Latest ArticlesBronchial asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease involving multiple cells and cell components, posing a serious threat to children’s health. Ethnic minorities have accumulated rich experience in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, with unique theoretical systems and advantageous techniques. To further standardize the diagnosis and treatment of bronchial asthma in children from multiple ethnic medical perspectives and leverage the advantages of multi-ethnic medicine in treating asthma, the Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Bronchial Asthma (bronchial asthma) with Multi-Ethnic Medicine has been formulated. It is applicable to children with a clear diagnosis of bronchial asthma and is suitable for reference by personnel engaged in the teaching and clinical work of bronchial asthma in traditional Chinese medicine and ethnic minority medicine institutions, universities, etc.
To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of Simo Decoction Oral Liquid（四磨汤口服液）in the treatment of functional constipation（Qi stagnation constipation）.
A multicenter, randomized, double-blind and placebocontrolled design was used to randomly divide 80 patients with functional constipation（Qi stagnation constipation）in 7 hospitals from March 2022 to June 2023 into two groups, 40 cases in the experimental group were given oral administration of Simo Decoction Oral Liquid, and 40 cases in the control group were given Simo Decoction Oral Liquid simulant. Both groups took the medicine two sticks for each time, twice a day, and the course was 8 weeks. The response rate of complete spontaneous defecation（CSBM）, the improvement of bowel movement - related symptoms, the scores of TCMsyndromes, the number of emergency drugs taken and the adverse reactions of the two groups were observed.
The overall CSBM response rate in the experimental group（FAS: 77.50%；PPS: 83.80%）was better than that in the control group（FAS: 22.50%；PPS: 17.10%）, with a statistically significant difference（P<0.001）. The weekly CSBMresponse rate of the experimental group（FAS: 82.5%）was significantly better than that of the control group（FAS: 22.50%）, with a statistically significant difference（P<0.001）. The change value of CSBMin the experimental group（FAS: 2.95±1.79）was higher than that of the control group（FAS: 0.74±1.53）, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.001）. The abdominal pain in defecation, abdominal distension, effortful defecation and medication assisted defecation frequency, the primary symptoms（abdominal distension and unpleasant defecation）and the secondary symptoms（intestinal sounding and fullness in the chest and ribs points）of TCMsyndromes, as well as the amount of emergency medication intake before and after the treatment in the experimental group were better than those in the control group, with a statistically significant difference（P<0.05）. No adverse reactions related to the study drug occurred in neither group, the incidence of adverse reactions was 0.
The total CSBMresponse rate of functional constipation（Qi stagnation constipation）treated with Simo Tang Oral Liquid was more than 50% higher than that of the control group, and it significantly improved the bowel movement-related symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal distention, unpleasant defecation, bowel sound, and chest and rib tightness, and the medication was safe.
Metabolic diseases have shown a global trend of high prevalence in recent years, causing a heavy social burden. In Chinese medical theory, the spleen is responsible for transporting water and grain throughout the whole body. The dysfunction of the spleen in transportation would affect the fluidity of the human body, resulting in phlegm and dampness, eventually leading to metabolic disturbance. However, the microscopic mechanism of the above phenomenon remains unclear. Intestinal homeostasis refers to the dynamic state of equilibrium formed by the interaction between the host mucosal barrier and the intestinal microecology. The factors such as intestinal flora and its metabolites, intestinal barrier, intestinal mucosal immunity and the host intestinal function are involved. According to the theory of visceral manifestations, the intestinal tract belongs to the spleen category in traditional Chinese medicine, and the destruction of intestinal homeostasis is closely related to metabolic diseases. This article proposes that the “intestinal origin theory”of metabolic diseases could provide a new scientific interpretation of the traditional Chinese medicine theory of spleen dysfunction in transportation, explain its scientific connotation and provide a novel intervention target for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases by traditional Chinese medicine.
Chinese medicines are collected, concocted and prepared under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory, which explains the mechanism of drug action and guides clinical application, and is the crystallisation of the wisdom of the Chinese nation handed down for thousands of years. Due to the complexity of the mechanism of action of Chinese medicines, the development of the Chinese medicine industry is still in a relatively conservative stage. The rise of digital intelligence technology has brought new opportunities for the Chinese medicine industry and made significant progress. Digital intelligence technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and intelligent senses are applied to traditional Chinese medicine identification, concoctions, preparations and quality evaluation, which have contributed to the vigorous development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry and driven the development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry. With the continuous progress and innovation of technology, the application of traditional Chinese medicine will be more scientific, efficient and environmentally friendly to better serve human health and make new contributions to the world health. On this basis, this paper discussed the application of digital intelligence technology in the field of traditional Chinese medicine and its development prospects, with a view to providing reference for the modern application of traditional Chinese medicine.
To investigate the regulation effect of astragalus polysaccharide on lung cancer-bearing mice in vivo immunity and tumor cell growth.
A total of 72 SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a model group（treated with an equal volume of normal saline by gavage）, a positive control group（treated with cisplatin 6.0 mg/kg via intraperitoneal injection）, a low-dose group（treated with astragalus polysaccharide solution 50 mg/kg by gavage, at a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL）and a high-dose group（treated with astragalus polysaccharide solution 100 mg/kg by gavage, at a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL）, with 18 mice in each group. The tumor volume, tumor mass, tumor inhibition rate, T lymphocyte count in peripheral blood and Survivin protein expression in tumor tissues were compared among the groups 14 days after modeling. Flow cytometry was used to detect the staging distribution of tumor cells in the tumor tissues of mice in each group.
Compared with those in the model group, the tumor volume and tumor mass in the positive control, low-dose and high-dose groups were all significantly lower（P<0.05）. Specifically, the tumor volume and tumor mass in the positive control group were significantly lower than those in the low-dose and high-dose groups（P<0.05）, while the tumor inhibition rate was significantly higher（P<0.05）. Furthermore, the tumor volume and tumor mass in the high-dose group were lower than those in the low-dose group（P<0.05）, and the tumor inhibition rate was higher（P<0.05）. In terms of peripheral blood, the levels of CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ in the low-dose and high-dose groups were higher than those in the model and positive control groups（P<0.05）, while the CD8+ level was lower（P<0.05）. Additionally, the levels of CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ in the high-dose group were higher than those in the low-dose group（P<0.05）, and the CD8+ level was lower（P<0.05）. Regarding Survivin protein expression in tumor tissues, the scores in the positive control, low-dose and high-dose groups were all lower than those in the model group（P<0.05）. Notably, the Survivin protein expression in the positive control group was lower than that in the low-dose and high-dose groups（P<0.05）, and the expression in the high-dose group was lower than that in the low-dose group（P<0.05）. Finally, the proportions of S-phase cells in tumor tissues were higher in the positive control, low-dose and high-dose groups compared to those in the model group（P<0.05）. Specifically, the proportion of S-phase cells in the positive control group was higher than that in the low-dose and high-dose groups（P<0.05）, and the proportion in the high-dose group was higher than that in the low-dose group（P<0.05）.
Astragalus polysaccharide can regulate the immune function and reduce the expression of Survivin protein in the treatment of lung cancer-bearing mice, thereby inhibiting the growth of tumor cells.
To study the clinical observation on the treatment of cervical spondylosis by acupuncture and moxibustion combined with Modified Guizhi Jia Gegen Decoction（桂枝加葛根汤加减）guided by the meridian tendons theory.
Eighty-two patients diagnosed as cervical spondylosis were selected and divided into two groups according to the random number table. Forty-one cases in the reference group were treated with Modified Guizhi Jia Gegen Decoction, and forty-one cases in the study group were treated with acupuncture and moxibustion and Modified Guizhi Jia Gegen Decoction based on the theory of meridian tendons. The clinical efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）syndrome scores, scales scores and inflammatory indexes of the two groups were observed and compared.
Compared with that of the reference group, the total effective rate of the study group was 97.56%（40/41）, higher than that（75.61%, 31/41）of the reference group, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）. After treatment, the TCMsyndrome scores of the study group were lower than those of the reference group, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）. After treatment, compared with those of the reference group, the pain visual analogue scale（VAS）and cervical dysfunction index scale（NDI）were lower in the study group, and the joint motion rating（ROM）and manual muscle strength rating（MMT）were higher in the study group, with statistical significance（P<0.05）. After treatment, the levels of C-reactive protein（CRP）and erythrocyte sedimentation rate（ESR）in the study group were lower than those in the reference group, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）.
For patients with cervical spondylosis, acupuncture and moxibustion guided by the theory of meridian tendons combined with Modified Guizhi Jia Gegen Decoction can effectively improve the therapeutic effect, relieve the clinical symptoms, reduce the inflammatory response and promote the recovery of the patients, with high clinical application value.
Diabetic nephropathy（DN）is one of the major microvascular complications of diabetes, and its pathogenesis is complex, involving apoptosis of renal tissue cells induced by hyperglycemic environment, abnormal activation of related enzymes, inflammation and oxidative stress, non-enzymatic glycosylation of proteins, abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix and abnormal lipid metabolism. Baicalin, a flavonoid compound extracted and isolated from the root of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Huangqin（Scutellariae Radix）, possesses a wide range of pharmacological effects. In recent years, with the continuous exploration of new applications for traditional Chinese medicine, baicalin has been found to have apreventive and therapeutic effect on DN. Therefore, this article summarized and reviewed the research progress in the mechanism of baicalin preventing and treating DN in recent years, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and foundation for further research on the prevention and treatment of DN with baicalin in the future.
Ruxiang（Frankincense）has been imported since the ancient times and is one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicines in clinical practice. However, there is a discrepancy between the actual used species and those recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Combining field investigations with textual research helps to clarify the truth. This study aims to restore the historical context of Ruxiang（Frankincense）, conducting the field investigations in Oman, the main producing area of Ruxiang（Frankincense）, covering the distribution of Ruxiang（Boswellia）plants, the origin of their Latin names, harvesting and processing methods, specifications and producing areas. It also integrates the researches such as consulting specimens from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, investigations at port drug inspection institutes and medicinal material markets, as well as sorting out the historical literature, to explore the historical evolution and changes of Ruxiang（Frankincense）in terms of producing areas and species. The results show that Ruxiang（Frankincense）was introduced to China as early as in the Han Dynasty via land and sea routes, originating from the Arabian region, and is the resin exuded from the bark of Arabic Ruxiangshu（Boswellia sacra）. Both Kashi Ruxiangshu（Boswellia carterii）and Kashi Ruxiangshu（Boswellia bhaw-dajiana）recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia are synonyms of Arabic Ruxiangshu（Boswellia sacra）. Ruxiang（Frankincense）is obtained by cutting the bark with a special tool called “menguf”；after the exuded resin dries, it is harvested using the same “menguf”. It is classified into four types according to its producing area, with the best quality coming from inland regions with a dry and hot climate. During the mid to late Tang Dynasty, maritime imports became the main source, still dominated by Arabic Ruxiangshu（Boswellia sacra）. In the Song Dynasty, new producing areas of frankincense emerged in East African countries such as Somalia, and the origin of Ruxiang（Frankincense）included multiple species of the Boswellia genus. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, Sri Lanka and India were added as the new producing areas, and Chiye Ruxiangshu（Boswellia serrata）was included as an additional origin of frankincense. In modern times, Sudan has become the main producing area, with Zhipi Ruxiangshu（Boswellia papyrifera）as the primary source of Ruxiang（Frankincense）, which is inconsistent with both the records in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the historical facts that Oman was the main producing area and Arabic Ruxiangshu（Boswellia sacra）was the primary origin of Ruxiang（Frankincense）in the past dynasties. The research results are helpful for restoring the ancient species and producing areas of Ruxiang（Frankincense）, and provide references for the revision of the Latin names and species of Ruxiang（Frankincense）in the next edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the addition of producing countries of frankincense in the Catalogue ofNon-first-time Imported Medicinal Materials.
Banxia（Pinelliae Rhizoma）contains various chemical components such as alkaloids, organic acids, volatile oils, amino acids and sterols. Traditionally, it is known for its effects of drying dampness and resolving phlegm, descending counterflow to stop vomiting, and dispersing masses and nodules. Modern research has revealed that Banxia（Pinelliae Rhizoma）also possesses pharmacological activities, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiepileptic effects. However, it is associated with adverse reactions such as mucosal irritation, hepatorenal toxicity and embryotoxicity. Due to its “toxic”nature, Banxia（Pinelliae Rhizoma）must be processed before oral administration. This article systematically reviewed the chemical composition, pharmacological effects and toxicity of Banxia（Pinelliae Rhizoma）. Furthermore, it introduced the core concept of the quality marker（Q-marker）of traditional Chinese medicine. Based on this, potential Q-markers of Banxia（Pinelliae Rhizoma）were predicted and analyzed from multiple perspectives, including plant phylogeny and chemical specificity, traditional medicinal properties, chemical transformations during processing, component measurability and compositional expression in compatibility environments. The aim was to provide a theoretical foundation for establishing a scientific and comprehensive quality standard for Banxia（Pinelliae Rhizoma）.
To study the effect of benefiting Qi and elevating Zong method in the treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction（HFpEF）.
From December 2019 to May 2021, 60 patients with HFpEF treated in Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected as the research objects. They were divided into two groups by random number grouping method, 30 patients in the control group and 30 patients in the observation group. The patients in the control group were treated with standardized heart failure drugs, and those in the observation group were treated with Yiqi Shengzong Decoction（益气升宗汤）on the basis of the control group. After 4 weeks of treatment, the syndrome efficacy, cardiac structure and cardiac function indexes, vascular inflammation indexes, quality of life and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.
The curative effect of the observation group was better than that of the control group, and the total effective rate was 96.67%（29/30）vs 73.33%（22/30）（P<0.05）. The left atrial volume index（LAVI）, left ventricular mass index（LVMI）, early diastolic mitral flow velocity/early diastolic mitral annular velocity（E/e＇）and tricuspid regurgitation peak velocity（TRV）were significantly decreased in the two groups. Compared with those of the control group, the values of each index in the observation group were lower（P<0.05）. After treatment, the 6-minute walking test（6MWT）distance of the two groups increased, and the 6MWT of the observation group was longer than that of the control group（P<0.05）. After treatment, the levels of serum C-reactive protein（CRP）and soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2（sST2）in the two groups were significantly decreased, and those in the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group（P<0.05）. After treatment, the scores of Minnesota Heart Failure Quality of Life Scale（MLHFQ）in the two groups were significantly decreased, and those in the observation group were significantly lower than the control group（P<0.05）. No serious adverse reactions occurred in both groups.
The treatment of HFpEF with benefiting Qi and elevating Zong method is satisfactory, and the curative effect of syndrome and NYHA cardiac function is better. It can significantly improve the cardiac structure and cardiac function index, vascular inflammation index and the quality of life. It is an effective and safe medication regimen and is worthy of application.
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