the specific action sites of these compounds and their mechanisms of action in plants are relatively weak, and in the future, additional research should be conducted to investigate this topic further.

Prunella vulgaris L. - A Review of its Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, Quality Control and Pharmacological Effects.

Prunella vulgaris L. (PVL) is dried fruit spike of Lamiacea plant Prunella vulgaris L., which is a perennial herb with medicinal and edible homology used for thousands of years. PVL is bitter, acrid, cold, and belongs to the liver and gallbladder meridians. It clears the liver and dissipate fire, improve vision, disperse swelling, and has satisfactory clinical therapeutic effects on many diseases such as photophobia, dizziness, scrofula, goiter, breast cancer. The collection of information and data related to PVL comes from literatures retrieved and collated from various online scientific databases (such as CNKI, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, Research Gate, Science Database), ancient books of traditional chinese medicine (Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Classics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine), and Doctoral and Master’s Dissertations. Currently, the major chemical constituents isolated and identified from PVL are triterpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, organic acids, volatile oils and polysaccharides. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that PVL has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antibacterial and antiviral effects, as well as immune regulation, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, antioxidant, free radical scavenging, liver protection, sedative and hypnotic effects. This paper reviewes the botany, ethnopharmacology, traditional application, phytochemistry, analytical methods, quality control, pharmacological effects of PVL. It can be used not only as medicine, but also gradually integrated into the “medicine and food homology” and “Chinese medicine health” boom. More importantly, it has great potential for drug resources development. This paper deeply discusses the shortcomings of current PVL research, and proposes corresponding solutions, in order to find a breakthrough point for PVL research in the future. At the same time, it is necessary to further strengthen the research on its medicinal chemistry, mechanism of action and clinical application efficacy in the future, and strive to extract, purify and synthesize effective components with high efficiency and low toxicity, so as to improve the safety and rationality of clinical medication.

A Study on English Translation of Numerals in TCM—Taking Li Zhaoguo’s English Translation Version of Yellow Emperor’s Cannon of Medicine as an Example

As traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) gradually enters the international perspective, it is facing new opportunities and challenges, so the translation of Chinese medicine culture becomes more important. TCM classics are the principle part of TCM culture. Among them, numerals occupy a large proportion, and at the same time, numerals are an aspect that translators can easily ignore. Therefore, this article discusses the English translation of TCM numerals. Besides, due to the different cultural backgrounds, there are many non-correspondences between Chinese and English numerals. The meaning of quantifiers in English is single, while the meaning of numerals in Chinese medicine is complicated. It requires that translators should pay attention to numeral translation on the process of translation. Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Medicine has been guiding the development of Chinese medicine. This paper, taking Li Zhaoguo’s translation vision as an example, makes an in-depth analysis of the meaning of numerals, studies the translation methods of translators, and compares Li’s vision numeral processing methods, so as to better apply them to the translation practice of TCM culture.

Study on the Classification and Publication of Dahe Materia Medica—Focusing on the Comparison with Compendium of Materia Medica

The development of modern Japanese materia medica began with the passing of the Book Compendium of Materia Medica to Japan. With the spread and popularity of compendium of Materia Medica and the influence of Confucian thoughts such as “learning from things to know”, Beiyuan Yixuan, a Confucianist, herbalist and naturalist, has become Japan’s first original materia medica natural history work - Daiwa materia medica. Among them, there are 772 kinds collected from compendium of Materia Medica, except for the parts not owned by Japan, 203 kinds collected from other bibliographies, 358 kinds produced in Japan and 29 kinds imported from the Netherlands. A total of 1362 varieties were collected. This paper intends to analyze the origin relationship between compendium of Materia Medica and Da he materia medica. The investigation of Da he materia medica has important reference value for exploring the influence of compendium of Materia Medica on its eastward transmission to Japan and re examining the significance of the translation, introduction and dissemination of traditional Chinese medicine culture with traditional Chinese Medicine Classics as the carrier abroad.

A Comparative Research of Two English Translations of the Chapter “Comprehensive Discourse on Phenomena Corresponding to Yin and Yang” in Huangdi's Internal Classic

Abstract Culture-loaded words refer to words with specific cultural connotations that can express an abstract or a specific concept, which may be related to religious beliefs or social customs, but do not exist in other languages and cultures. Therefore, culture-loaded words bring some difficulties to translation work. Huang Di Nei Jing (《黄帝内经》 Huangdi's Internal Classic) is the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, and is listed as the first of the four classics of TCM. It contains a large number of culture-loaded words, which embody the ancient Chinese traditional culture. The translation of culture-loaded words is a difficult but crucial point in the translation of Huangdi's Internal Classic and directly relates to the quality of the translation of Huangdi's Internal Classic as a whole. Taking the two English versions of Maoshing Ni and Li Zhaoguo as examples, this work identifies the culture-loaded words appearing in the chapter “Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun” (阴阳应象大论 Comprehensive Discourse on Phenomena Corresponding to the Yin and Yang). This work studies the strategies and translation process of culture-loaded words in Huangdi's Internal Classic, with a view to contribute to the English translation of TCM classics.

Analysis of the Online and Offline Hybrid Teaching of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classics

Distance education had sufficient technical capabilities before the novel coronavirus outbreak, but its advantages were not reflected in the normalized school running model. In the early stage of the pandemic, many students were affected and could not return to school. Many schools implemented online teaching to avoid delaying classes. After the alleviation of the pandemic, several colleges and universities taught students with a combination of online and offline methods after returning to school. The integration of online and offline teaching is conducive to the overall improvement of teaching quality in colleges and universities. This paper summarizes the shortcomings of the existing online and offline integrated education model in the teaching of traditional Chinese medicine classics in hope to further optimize the modern education system of traditional Chinese medicine courses.

Progress Research into the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes with Traditional Chinese Medicine

For newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients, the treatment of the illness is very important, which is related to the patient’s condition control. Scientific and effective treatment can delay the progression of the patient’s illness, reduce the incidence of complications, and improve the quality of life of the patients. Traditional Chinese medicine is a hot research topic in recent years. It is effective in treating type 2 diabetes. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that diabetes is highly similar to the symptoms of diabetes, such as thirst elimination and spleen bleeding in the classics of traditional Chinese medicine. In terms of treatment, it pays attention to the mechanism of drying dampness, invigorating spleen, replenishing qi and nourishing yin and replenishing spleen and kidney. This paper is about the research progress of using traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Textual research on classical prescriptions in Mongolian medicine

Mongolians have a long history of using prescriptions, which can be classified into four stages as follows: the germination and experience accumulation stage before the 13 th century, the theoretical formation stage from the 13 th to 16 th century, the rapid development stage from the 17 th to 20 th century, and the leaping development stage from the mid-20 th century to the present. The prescriptions from the ancient classical or representative medical books have always been used by Mongolian physicians for generations, and they are still in use due to the definite curative effects. In 2008, the Notice on Issuing the Supplementary Provisions to the Registration and Management of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) described that China has attached more importance to the excavation and development of classical prescriptions. As stipulated in the Law of the People's Republic of China on Traditional Chinese Medicine, the classical prescriptions should be those available in ancient TCM classics and still in wide use, with exact curative effects, distinct features, and obvious advantages. This paper expounded the historical formation and development of classical prescriptions in Mongo-lian medicine, introduced the five most influential ancient medical books revealing the formation and development of these classic prescriptions, and traced the origin of such classical prescriptions as Wenguanmu Siwei Decoction, Shouzhangshen Bawei Decoction, Jianghuang Siwei Decoction and summarized the origin, development history and characteristics of classical prescriptions in Mongolian medicine, aiming to provide a reference for their further research and development.

Teaching traditional Chinese medicine classics to clinical nurses: Taking Treatise on Cold Damage for example

Teaching traditional Chinese medicine classics to clinical nurses: Taking <i>Treatise on Cold Damage</i> for example

HYR-2 plays an anti-lung cancer role by regulating PD-L1 and Akkermansia muciniphila

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays a vital part in cancer treatment due to its unique superiority. Huoxue Yiqi Recipe-2 (HYR-2) was supposed to have therapeutic effect on lung cancer, which came from Ze Qi Decoction in one of the four great classics of TCM called "Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber". Network pharmacology demonstrated that the targets of active components from HYR-2 were significantly enriched in the signaling pathways, which were closely associated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Then, data about NSCLC was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO). The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and DisGeNET was analyzed by bioinformatics, and 214 biomarkers for NSCLC were obtained, containing 14 targets of active components from HYR-2 (which were significantly enriched in the PD-L1 related signaling pathway). In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that HYR and HYR-2 could inhibit the growth of lung cancer and down-regulate the expression of PD-L1, which might be related to the blocking effect of HYR-2 on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, HYR-2 promoted the transformation of M2 macrophages into M1 macrophages as well. It is deserved to be mentioned that the level of Akkermansia muciniphila was also significantly elevated by HYR-2, which was believed to enhance the therapeutic effect of PD-L1 antibodies. To sum up, HYR-2 might play an anti-lung cancer effect by down-regulating PD-L1 together with up-regulating Akkermansia muciniphila.

Translation Mode of TCM Classic Nan Jing in the United States

Since the outbreak of new coronavirus COVID-19 in 2019 and its evolution into a global disaster, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) helps thousands of people get out of the catastrophe. How to get access to TCM knowledge highlights the mission of translation. Nan Jing, one of four medical classics in China, has played a pivotal role in the medical development of TCM. On the basis of the five communication elements put forward by Harold Lasswell, a famous American sociologist and scholar of communication studies, the study takes Nan Jing’s English translation in the United States as the research object, analyzes the translation mode of Nan Jing from the perspectives of translation subjects, translation contents, translation channels, target readers and translation effects so as to provide some references for the English translation of TCM classics in western world and subsequently improve people’s awareness of disease treatment and prevention.