Understanding Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Articles

The complete Chloroplast genome of Stachys geobombycis and comparative analysis with related Stachys species

Herb genomics, at the forefront of traditional Chinese medicine research, combines genomics with traditional practices, facilitating the scientific validation of ancient remedies. This integration enhances public understanding of traditional Chinese medicine’s efficacy and broadens its scope in modern healthcare. Stachys species encompass annual or perennial herbs or small shrubs, exhibiting simple petiolate or sessile leaves. Despite their wide-ranging applications across various fields, molecular data have been lacking, hindering the precise identification and taxonomic elucidation of Stachys species. To address this gap, we assembled the complete chloroplast (CP) genome of Stachys geobombycis and conducted reannotation and comparative analysis of seven additional species within the Stachys genus. The findings demonstrate that the CP genomes of these species exhibit quadripartite structures, with lengths ranging from 14,523 to 150,599 bp. Overall, the genome structure remains relatively conserved, hosting 131 annotated genes, including 87 protein coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Additionally, 78 to 98 SSRs and long repeat sequences were detected , and notably, 6 highly variable regions were identified as potential molecular markers in the CP genome through sequence alignment. Phylogenetic analysis based on Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods strongly supported the phylogenetic position of the genus Stachys as a member of Stachydeae tribe. Overall, this comprehensive bioinformatics study of Stachys CP genomes lays the groundwork for phylogenetic classification, plant identification, genetic engineering, evolutionary studies, and breeding research concerning medicinal plants within the Stachys genus.

TCMNPAS: a comprehensive analysis platform integrating network formulaology and network pharmacology for exploring traditional Chinese medicine

The application of network formulaology and network pharmacology has significantly advanced the scientific understanding of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment mechanisms in disease. The field of herbal biology is experiencing a surge in data generation. However, researchers are encountering challenges due to the fragmented nature of the data and the reliance on programming tools for data analysis. We have developed TCMNPAS, a comprehensive analysis platform that integrates network formularology and network pharmacology. This platform is designed to investigate in-depth the compatibility characteristics of TCM formulas and their potential molecular mechanisms. TCMNPAS incorporates multiple resources and offers a range of functions designed for automated analysis implementation, including prescription mining, molecular docking, network pharmacology analysis, and visualization. These functions enable researchers to analyze and obtain core herbs and core formulas from herbal prescription data through prescription mining. Additionally, TCMNPAS facilitates virtual screening of active compounds in TCM and its formulas through batch molecular docking, allowing for the rapid construction and analysis of networks associated with “herb-compound-target-pathway” and disease targets. Built upon the integrated analysis concept of network formulaology and network pharmacology, TCMNPAS enables quick point-and-click completion of network-based association analysis, spanning from core formula mining from clinical data to the exploration of therapeutic targets for disease treatment. TCMNPAS serves as a powerful platform for uncovering the combinatorial rules and mechanism of TCM formulas holistically. We distribute TCMNPAS within an open-source R package at GitHub (https://github.com/yangpluszhu/tcmnpas), and the project is freely available at http://54.223.75.62:3838/.

Comparison about the treatment of bronchial asthma by traditional Chinese medicine from various nationalities in China

This paper discusses the understanding of traditional Chinese medicine, Uyghur medicine, Tibetan medicine and Mongolian medicine on bronchial asthma, and discusses the causes and pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation, treatment principles and treatment drugs, respectively. It compares the similarities and differences of different ethnic groups’ traditional medicines on bronchial asthma treatment, so as to help each ethnic group learn from each other and further improve their understanding of asthma.

Exploring Japanese Kampo medicine in fighting epidemics: discovering and popularising croton and satou as 'specific drugs' to treat cholera

Japanese Kampo medicine (medicine with Han Fang) was found effective to treat some epidemic diseases.Historical records show that Namikawa Saimin, a Kampo medicine (Han Fang Medicine) practitioner during the cholera pandemic in the period of Ansei in Japan (1858-1860), discovered that the treatment effect of croton fruit against cholera was remarkable. Another physician in Naniwa also found that satou (Zhǎ Dá, visceral stones of animals and livestock) had the same effect in treating cholera. Subsequently, Wani Tadatane, an official physician in Komatsu Han of Iyo Province, learned about Namikawa Saimin and the use of croton fruit, and a medical officer in Kohofu, Masugi Fuminori, also heard of the story of the physician from Naniwa. Wani Tadatane and Masugi Fuminori verified the effect of croton fruit and satou on cholera treatment respectively. They regarded these two medical materials as the 'specific drugs' for cholera treatment by drawing on the interpretation and understanding of traditional Chinese medicine in terms of the efficacy of these two drugs. In this sense, croton fruit as a 'specific drug' for cholera treatment was widely accepted in the Kampo medical field (Han medicine area in Japan). The development of the use of satou by Masugi Fuminori could not be traced back because of the lack of historical records.

American Patients’ Understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Late 19th Century: An Interpretation of Letters from The Science of Oriental Medicine

This study explores American patients’ understanding of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the late 19th century by referring to letters from American patients recorded in The Science of Oriental Medicine, written by Tan Fuyuan (谭富园), a Chinese medicine doctor working in the United States in the late Qing dynasty. Identifying a focus on significant effects, pulse diagnosis, herbal teas, dietary control, and long-term treatment, the results also discussed the differences between TCM and Western medicine in simple terms to show that the “ideological” spread of TCM was based on its curative effect. However, the “theoretical” spread of TCM requires more of intercultural exchanges.

Description Générale de la Chine and the Spread of Traditional Chinese Medicine to the West in the 18th Century

Description Générale de la Chine is an important sinology masterpiece published in France in the late 18th century. Its author Jean-Baptiste Grosier summarized and rearranged a large number of first-hand materials to systematically introduce China's national traditions and culture. A great part of this book introduced ancient Chinese medicine, which facilitated the unbiased understanding of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Europe and fostered a knowledge dialogue between the Chinese and Western medicine systems. Such content also provided a historical reference for how to promote the further going out of TCM to the world.

Identification of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes involved in the metabolism of 23-hydroxybetulinic acid in human liver microsomes

Context 23-Hydroxybetulinic acid (23-HBA), a major active constituent of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel (Ranunculaceae), exhibits potential antitumor activity. Its metabolism, however, has not yet been studied. Objective This study focuses on the metabolism of 23-HBA in vitro by human liver microsomes. Materials and methods The metabolic kinetics of 23-HBA (0.5–100 µM) and the effects of selective CYP450 (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4) inhibitors on metabolism of 23-HBA were evaluated in human liver microsomes incubation system and then determined by LC-MS method. The Michaelis–Menten parameters Km and Vmax were initially estimated by analysing Lineweaver–Burk plot. The clearance (CLint ) was also calculated. Results The Vmax, Km, and CLint of 23-HBA were 256.41 ± 11.20 pmol/min/mg, 11.10 ± 1.07 μM, and 23.10 ± 1.32 μL/min/mg, respectively. The metabolism of 23-HBA was significantly inhibited by furafylline (0.05 μM, p < 0.01) and ketoconazole (0.02 μM, p < 0.05). Ticlopidine (1.3 μM, p < 0.05) could inhibit the metabolism of 23-HBA, while the other inhibitors (sulfaphenazole and quinidine) showed nonsignificant inhibition on the metabolism of 23-HBA. Discussion and conclusions This is the first investigation of the metabolism of 23-HBA in human liver microsomes. The in vitro study indicates that CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 are mainly involved in the metabolism of 23-HBA. Special attention should be given to the pharmacokinetic and clinical outcomes when 23-HBA was co-administrated with other compounds mainly undergoing CYP1A2/CYP3A4-mediated metabolism. Further studies are needed to evaluate the significance of this interaction and strengthen the understanding of traditional Chinese medicine.

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine components on multidrug resistance in tumors mediated by P-glycoprotein.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major cause of chemotherapy failure. It occurs when an organism is resistant to one type of drug, but also develops resistance to other drugs with different structures and targets. There is a high incidence of MDR in cancer chemotherapy, therefore, finding an effective and non-toxic MDR reversal agent is an important goal, particularly for P-glycoprotein-mediated MDR in cancer. Improvements continue to be made to the status and understanding of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), due to the advantages of low toxicity and relatively minor side effects. Therefore TCM is currently being used in the treatment of various types of diseases. In recent years, numerous components of TCM have been identified to be effective in reversing MDR by downregulating expression of the drug transporter membrane protein, recovering changes in enzymes involved in detoxification and metabolism and repairing the cell apoptosis pathway. The present study summarizes the anticancerous properties and MDR reversing components of traditional medicinal plants commonly used in the treatment of cancer.

Chinese single herbs and active ingredients for postmenopausal osteoporosis: From preclinical evidence to action mechanism.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a systemic metabolic skeletal disease generally ascribable to a dearth of estrogen. Whether traditional Chinese medicine is effective in management of postmenopausal osteoporosis remains unclear. This article reviews the experimental evidence of both in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies with the theme of the application of Chinese single herbs and active ingredients in postmenopausal osteoporosis. It includes three single herbs (Herba Epimedium, Rhizoma Drynariae, and Salvia miltiorrhiza) and eight active ingredients (saikosaponins, linarin, echinacoside, sweroside, psoralen, poncirin, vanillic acid, and osthole). The experimental studies indicated their potential use as treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis and investigated the underlying mechanisms including osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (OPG/RANKL), extracellular-signal-regulated kinase/c-Jun N terminal kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/JNK/MAPK), estrogen receptor (ER), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch signaling pathways. This review contributes to a better understanding of traditional Chinese medicine and provides useful information for the development of more effective anti-osteoporosis drugs.

Analysis Methods of Use Acupuncture Diagnostics in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Under Comorbidity

When optimizing the use of acupuncture methods in the complex treatment of patients with MS, important individual approach to treatment is based on a differentiated compilation of recipes acupuncture, built according to the diagnostic data obtained on the basis of current scientific knowledge and understanding of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)&#x0D; The objective: to determine the features of these acupuncture diagnostic methods (ADM) in MS patients based on comorbidity and clarify their relationship with the clinical neurological symptoms of MS patients examined.&#x0D; Patients and methods. ADM was conducted in 216 patients with MS who were divided into 2 groups: without concomitant diseases (n=109) and the presence of concomitant diseases (n=107).&#x0D; Results. When conducting syndromic ADM according to TCM, in all patients (100%) of us was diagnosed three dominant syndrome of TCM, which we have identified as the main: «spleen qi deficiency», «deficiency of liver and kidney yin», «liver qi stagnation».&#x0D; Conclusions. As a result of multi-component ADM MS patients were identified pre-emptive involvement in the pathological process of functional systems TCM «Spleen-pancreas», «Kidney», «Liver».

The Impact of a Cultural Immersion Study Abroad Experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Study abroad programs have increased dramatically. Most programs are short-term and include a cultural immersion as well as classroom and/or service learning. In this article, the authors discuss a study abroad program to China that included cultural immersion and classroom learning specific to traditional Chinese medicine. Participants kept journals with specific writing assignments and reflections about their experiences during the trip. At the conclusion of the trip, a qualitative survey was administered to the participants. Outcomes included the benefits of cultural immersion and a greater appreciation of cultural diversity, complementary and alternative medicine and holistic health care. Participants were able to describe transformational experiences of living in and learning from the Chinese culture and peoples. They intended to incorporate their experiences and enhanced understanding of traditional Chinese medicine and complementary and alternative therapies to provide culturally competent holistic health care in their nursing practice.

An Integrative Platform of TCM Network Pharmacology and Its Application on a Herbal Formula,Qing-Luo-Yin

The scientific understanding of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been hindered by the lack of methods that can explore the complex nature and combinatorial rules of herbal formulae. On the assumption that herbal ingredients mainly target a molecular network to adjust the imbalance of human body, here we present a-self-developed TCM network pharmacology platform for discovering herbal formulae in a systematic manner. This platform integrates a set of network-based methods that we established previously to catch the network regulation mechanism and to identify active ingredients as well as synergistic combinations for a given herbal formula. We then provided a case study on an antirheumatoid arthritis (RA) formula, Qing-Luo-Yin (QLY), to demonstrate the usability of the platform. We revealed the target network of QLY against RA-related key processes including angiogenesis, inflammatory response, and immune response, based on which we not only predicted active and synergistic ingredients from QLY but also interpreted the combinatorial rule of this formula. These findings are either verified by the literature evidence or have the potential to guide further experiments. Therefore, such a network pharmacology strategy and platform is expected to make the systematical study of herbal formulae achievable and to make the TCM drug discovery predictable.

Pharmacodynamic Differential Serum Chromatography for Identifying the Pharmacodynamic Material Basis of a Traditional Chinese Medicine

The modernization and marketing of traditional Chinese medicine is difficult primarily because its pharmacodynamic material basis has not been elucidated. Moreover, a central problem is the lack of effective research methods and strategies. After >20 years of study, here, we propose the theory of pharmacodynamic differential serum chromatography. The method described here can be used to identify (and possibly develop) effective pharmacodynamic materials. In light of the theory, we identified hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) to be the effective pharmacodynamic material of Carthamus tinctorius L. (safflower). With the help of the methodology described here, the modernization and understanding of traditional Chinese medicine may be accelerated.

The Application of Virtual Simulation Technology in Chinese Herbal Medicine Teaching

Virtual simulation technology plays an important role in educational engineering. The limitation of enough Chinese herbal medicines and instrument obscured the better understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In this paper, the concept of virtual simulation technology and its application was outlined in the teaching of TCM theory and experiments. The superiority and insufficiency of this technology was also approached. The basic idea on building a virtual teaching and simulation platform for TCM was discussed, which may provide referred methods in the innovation of Chinese medicine teaching.

Type 2 diabetes in China: partnerships in education and research to evaluate new antidiabetic treatments

There are 40 million people with diabetes in China, and the projected increase in the rates of obesity and premature cardiovascular disease is alarming. Most patients prefer to combine traditional Chinese medicine with Western medicine, but there is little or no information about the risks and benefits of this approach. Traditional Chinese medicine identifies three patterns of 'depletion-thirst' syndrome and therapy is aimed at reversing the deficiency in yin and qi, using a combination of products tailored to the symptoms and clinical features of individual patients. In Western medicine a number of new oral and injectable antidiabetic therapies are likely to enter routine clinical practice over the next 5 years, for example long-acting GLP-1 analogues, DPP-IV inhibitors and dual PPAR-alpha, PPAR-gamma agonists. To make best use of these agents in China and to promote diabetes education and health service development, there is a need for improved communication and collaboration between universities and hospitals both inside and outside China; and Western pharmacologists and clinicians need a better understanding of traditional Chinese medicine. There are several examples of institutional cooperation that should further diabetes research in China, for example the Beijing Chaoyang Diabetes Hospital linked with Imperial College, London, and the University of Nottingham, which has a new campus in Ningbo, south of Shanghai.