Concept Of Chinese Medicine Research Articles

Treatment of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia based on the theory of 'three syndromes and three methods'/ 中华危重病急救医学

The latest diagnosis and treatment plan (4th edition) of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia has been issued. The diagnosis and treatment plan highlights the concept of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and Xuebijing injection was referred for three times. Xuebijing injection was successfully developed based on the theory of 'three syndromes and three methods'. The theory of 'three syndromes and three methods' is a theoretical system of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine on critical diseases proposed by Professor Wang Jinda and his team in the 1970s, and it is one of the main contents of Wang Jinda's academic thought. The theory of 'three syndromes and three methods' has a deep foundation of traditional Chinese medicine theory, and it is still being continuously enriched and improved. It is also supported by multiple evidence-based data. Therefore, 'three syndromes and three methods' has rich theoretical connotation and tenacious vitality.

Modern holistic medicine from the perspective of traditional chinese medicine

The work presented in this paper aims to study modern holistic medicine fromthe perspective of traditional Chinese medicine and to elucidate the concept of holism intraditional Chinese medicine Based on a secondary analysis of available literatures the study findings have led the author to the conclusions that in spite of the superficial similarities modern holistic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine are different in essence and the future architecture of modern holistic medicine should incorporate the thinking modes clinical experience treatment methods of traditional Chinese medicine and these two medical systems can complement each other in the st century In addition this paper also puts forwardthe suggestion of making full use of thecurrentprosperity of wellness tourism in Thailand to promote Thai traditional medicine

Medicinal plants of Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Daodi: Insights from phylogeny and biogeography

ObjectiveThe Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015) includes 584 plant medicines, of which 284 also contain high quality subsets, so called “Daodi” components, where Daodi denotes superior clinical properties compared to non-Daodi counterparts despite being sourced from the same species. Commercial and clinical drivers of selection for Daodi have been described elsewhere. Our objective is to investigate the overall composition of Daodi to determine in what ways medicines with Daodi as a whole differ from the other plants of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. A further objective is to characterise the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Daodi in terms of the plant species including their traits and distribution. MethodsWe used trait analysis to identify whether Daodi species were significantly different from the remaining Chinese Pharmacopoeia plant species in any traits. We used biogeographic methods and an existing classification of Daodi into 10 regions to identify spatial patterns amongst the species. Regression and binomial analyses were used to test for over- and under-use of plant families and endemic species. Preferences for lineages were visualized using phylogenetic mapping. ResultsWe found that Daodi species (species with any Daodi subset) were more likely to be roots that are “hot” or “warm”, and less likely to be “oxic”, according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concepts. Roots were over-represented in the Bei region, and whole plants over-represented in Guang. Both the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Daodi indicated preferences for families not common in previously studied ethnopharmacopoeias, and fewer endemic species were represented than expected by chance. ConclusionUsing the phylogenetic and biogeographical methods, we highlighted patterns of plant use, and the biological characters of Daodi medicinal plants. Our study points towards cultural preferences in need of scientific explanation.

When a White Horse is a Horse: Embracing the (Obvious?) Overlap Between Acupuncture and Neuromodulation.

When a White Horse is a Horse: Embracing the (Obvious?) Overlap Between Acupuncture and Neuromodulation.

Essence of “Shen (Kidney) Controlling Bones”: Conceptual Analysis Based on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal-Osteo-Related Cells Axis

As a traditional concept of Chinese medicine (CM), the theory of "Shen (Kidney) controlling bones" has been gradually proven. And in modern allopathic medicine, the multiple mechanisms of bone growth, development and regeneration align with the theory. Shen deficiency as a pathological condition has a negative effect on the skeleton of body, specifically the disorder of bone homeostasis. Present studies indicate that Shen deficiency shares a common disorder characterized by dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. HPA axis may be an important regulator of bone diseases with abnormal homeostasis. Therefore, we posit the existence of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-osteo-related cells axis: cells that comprise bone tissue (osteo-related cells) are targets under the regulation of HPA axis in disorder of bone homeostasis. Chinese herbs for nourishing Shen have potential in the development of treatments for disorder of bone homeostasis.

Understanding Qi Running in the Meridians as Interstitial Fluid Flowing via Interstitial Space of Low Hydraulic Resistance.

Qi, blood and the meridians are fundamental concepts in Chinese medicine (CM), which are components of the human body and maintain physiological function. Pathological changes of qi, blood and meridians may lead to discomfort and disease. Treatment with acupuncture or herbal medicine aims to regulate qi and blood so as to recover normal function of the meridians. This paper explores the nature of qi as well as compares and correlates them with the structures of the human body. We propose a conceptualization of qi as being similar to the interstitial fluid, and the meridians as being similar to interstitial space of low hydraulic resistance in the body. Hence, qi running in the meridians can be understood as interstitial fluid flowing via interstitial space of low hydraulic resistance.

Evidence-based Chinese medicine：theory and practice

The introduction and popularization of evidence-based medicine has opened up a new research field of clinical efficacy evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), produced new research ideas and methods, and promoted the progress of clinical research of TCM. After about 20 years assiduous study and earnest practice, the evidence based evaluation method and technique, which conforms to the characteristics of TCM theory and practice, has been developing continuously. Evidence-based Chinese medicine (EBCM) has gradually formed and become an important branch of evidence-based medicine. The basic concept of evidence-based Chinese medicine: EBCM is an applied discipline, following the theory and methodology of evidence-based medicine, to collect, evaluate, produce, transform the evidence of effectiveness, safety and economy of TCM, to reveal the feature and regular pattern of TCM taking effect, and to guide the development of clinical guidelines, clinical pathways and health decisions. The effects and achievements of EBCM development: secondary studies mainly based on systematic review/Meta-analysis were extensively carried out; clinical efficacy studies mainly relying on randomized controlled trials grew rapidly; clinical safety evaluations based on real world study have been conducted; methodological researches mainly focused on study quality control deepened gradually; internationalization researches mainly on report specifications have got some breakthroughs; standardization researches based on treatment specification were strengthened gradually; the research team and talents with the characteristics of inter-disciplinary have been steadily increased. A number of high-quality research findings have been published at international well-known journals; the clinical efficacy and safety evidence of TCM has been increased; the level of clinical rational use of TCM has been improved; a large number of Chinese patent medicines with big market have been cultured. The future missions of EBCM mainly consist of four categories (scientific research, methodology and standard, platform construction and personnel training) with nine tasks. ①Carry out systematic reviews to systematically collect clinical trial reports of TCM and establish database of clinical evidence of TCM; ②Carry out evidence transformation research to lay the foundation for the development of clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines, clinical pathways of TCM, and for the screening of basic drug list and medical insurance list, and for the policy-making relevant to TCM; ③Conduct researches to evaluate the advantages and effective regular patterns of TCM and form the evidence chain of TCM efficacy; ④Carry out researches for the safety evaluation of TCM, and provide evidence supporting the rational and safe use of TCM in clinical practice; ⑤Conduct researches on methodology of EBCM and provide method for developing high quality evidence; ⑥Carry out researches to develop standards and norms of TCM, and to form methods, standards, specifications and technical systems; ⑦Establish data management platform for evidence-based evaluation of TCM, and promote data sharing; ⑧Build international academic exchange platform to promote international cooperation and mutual recognition of EBCM research; ⑨Carry out education and popularization activities of evidence-based evaluation methods, and train undergraduate students, graduate students, clinical healthcare providers and practitioners of TCM. The development of EBCM, as it was, not only promoted the transformation of clinical research and decision-making mode of TCM, contributed to the modernization and internationalization of TCM, but also enriched the connotation of Evidence-based Medicine.

Comparative chemical characters of Sparganii Rhizoma from different regions in China

ObjectiveTo compare the chemical characters of Sparganii Rhizoma from different areas via chromatographic analysis and to establish a sensitive LC/MS method for quality assessment of Sparganii Rhizoma. MethodsUnder the optimised HPLC-PDA chromatographic conditions, twenty batches of Sparganii Rhizoma were analyzed by HPLC fingerprints. Principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were performed based on all peak areas of Sparganii Rhizoma fingerprints. Meanwhile, part of common peaks were subsequently quantified by UFLC-QTRAP-MS. ResultsThe similarity values of HPLC fingerprints fluctuated in a wide range of 0.511–0.973, which showed variable differences of chemical characters among Sparganii Rhizoma from twenty habitats. PCA, OPLS-DA and HCA indicated that samples could be divided into five groups with different chemical characters, which generally corresponded with their geographical distributions. A total of 31 peaks in HPLC fingerprints were marked, and eight of them were identified and quantified. The quantitative result was generally in agreement with the classifications based on HPLC fingerprints, which indicated that Sparganii Rhizoma samples from eastern China mostly contained more contents including phenolic acids and flavonoids. ConclusionThis study not only proved that there were relationships between geographic distributions and internal chemical compositions of plants, which could provide evidence to the traditional Chinese medicine concept “geo-authentic”, but also supplied a sensitive and rapid simultaneous quantitive method for the quality estimation of Sparganii Rhizoma.

The clinical observation on different methods for the treatment of refractory wound surface of tibia

Objective To observe the clinical effect of refractory tibia of Group A(traditional medicine-changing group), Group B(combined therapy group)and Group C(new dressing group). Methods A total of 47 patients were randomly divided into Group A(traditional medicine-changing group)with 15 cases, Group B(combined therapy group) with 17 cases and Group C(new dressing group)with 15 cases.The clinical effect, time of healing, total cost of treatment, total replacement and wound healing rate of of different group was observed. Results There was no statistical significance in terms of the total effective rate of the three groups(P>0.05). The curative rate of Group B and Group C was superior to that of Group A(P<0.05). The curative effect of Group C was the best.There were no statistical significances in terms of the differences of healing time, total cost, total number of changes and average wound healing rate of the three groups according to the retrospective analysis(P<0.05). The healing time, wound healing rate and change of medicine of Group C was the best.The total cost of Group A was the least. Conclusions On the basis of the same curative effect, the total cost of the traditional medicine-changing method was less than that of the other two methods, but with more curative duration and more numbers of medicine-changing.The new dressing group is shown short period and fast wound-healing, with more cost and limited popularization and application.Comprehensive treatment method adopted the concept of Chinese traditional medicine combined with wet healing, with good curative effect and affordable cost, which better meets the development of the thinking of traditional Chinese medicine and the needs of patients, it has better development space and is worth clinical promotion. Key words: Contusion on the anterior sideof tibia; Refractory wounds; New type dressing; Traditional Chinese medicine

The application of yin-yang concept on heart rate variability patterns in menopausal women with insomnia.

To develop heart rate variability (HRV) patterns for peri- and postmenopausal insomnia (PI) by the yin/yang concept of Chinese medicine (CM). Seventy-four peri- and postmenopausal women (average age 56.6±1.0 years) with insomnia were enrolled in the study. HRV and the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI) were recorded. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Indices were derivative from the low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and ratio of LF to HF (LF/HF) components of the HRV. A deficiency or the excess pattern for PI was used for ANS index values > 0 or < 0, respectively. The deficiency pattern of PI was further divided into deficiency-yang (ANS index < 0, Sympathetic-Parasympathetic index > 0) and the deficiency-yin patterns (ANS index < 0, Sympathetic-Parasympathetic index < 0). The classification of the excess-yang and the excess-yin patterns of PI was carried out in the same way. The CPSQI and HRV parameters were compared to each of these patterns. The deficiency pattern (60.8 %) occurred more frequently than the excess pattern (39.2%) among PI participants. There were significantly longer bouts of insomnia, prolonged sleep latency, lower LF, HF, and LF/HF of HRV among individuals with the deficiency pattern than among those with the excess pattern among PI participants (P<0.05). The deficiency-yang pattern of PI participants had significantly prolonged sleep latency and decreased sleep efficiency, a higher LF/HF but a lower HF while compared to those with the deficiency-yin pattern (P<0.05). The results show a possible method of integration of biomedicine and CM by using physiological signals (HRV) combined with the concepts of CM (deficiency/excess and yin/yang) in order to develop diagnostic patterns of PI. This method may be applicable to the trials involving the use of acupuncture or Chinese herbs to treat PI.

Confluence of Humors

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; This article investigates the origin and the earliest, formative period of one of the major concepts in post-classical Chinese medicine, the concept of phlegm, tan 痰. It is the first study that examines both Chinese- and Sanskrit-language sources in seeking to answer the question whether the development of the concept of phlegm in Chinese medicine is owed to Indic influences. Following traditional Chinese scholarship, it argues that the initial emergence of the substance tan 痰, which later was to become “phlegm,” should be understood as an indigenous development from the fluid yin 飲. The subsequent formation and development of the concept of phlegm in Chinese medicine, however, was influenced by Āyurveda. The influence hinges on the coincidence of Indic and Chinese intuitions about digestion.&#x0D; Previous scholarship on early Chinese Buddhist translations of Indic terms for phlegm and the tridoṣa has either claimed that variations in the terminology betrayed the Chinese translators’ poor understanding of Āyurvedic concepts or that the translators creatively manipulated the terminology with a view to the cultural background of their intended audiences. By contrast, this article argues that the early terminology the Chinese translators crafted was highly accurate and faithful to their Indic source texts. It shows, by going back to the Indic classics, that the variations in Chinese terminology reflect an ancient and long-forgotten temporal shift in the perception of humors in India itself.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Concept of Dampness Explained in Terms of Modern Medicine

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Concept of Dampness Explained in Terms of Modern Medicine

Expert consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of cancer-related depressed mood state based on Chinese medicine

This consensus statement is organized into six parts: 1) Definitions: cancer-related depressed mood state is defined as a group of depressive symptoms, rather than major depressive disorder. Thus, “cancer-related depression” or “depressed mood state” is introduced as standard terminology and associated with the Chinese medicine concept of “yu zheng” (depression syndrome). 2) Pathogenesis: factors including psychological stress, cancer pain, cancer fatigue, sleep disorders, surgery trauma, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are strongly associated with cancer-related depressed mood state. Crucial elements of pathogenesis are cancer caused by depression, depression caused by cancer, and the concurrence of phlegm, dampness, and stasis from constrained liver-qi and spleen deficiency. 3) Symptoms: these include core symptoms, psychological symptoms, and somatic symptoms. Depressed mood and loss of interest are the main criteria for diagnosis. 4) Clinical evaluation: based on the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and a numeric rating scale, and taking mood changes during cancer diagnosis and treatment into consideration, a questionnaire can be drafted to distinguish between major depressive disorder and cancer-related depression. The aim is to assist oncology clinicians to identify, treat, and refer patients with cancer-related depression. 5) Diagnosis: diagnosis should be based on the Chinese Classification for Mental Disorders (CCMD-3), taking patients' mood changes during diagnosis and treatment into consideration. 6) Treatment: treatments for cancer-related depression must be performed concurrently with cancer treatment. For mild depression, non-pharmacologic comprehensive therapies, including psychological intervention, music therapy, patient education, physical activity, and acupuncture, are recommended; for moderate depression, classical Chinese herbal formulas based on syndrome pattern differentiation combined with antidepressants are suggested; for severe depressive symptoms that have progressed to major depressive disorder, patients should be referred to a psychiatric clinician for specialized care.

The Experience of Chronic Insomnia in Chinese Adults: A Study Using Focus Groups and Insomnia Experience Diaries

The subjective experience in 43 Chinese adults with chronic primary insomnia was assessed using focus groups and insomnia experience diaries. Participants recruited from the community and a sleep clinic were diagnosed with DSM-IV-TR insomnia disorder and had sleep difficulties on 3 or more nights per week for at least 6 months. Six focus groups, of 6–8 participants each, were conducted; it was stopped as thematic saturation emerged in the last 2 groups. Using grounded theory approach, we identified 4 themes and 16 subthemes, covering beliefs about the nature and treatment of insomnia, behavioral responses to insomnia, cognitive-emotional and physiological arousal, and emotional experiences associated with insomnia. The findings are in general compatible with qualitative studies in the West, but some subthemes are influenced by Chinese cultural beliefs and values, in particular, use of the traditional Chinese medicine concept, being modest in sleep expectation, and a letting go attitude. Strategies for cultural adaptation of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in a Chinese society using patients’ subjective experience are discussed.

On Chinese medicine quality precision in expectation

According to the correlative analyses on Chinese medicine essence, dosage forms and quality control level, it expounds the precise concept of Chinese medicine, and its quality advantages and characteristics in this paper, furthermore discusses how to achieve the ideal drugs and Chinese medicine quality precision in expectation. Base on the Chinese medicine essence, using the concept of nature medicine and its drug system to construct Chinese medicine effective material basis and its drugs, with the correlative analyses of whole view and reductionism, the problems of uncertainty quality of original natural medicinal resources and preparations may well be solved, and further with the macroscopic to microcosmic construction of drug system, the precision in expectations of Chinese medicine quality and higher production lever may well be achieved.

Effect of Acupuncture Manipulations at LI4 or LI11 on Blood Flow and Skin Temperature

Acupuncture induces physiological changes, and patients have reported warm or cool sensations with “Burning Fire” (BF) or “Penetrating Cool” (PC) manipulations. This study aimed to evaluate whether these techniques had distinct effects on skin temperature and blood flow and to examine whether skin temperature correlated with blood flow. The participants were 25 healthy volunteers, each receiving acupuncture manipulations on points LI4 and LI11 bilaterally. Skin temperatures and blood flow were recorded continuously on both arms. The study found that acupuncture significantly increased skin temperature on the needling arm by 0.3514°C on average, but decreased it on the contralateral arm by 0.2201°C on average. Blood flow decreased significantly in both arms during needling (−3.4% and −5.97% for the ipsilateral and the contralateral sides, respectively), but the changes in skin temperature did not correlate with the changes in blood flow. Furthermore, these changes were not significantly different between acupuncture techniques and acupuncture points. In conclusion, acupuncture changes local skin temperature and blood flow independent of the manipulation technique. Moreover, blood flow may not be affected by the increased temperature on the needling arm. These results help to verify traditional Chinese medicine concepts and may help in establishing standards for acupuncture treatments.

Shen-Jing as a Chinese Medicine Concept Might Be a Counterpart of Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine.

As the epitome of the modern regenerative medicine, stem cells were proposed in the basic sense no more than 200 years ago. However, the concept of "stem cells" existed long before the modern medical description. The hypothesis that all things, including our sentient body, were generated from a small origin was shared between Western and Chinese people. The ancient Chinese philosophers considered Jing (also known as essence) as the origin of life. In Chinese medicine (CM), Jing is mainly stored in Kidney (Shen) and the so-called Shen-Jing (Kidney essence). Here, we propose that Shen-Jing is the CM term used to express the meaning of "origin and regeneration". This theoretical discovery has at least two applications. First, the actions underlying causing Shen-Jing deficiency, such as excess sexual intercourse, chronic diseases, and aging, might damage the function of stem cells. Second, a large number of Chinese herbs with Shen-Jing-nourishing efficacy had been proven to affect stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, if Shen-Jing in CM is equivalent with stem cells in regenerative medicine, higher effective modulators for regulating stem-cell behaviors from Kidney-tonifying herbs would be expected.

Narrative Review of Perioperative Acupuncture for Clinicians

Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of the natural healing arts. The exact mechanisms of action are unknown at this time; however, current theories to explain the benefits experienced after acupuncture include Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine concepts. Acupuncture may improve the quality of perioperative care and reduce associated complications. Perioperative acupuncture is apparently effective in reducing preoperative anxiety, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and postoperative pain. The Pericardium-6 (P-6; Nei Guan), Yintang (Extra 1), and Shenmen acupuncture points are the most studied and effective acupuncture points in reducing preoperative anxiety, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and postoperative pain experiences. Intraoperatively administered acupuncture may reduce immunosuppression in patients and lessen intraoperative anesthetic requirements, although the clinical usefulness of acupuncture in the intraoperative period remains inconclusive. Perioperative acupuncture is a promising intervention, but additional studies are needed to further understand and define acupuncture's role throughout the perioperative period and determine its clinical usefulness. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief clinical review concerning acupuncture and its application for common issues that occur in the perioperative period.

Stratum Corneum Hydration and Skin Surface pH Variation Indicate that Organ Blood Flow Is Regulated by Meridian Activity at Certain Hours

Day and night are regular occurrences in nature, and the organs and tissues in living bodies follow this cycle. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) at various time points regulates organ excitation to maintain healthy functions in the living body. The energy required from basal metabolism can be used to explain living organisms according to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concept of relationships between meridian directions and organs at various times (organs “at rest” and organs “in operation”). By monitoring skin reactions after applying a cream, we speculated regular blood flow changes, and established an animated hourglass-shaped trajectory diagram to visualize these changes. A combination of TCM and physiological perspectives were considered to explain how the cardiovascular system produces energy. These two perspectives were applied to interpret the correlation between the SNS and organ metabolism.

Erratum to: Traditional Chinese medicine and new concepts of predictive, preventive and personalised medicine in diagnosis and treatment of sub-optimal health

Erratum to: Traditional Chinese medicine and new concepts of predictive, preventive and personalised medicine in diagnosis and treatment of sub-optimal health