Traditional Chinese Medicine Concepts Research Articles

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.

Dental disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis: course in the context comorbidity, the search for common pathophysiological mechanisms

We determined the prevalence of dental pathology (DP) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), in order to clarify the features of its course in terms of comorbidity, allocation of common pathophysiological mechanisms and finding opportunities for optimization schemes of complex treatment using the methods acupunctural (AP) diagnosis and therapy. The study involved 197 MS patients with different forms of course. We evaluated the clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients with MS due to comorbidity, determined the level of EDSS, fatigue severity (for FSS and SAC), pain on the VAS scale, barchart conducted assessment of teeth and periodontal, syndromic acupuncture diagnosis (SAD) in accordance with the concepts of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), electroacupuncture diagnostics (EPD) using the method of Nakatani.Because we studied 197 patients with various forms of MS, one or more concomitant disease was in 98 (49.7%), there was no co-morbidities in 99 (50.3%). Patients with the most severe disorders of teeth and periodontal occurred polykomorbidity: nephrology disorders combined with the arthritic joints of the lower extremities, lumbar pain syndromes and gastroenterological diseases.

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.

Chinmedomics: a new strategy for research of traditional Chinese medicine

Syndrome and formulae (or prescription) are two key issues in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the premise research for material basis of TCM. However, vagueness of syndromes and complexity of formulae greatly limited the evaluation to syndromes and effective substance basis of prescription. Therefore, how to solve the evaluation of syndromes, confirming the efficacy material basis in prescription are the current hot issues of international concern. To solve these problems, establishing chinmedomics by integrated serum pharmacochemistry of TCM with metabolomics technology, that is a unique method of TCM research, made outstanding contributions in solving international concerns such as the effectiveness and security aspects of TCM. On the basis of the biological characterization of syndrome, the metabolic profiling of animal models of TCM syndrome, and related metabolic fingerprints as well as metabolic biomarkers were established to evaluate the overall effects of TCM formulae and corresponding relationship of syndrome-formulae. The active constituents were screened using the plotting of correlation between (endogenous) marker metabolites and (exogenous) serum constituents (PCMS), and is ongoing verification by further biological experiments. Correlation analysis between the ingredients in the body after oral formulae and endogenous markers in vivo can be used to clarify the active ingredients and synergistic properties. This method was successfully applied for rapid discovery of potentially bioactive components and metabolites from TCM, and through a series of studies on the chinmedomics, it proved that the established method could help to explore the effective substance for further research of TCM. As a new research approach, Chinmedomics is the best method to fit the holistic concept of TCM, and it can not only interpret the essence of syndrome but also elucidate the scientific connotation of Chinese medical formulae.

Accumulated mental stress study using the meridians of traditional Chinese medicine with photoplethysmography.

To investigate accumulated mental stress according to the concept of the meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This stress was quantified by using pulse spectrum analysis of finger-tip photoplethysmography (PPG). Stress accumulation is one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease and depression in humans, resulting in chronic physiologic malfunctions; however, few studies have thoroughly assessed the quantitative evaluation of accumulative stress using the concept of TCM. This study investigated accumulated mental stress from the perspective of TCM based on an 8-day experiment. The theory of organ resonance was integrated into the proposed PPG sensing instrument to capture the nine harmonics of TCM. Participants were given daily mental arithmetic tasks over 1 week to simulate stress accumulation, and trends in the proportion of the nine harmonics of TCM were extracted over several days and analyzed to identify the affective factors related to cumulative stress. The experimental results showed that the kidney harmonic proportion (C2) and stomach harmonic proportion (C5) were significant only on the first few days because of a physiologic phenomenon of temporary stimulation. Most important, the trend of the liver harmonic proportion (C1) from days 3 to 8 dramatically increased and became gradually saturated because of the influence of accumulated mental stress. The results strongly suggest that pulse spectrum analysis of the PPG signal provides physiologically and pathologically important information on accumulated mental stress and can be useful for TCM analysis.

Applications of dynamical complexity theory in traditional Chinese medicine.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been gradually accepted by the world. Despite its widespread use in clinical settings, a major challenge in TCM is to study it scientifically. This difficulty arises from the fact that TCM views human body as a complex dynamical system, and focuses on the balance of the human body, both internally and with its external environment. As a result, conventional tools that are based on reductionist approach are not adequate. Methods that can quantify the dynamics of complex integrative systems may bring new insights and utilities about the clinical practice and evaluation of efficacy of TCM. The dynamical complexity theory recently proposed and its computational algorithm, Multiscale Entropy (MSE) analysis, are consistent with TCM concepts. This new system level analysis has been successfully applied to many health and disease related topics in medicine. We believe that there could be many promising applications of this dynamical complexity concept in TCM. In this article, we propose some promising applications and research areas that TCM practitioners and researchers can pursue.

Relationship between Renying pulse augmentation index and Cunkou pulse condition in different blood pressure groups

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between Renying pulse (carotid) augmentation index (AI) and Cunkou pulse condition in different blood pressure groups, and the clinical significance of Renying and Cunkou pulse parameters to reflect vascular function. MethodsEighty-six patients with essential hypertension (EH) and 52 individuals with normal blood pressure (control group) between September 2010 and January 2012 were included in this study. Renying pulse AI was examined by a new diagnostic tool (ALOKA ProSound Alpha 10) — wave intensity (WI) that is calculated as the product of the derivatives of the simultaneously recorded blood pressure changes (dP/dt) and blood-flow-velocity changes (dU/dt), while Cunkou pulse condition was detected by DDMX-100 Pulse Apparatus in both EH and control groups. A multifactorial correlation analysis was performed for data analysis. ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounding variables, in the EH group, AI was positively correlated with t5, w2/t (rt5=0.225, P<0.05; rw2/t=0.230, P< 0.05) and negatively correlated with h5, h5/h1 and w2 (rh5= − 0.393, P<0.01; rh5/h1= − 0.444, P<0.01; rw2= − 0.389, P<0.01). In the control group, AI was positively correlated with t3, t4, t5 and w1 (rt3=0.595, P<0.01; rt4= 0.292, P<0.05; rt5=0.318, P<0.05; rw1=0.541, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with h1, h2, h3, Ad and A (rh1= − 0.368, P<0.05; rh2= − 0.330, P<0.05; rh3= − 0.327, P< 0.05; rAd= − 0.322, P<0.05; rA= − 0.410, P<0.01). In the total sample group (EH plus control group, n= 138), AI was positively correlated with t, t5, w1 and w2/t (rt=0.257, P<0.01; rt5=0.266, P<0.01; rw1=0.184, P< 0.05; rw2/t=0.210, P<0.05) and negatively correlated with h5, h5/h1, w2 and Ad (rh5= − 0.230, P<0.01; rh5/h1= − 0.218, P<0.05; rw2= − 0.267, P<0.01; rAd= - 0.246, P<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to model the relationship (F=7.887, P< 0.001). ConclusionRenying pulse AI can effectively predict arterial stiffness in synchrony with the manifestations of Cunkou pulse in elderly patients with hypertension. Cunkou pulse apparatus is a valuable tool for evaluating AI in clinical practice. The close correlations reported above reflect the holistic concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Measuring body constitution: Validation of the Body Constitution Questionnaire (BCQ) in Hong Kong

The Body Constitution Questionnaire (BCQ) was developed in Taiwan to classify people into body constitution (BC) types based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theories. Since the culture of Hong Kong is different from Taiwan, the BCQ must be validated before a wider application can be preceded. To adapt and validate the Hong Kong version of BCQ in Hong Kong Chinese population. The content validity of BCQ was investigated by the cognitive debriefing with 10 patients and 10 Chinese Medicine Practitioners (CMP). A cross-sectional study of 1084 Chinese patients recruited from TCM and Western Medicine (WM) outpatient clinics to confirm the construct validity, reliability, sensitivity and responsiveness of BCQ. 225 of the patients were assessed after 2 weeks for the test-retest reliability. 404 subjects were followed up to evaluate the responsiveness after 3-6 months. Cognitive debriefing confirmed the content validity of the BCQ (HK version) with content validity index of all items ranged from 70 to 100%. 1084 out of 2128 patients (51%) completed the cross-sectional study. The construct validity was confirmed with scaling success rates that ranged from 87.5 to 89.5%, moderate correlations between with SF-12v2 scores, and 3-factors structure with confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability was confirmed by the Cronbach's alphas >0.8 and test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficients >0.8). BCQ was adapted and validated on Hong Kong Chinese population. Patients with imbalanced BC types had lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) than those with balanced BC types, which supported the validity and importance of the body constitution under the concept of TCM.

Hypothesis, modern researches and clinical applications of cutaneous regions in traditional Chinese medicine

As one of the most important concepts in traditional Chinese medicine, cutaneous regions have a close relationship with skin in modern medicine. According to the doctrine of traditional Chinese medicine, the cutaneous regions are the corresponding projections of twelve meridians in the superficial layer of the body and play an important role in body surface-viscera correlation. The symptoms of visceral disorders will reflect on cutaneous regions and one of the major patterns of manifestation is referred visceral pain accompanied by tenderness and hyperalgesia on the body surface. On the contrary, cutaneous regions participate in the treatment of visceral disorders. As major clinical applications of the cutaneous regions hypothesis, superficial acupuncture, subcutaneous needling, massage (tuina), moxibustion, and wrist-ankle acupuncture have achieved favorable therapeutic outcomes in clinical practice. Modern researches have gained insights into the biological background of cutaneous regions, however, further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms.

Thinking on functional mechanism of acupuncture for inflammatory bowel diseases based on Metabolomics

Acupuncture has a good therapeutic effect in treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but its functional mechanism has not been systematically explained. Metabolomics is the scientific study of dynamic chemical processes involving metabolites as well as metabolic response of living organisms. Metabolomics, a research method with integrity and dynamics, corresponds to the overall regulatory effect of acupuncture and is in line with the overall concept of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the concept of homeostasis. In the recent years, metabolomics has been extensively applied to the clinical and experimental study of IBD, and its potential applied value has been unanimously acknowledged by the researchers. In this article, the application status of metabolomics in acupuncture is summarized, and the research ideas to study the mechanism of acupuncture in the regulation and control of IBD by metabolomics are preliminarily explored.

Use of the Layer Analysis Method of the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic in Modern Society

This article introduces the Layer Analysis Method of the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic text to revive its use in modern acupuncture and medicine. This is a crucial concept, especially for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases by acupuncture. First, the rise and decline of this method is explored. Second, the differentiation of this method is described by symptoms, the affected organs, and the stage of the disease. Third, the treatment method is summarized into four categories: (1) equipment, (2) technique, (3) acupoint, and (4) pathology. The resemblance of the Layer Analysis Method to modern clinical applications is worth examining. The sinew layer is especially fascinating with its similarity to the Anatomy Trains' track. The skin, vessel, muscle, and bone layers have their respective resemblances to their counterparts in modern medicine. The holism concept of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is demonstrated throughout the Layer Analysis Method theory. In addition, the Layer Analysis Method of the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic should be reconsidered and complemented by channel-collateral pattern differentiation for acupuncturists to achieve better clinical results. Future research on acupuncture should consider this theory with the channel-collateral pattern differentiation theory.

The Core Drugs Analysis based on Social Network Analysis about Traditional Chinese Medicine Records Semantic Relation

Due to complex and abstract of the relationship for traditional Chinese medicine, conventional analytical methods are difficult to draw potential rules, and social network analysis is the method to solve the problem with complex relationship and structure, which provides an opportunity to use social network analysis approach to analyze medical record prescriptions. In this paper, various traditional Chinese medicine concepts, which include disease, disorder, parties, drugs, therapies, syndromes of the prescriptions, are extracted from the medicine records and turned into the relation graph by using the knowledge of graph theory. At the same time three centrality analysis algorithms including degree centrality, betweenness centrality and closeness centrality are implemented and improved based on the characteristics of traditional Chinese medical records. The core prescription is extracted based on the analysis of the word level and semantic level (drugs Tropism of taste) by using the algorithms above.

Biological Values of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine: Impact on the Life Science

As treasures of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have a history of more than 2,500 years and have achieved sound effects in the clinical practice [1]. The effects of acupuncture and Chinese herbs have usually been demonstrated by biological regulations of physiological and pathological processes [2, 3], which are inherent responses of human beings and of great importance in the life science research. In recent years, the researches of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have improved significantly due to the prosperity and development of modern life science technology [4–7]. At the same time, the studies of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have in turn enhanced the development of biomedical science as well as the understanding of life [8–10] and offered new perspectives that can benefit modern medicine [11, 12]. However, the major challenge of the integration of TCM with modern medicine is the inadequate understanding of the biological foundation of TCM experience and concepts. In order to deepen our knowledge of TCM, it is important to clarify the biological value and mechanistic action of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, which may turn hypothesis to solid data-based research and creative discovery of life science. We are excited to present our readers with this special issue that summarizes recent discoveries and knowledge of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. This specialized issue collects 24 original research articles and 4 reviews that provide the clinical or animal-based evidence elucidating the impacts of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine on the life science. Among these original research articles, the biological functions and potential mechanisms of acupuncture and Chinese herbal drugs in disease treatment were demonstrated in animal models of diseases such as focal cerebral ischemia, pain, atopic dermatitis, insomnia, fatty liver, and Crohn's disease. Two papers are on cancer cells: Han-Peng Kuo et al. reported that Ganoderma tsugae extract inhibited the growth of HER2-overexpressing cancer cells and enhanced the growth inhibitory effect of antitumor drugs via the modulation of HER2/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway; Xiu-Feng Wang et al. showed that PC-SPESII herbal extract could impair human breast cancer metastasis by regulating proteolytic enzymes and matrix dynamics through the p38MAPK and SAPK/JNK pathway. Additionally, You Ning et al. reported the molecular mechanisms underlying the antiproliferative and prodifferentiative effects of psoralen on adult neural stem cells using DNA microarray. Interestingly, two research articles (Lei-Miao Yin et al. and Xiang-Gen Zhong et al.) simultaneously focused on the same issue, specific link between the lung and the large intestine, which provide new lines of evidence for the modern biological theory of “exterior-interior correlation between Zang and Fu organs.” The review by Yu Wang et al. presented a comprehensive overview of the researches on acupuncture effective biomolecules, covered diverse carriers such as cerebrospinal fluid, serum, organs, and tissues, and discussed how to promote the development of biological medicine based on the discovery of acupuncture effective biomolecules. The other 3 review articles also provided us with current understanding of biological values of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine on inflammatory bowel diseases, amblyopia, and glucose and lipids metabolism, respectively. In summary, this special issue provides up-to-date and valuable information about the role of acupuncture and Chinese herbs in the life science. Accordingly, future researches with modern technologies would further advance our understanding of the biological effects and cellular/molecular bases for acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in diverse diseases.

From the overall concept of traditional Chinese medicine and dialectical thinking to talk about individual anesthesia

Background In recent years,the field of anesthesiology began to focus on anesthesia-related influence on the long-term prognosis of patients.But there are still a lot of not effectively solve the problems,especially side effects of nacotics on the body,perioperative regulation of vital functions on patients,perioperative vital organ function protection is still plagued to the anesthesiologists.Objective Preliminary study Chinese medicine dialectical thinking on the overall concept and the guiding role of clinical anesthesia,and further that individualized option.Content Modern anesthesiology author encountered in the clinical application of new problems and challenges,combining the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine,Chinese medicine should be made a difference in anesthesiology.Based on the theory of modern anesthesiology guidance of Chinese medicine on the target organ and protection,that individualized program based on the inheritance and development of Chinese medicine provides a new idea.Trend Chinese medicine has its therapeutic purposes in the perioperative period,perianesthesia application,means and theoretical basis,but there are some limitations.Therefore must seek evidence-based medicine,only with evidence-based medicine can be taken by the people and accepted medical treatment in order to reflect the objectivity,and to establish the anesthesia medicine syndrome differentiation system. Key words: Concept of traditional Chinese medicine ; Chinese medicine syndrome ; Individualized anesthesia ;

Deciphering the combination principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine from a systems pharmacology perspective based on Ma-huang Decoction

Ethnopharmacology relevanceThe main therapeutic concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is herb formula, which treats various diseases via potential herb interactions to maximize the efficacy and minimize the adverse effects. However, the combination principle of herb formula still remains a mystery due to the lack of appropriate methods. MethodsA systems pharmacology method integrating the pharmacokinetic analysis, drug targeting, and drug–target–disease network is developed to dissect this rule embedded in the herbal formula. All these are exemplified by a representative TCM formula, Ma-huang decoction, made up of four botanic herbs. ResultsBased on the deep investigation of the function and compatibility of each herb, in a molecular/systems level, we demonstrate the different pharmacological roles that each herb might play in the prescription. By the way of enhancing the bioavailability and/or making the pharmacological synergy among different herbs, the four herbs effectively combine together to be suitable for treating diseases. ConclusionsThe present work lays foundations for a more comprehensive understanding of the combination rule of TCM, which might also be beneficial to drug development and applications.

Traditionelle chinesische Medizin in der Urologie

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient holistic medicine based on the doctrine of Tao and Qi. Tao represents an alteration from which the polarity of Yin and Yang arises and Qi is the vitality which circulates through the body. Therapeutic concepts of TCM include acupuncture, herbal therapy, nutrition and Tuina, a form of manual therapy. TCM is now gaining increased acceptance in the Western society as a complementary therapy. Acupuncture and herbal therapy are the main forms of implementation of TCM in urology.

Imbalanced network biomarkers for traditional Chinese medicine Syndrome in gastritis patients

Cold Syndrome and Hot Syndrome are thousand-year-old key therapeutic concepts in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which depict the loss of body homeostasis. However, the scientific basis of TCM Syndrome remains unclear due to limitations of current reductionist approaches. Here, we established a network balance model to evaluate the imbalanced network underlying TCM Syndrome and find potential biomarkers. By implementing this approach and investigating a group of chronic superficial gastritis (CSG) and chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) patients, we found that with leptin as a biomarker, Cold Syndrome patients experience low levels of energy metabolism, while the CCL2/MCP1 biomarker indicated that immune regulation is intensified in Hot Syndrome patients. Such a metabolism-immune imbalanced network is consistent during the course from CSG to CAG. This work provides a new way to understand TCM Syndrome scientifically, which in turn benefits the personalized medicine in terms of the ancient medicine and complex biological systems.

The Relationship between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Modern Medicine.

The essence of the traditional Chinese medicine has always been the most advanced and experienced therapeutic approach in the world. It has knowledge that can impact the direction of future modern medical development; still, it is easy to find simple knowledge with mark of times and special cultures. The basic structure of traditional Chinese medicine is composed of three parts: one consistent with modern medicine, one involuntarily beyond modern medicine, and one that needs to be further evaluated. The part that is consistent with modern medicine includes consensus on several theories and concepts of traditional Chinese medicine, and usage of several treatments and prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine including commonly used Chinese herbs. The part that is involuntarily beyond modern medicine contains several advanced theories and important concepts of traditional Chinese medicine, relatively advanced treatments, formula and modern prescriptions, leading herbs, acupuncture treatment and acupuncture anesthesia of traditional Chinese medicine that affect modern medicine and incorporates massage treatment that has been gradually acknowledged by modern therapy. The part that needs to be further evaluated consists not only the knowledge of pulse diagnosis, prescription, and herbs, but also many other aspects of traditional Chinese medicine.

A Network-Based Systematic Study for the Mechanism of the Treatment of Zhengs Related to Cough Variant Asthma

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown significant efficacy in the treatment of cough variant asthma (CVA), a special type of asthma. However, there is shortage of explanations for relevant mechanism of treatment. As Zhengs differentiation is a critical concept in TCM, it is necessary to explain the mechanism of treatment of Zhengs. Based on TCM clinical cases, this study illustrated the mechanism of the treatment of three remarkably relevant Zhengs for CVA: “FengXieFanFei,” “FeiQiShiXuan”, and “QiDaoLuanJi.” To achieve this goal, five steps were carried out: (1) determining feature Zhengs and corresponding key herbs of CVA by analyses of clinical cases; (2) finding out potential targets of the key herbs and clustering them based on their functional annotations; (3) constructing an ingredient-herb network and an ingredient network; (4) identifying modules of the ingredient network; (5) illustrating the mechanism of the treatment by further mining the latent biological implications within each module. The systematic study reveals that the treatment of “FengXieFanFei,” “FeiQiShiXuan,” and “QiDaoLuanJi” has effects on the regulation of multiple bioprocesses by herbs containing different ingredients with functions of steroid metabolism regulation, airway inflammation, and ion conduction and transportation. This network-based systematic study will be a good way to boost the scientific understanding of mechanism of the treatment of Zhengs.

An Ancient Concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine Provides a Therapeutic Theory for the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes

In recent decades, the incidence and prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) have increased and this has become a major threat to human health. Pre-diabetes is a period between normal glucose homeostasis and diabetes, and includes impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Intervention in pre- diabetes is a critical therapy in order to prevent T2DM. Recently, many clinicians have begun to focus on this stage of pre-diabetes. Intervention in pre-diabetes is in line with the idea of prevention of disease in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which refers to carrying out minor active therapies to reverse the progress of a disease. Hence, the ancient concept of prevention of disease in TCM could be used in the modern therapy of T2DM. More specifically, an early diagnosis should be made using modern medical methods and treatment should be started at once with modern therapeutic methods as well as complimentary therapy, such as TCM.