An improved association-mining research for exploring Chinese herbal property theory: based on data of the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica

Knowledge Discovery in Databases is gaining attention and raising new hopes for traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） researchers. It is a useful tool in understanding and deciphering TCM theories. Aiming for a better understanding of Chinese herbal property theory （CHPT）, this paper performed an improved association rule learning to analyze semistructured text in the book entitled Shennong＇s Classic of Materia Medica. The text was firstly annotated and transformed to well-structured multidimensional data. Subsequently, an Apriori algorithm was employed for producing association rules after the sensitivity analysis of parameters. From the confirmed 120 resulting rules that described the intrinsic relationships between herbal property （qi, flavor and their combinations） and herbal efficacy, two novel fundamental principles underlying CHPT were acquired and further elucidated： （1） the many-to-one mapping of herbal efficacy to herbal property; （2） the nonrandom overlap between the related efficacy of qi and flavor. This work provided an innovative knowledge about CHPT, which would be helpful for its modern research.

Protection and Quality Control of Wild Chinese Herbal Medicine Resources in Nature Reserves by Taking Longyuwan Scenic Spot Within Funiu Mountain Nature Reserve as an Example

This paper discussed how to protect and control the quality of wild Chinese herbal medicine resources in nature reserves by taking Longyuwan National Forest Park within Funiu Mountain Nature Reserve as an example. Through the combination of three methods including literature review, visiting and investigational studies, and field surveys, the data of investigation, collection and collation were analyzed. According to data of surveys, collection and collation, problems related to the protection of wild Chinese herbal medicine resources faced by Longyuwan Scenic Spot within Funiu Mountain Nature Reserve were also analyzed and protection strategies and quality control of wild Chinese herbal medicine resources in this nature reserve were discussed. It was expected that the results would provide important scientific references for the sustainable development, protection and quality control of wild Chinese herbal medicine resources within nature reserves.

Envisioning the Profile of Chinese Culture——from the Perspective of the Social Value Theory

For a few decades China has undergone an enduring, drastic and complicated transformation. The structure and form of Chinese culture has been profoundly shaped and re-shaped during this process. With careful analysis of the history and the actualities, this paper presents a sketch of Chinese culture that highlights three significant traits; an elegant temperament featuring both classicality and novelty, an intrinsic value focusing on nature and freedom, and an encompassing structure marked by harmonious diversity. A new Chinese culture has already revealed her profile against the sunglow at the dawn of the new era. Beautiful and promising as it is, Chinese people believe that she deserves being heartily applauded, warmly welcomed, and boldly embraced.

Control of autoimmune arthritis by herbal extracts and their bioactive components

Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cause significant morbidity and loss of productivity. Many potent conventionally used drugs are available for these diseases, but their prolonged use is accompanied by severe adverse effects besides a high cost.Therefore, there is an unmet need for effective but less expensive medications for RA and other autoimmune diseases. Natural plant products belonging to the traditional systems of medicine, such as the traditional Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurvedic medicine, offer a vast and promising resource in this regard. However, herbal medicinal products are often poorly characterized for their composition as well as mechanisms of action. We review here the results of our systematically performed studies aimed at defining the anti-arthritic activity of three herbal extracts, namely, modified Huo-luo-xiao-ling dan (HLXL), Celastrus aculeatus Merr., and polyphenolic fraction of green tea (Camellia sinensis), as well as a purifiedcompound Celastrol, a bioactive component of Celastrus. Specifically, we examined the effects of these herbal products on the immunological, biochemical and molecular biological effector pathways in autoimmune arthritis. We have also reviewed here related studies on these herbal products by other investigators. Taken together, we suggest further testing of these herbal products in RA patients.

Transplanted: Chinese Herbal Medicine in the United States, 1800-1911

Chinese medicine has a long history in the United States, dating back to its colonial period and extending up to the present. This essay focuses on the earliest generation of practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine in the United States. Although acupuncture is the modality most commonly associated with Chinese medicine in today's medical marketplace, up until the 1970s, Chinese healers in the United States typically specialized in herbalism. Well before mass emigration from China to the United States began, Chinese material medica crossed the oceans, in both directions: Chinese medicinal teas and herbs came west while Appalachian ginseng went east. Beginning in the 1850s, Chinese immigrants came to the United States and transplanted their health practices, sometimes quite literally by propagating medicinal plants in their adopted home. Over time, Chinese doctors learned how to sell their services to non-Chinese patients by presenting herbalism as “nature's remedies.”

“Tasks”versus“Disciplines”:The Comprehensive Surveys of Natural Resources by the Chinese Academy of Sciences,and the Politics of Science Policy in the People’s Republic of China

As soon as the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)was founded by the new government of the People’s Republic of China in 1949,the principles of“linking theory with practice”and“conducting research to serve the people”set the framework for its scientific studies.How to balance their obligations to facilitate national economic construction with their desires to advance disciplinary scientific developments posed a knotty problem that frustrated those who organized and engaged in scientific research across the country,and in the CAS in particular.Against this background,the slogan“let tasks lead disciplines”was proposed as an effective solution.However,how exactly to put this into practice became a pressing issue,as CAS scientists and scholars debated the relationship between tasks and advances within scientific disciplines.This paper examines these debates as they were carried out in the case of the comprehensive surveys of natural resources organized by the CAS,focusing especially on different understandings of the relationship between“tasks”and“disciplines”within the CAS in the early 1960s,and examining the impact and legacy of“letting tasks lead disciplinary developments,”with possible lessons for the formulation of scientific plans today.

The Regulatory Action of the Modified Yu Ping Feng Tang on Cellular Immunity in Mice under Amputation-Induced Stress

To approach the action of modified Yu Ping Feng Tang ([symbol: see text] Jade-Screen Decoction) on cellular immunity, an experiment was conducted in mice under amputation-induced stress. On the 3rd day after amputation, acute atrophy was found in the thymus, the reactivities of T- and B-lymphocytes to Con-A and LPS were decreased, the IL-2 content and its activity reduced and the activity of NK cells lowered. The high, moderate and low concentrations of the modified Yu Ping Feng (YPF) Decoction all have antagonistic action on the above manifestations of immune inhibition.

From ancient wisdom to modern science:Gut microbiota sheds light on property theory of traditional Chinese medicine

The property theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been practiced for thousands of years,playing a pivotal role in the clinical application of TCM. While advancements in energy metabolism,chemical composition analysis, machine learning, ion current modeling, and supercritical fluid technology have provided valuable insight into how aspects of TCM property theory may be measured, these studies only capture specific aspects of TCM property theory in isolation, overlooking the holistic perspective inherent in TCM. To systematically investigate the modern interpretation of the TCM property theory from multidimensional perspectives, we consulted the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition) to compile a list of Chinese materia medica(CMM). Then, using the Latin names of each CMM and gut microbiota as keywords, we searched the PubMed database for relevant research on gut microbiota and CMM. The regulatory patterns of different herbs on gut microbiota were then summarized from the perspectives of the four natures, the five flavors and the meridian tropism. In terms of the four natures, we found that warm-natured medicines promoted the colonization of specific beneficial bacteria,while cold-natured medicines boosted populations of some beneficial bacteria while suppressing pathogenic bacteria. Analysis of the five flavors revealed that sweet-flavored and bitter-flavored CMMs positively influenced beneficial bacteria while inhibiting harmful bacteria. CMMs with different meridian tropism exhibited complex modulative patterns on gut microbiota, with Jueyin(Liver) and Taiyin(Lung) meridian CMMs generally exerting a stronger effect. The gut microbiota may be a biological indicator for characterizing the TCM property theory, which not only enhances our understanding of classic TCM theory but also contributes to its scientific advancement and application in healthcare.

In silico screening of Chinese herbal medicines with the potential to directly inhibit 2019 novel coronavirus

Objective: In this study we execute a rational screen to identify Chinese medical herbs that are commonly used in treating viral respiratory infections and also contain compounds that might directly inhibit 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV), an ongoing novel coronavirus that causes pneumonia.Methods: There were two main steps in the screening process. In the first step we conducted a literature search for natural compounds that had been biologically confirmed as against sever acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus or Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Resulting compounds were cross-checked for listing in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database.Compounds meeting both requirements were subjected to absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion(ADME) evaluation to verify that oral administration would be effective. Next, a docking analysis was used to test whether the compound had the potential for direct 2019-nCoV protein interaction.In the second step we searched Chinese herbal databases to identify plants containing the selected compounds. Plants containing 2 or more of the compounds identified in our screen were then checked against the catalogue for classic herbal usage. Finally, network pharmacology analysis was used to predict the general in vivo effects of each selected herb.Results: Of the natural compounds screened, 13 that exist in traditional Chinese medicines were also found to have potential anti-2019-nCoV activity. Further, 125 Chinese herbs were found to contain 2 or more of these 13 compounds. Of these 125 herbs, 26 are classically catalogued as treating viral respiratory infections. Network pharmacology analysis predicted that the general in vivo roles of these26 herbal plants were related to regulating viral infection, immune/inflammation reactions and hypoxia response.Conclusion: Chinese herbal treatments classically used for treating viral respiratory infection might contain direct anti-2019-nCoV compounds.

Herbal medicines and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD), which is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver of patients who consume little or no alcohol, becomes increasingly common with rapid economic development. Long-term excess fat accumulation leads to NAFLD and represents a global health problem with no effective therapeutic approach. NAFLD is considered to be a series of complex, multifaceted pathological processes involving oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and metabolism. Over the past decades, herbal medicines have garnered growing attention as potential therapeutic agents to prevent and treat NAFLD, due to their high efficacy and low risk of side effects. In this review, we evaluate the use of herbal medicines(including traditional Chinese herbal formulas, crude extracts from medicinal plants, and pure natural products) to treat NAFLD. These herbal medicines are natural resources that can inform innovative drug research and the development of treatments for NAFLD in the future.

外来中药辣木叶的药性与功用再探索

辣木叶(Moringa spp.)是印度传统草药,因其具有降血糖、降血脂、抗氧化、利尿、改善睡眠、增强人体免疫力、延缓衰老、抗肿瘤等作用而引起人们的广泛关注。辣木叶目前合法引入中国,并因其确切的药理活性与安全无毒的药物属性,应用与研究日益增多。但当前其暂无中药标准,仅有少量药性记载。辣木叶的中药药性亟待完善,以有利于辣木叶与中药合理配伍运用从而充分发挥其应有的价值。以“文献研究→理论探讨→药性验证→临床实践”为路径构建新外来药物“中药化”的研究策略与范式,以临床应用为依据、实验研究为参考,进行外来中药辣木叶的药性与功用的深入探讨,对规范其应用具有重要意义。

中国心学的多重意蕴

中国心学具有多重意蕴:一是广义的心学,凡重视心,对心及心与诸范畴的关系展开系统论述的即是广义之心学,包括儒家心性之学等;二是佛教、道教心学,其以心本论为特征,并对理学产生了重要影响;三是心本论心学,指以心为宇宙万物的本原、万物之所以存在的根据的心学,这是比较典型的心学,以陆王心学等为代表,当然也包括了佛教、道教心学。多重意蕴之心学,包括儒佛道三教融合与互动,促进了中国心学的演变发展,体现了中国哲学重视哲学思辨和主体意识,注重道德理性,突出主体思维,强调内省修养,培养理想人格等基本特征,是合本体论、认识论、伦理学、人性论和修养论为一体的思辨性哲学体系。

关于坚持我国宗教中国化方向的若干理论思考

习近平总书记提出的“坚持我国宗教中国化方向”,是中国特色社会主义宗教理论的重大创新,是马克思主义中国化、时代化,在认识和处理我国宗教问题上的光辉典范和具体运用。我国宗教中国化必将给我国新时代中国特色社会主义建设时期的宗教带来重大变革,必将对我国宗教的未来发展产生深远影响。这种重大变革和深远影响,能够与之相提并论的,只有中华人民共和国成立后我国宗教界肃清帝国主义势力、废除封建特权和压迫剥削,实行独立自主自办、民主管理带来的大变革。本文通过考察1949年以来中国特色社会主义宗教理论形成和不断完善的历程,论证坚持我国宗教中国化方向有着深刻的现实背景和深厚的理论基础,深入推进我国宗教中国化必须始终坚持宗教的群众性观点,更好地让我国宗教中国化的理念和实践为广大信教群众所接受和认同。

基于经筋理论针刀联合中药膏摩治疗胸背肌筋膜炎的临床研究

目的:观察基于经筋理论针刀联合中药膏摩治疗胸背肌筋膜炎(TDMS)的临床疗效。方法:将2022年10月—2023年9月安徽中医药大学第二附属医院收住院的80例TDMS患者随机分为经筋组、西药组,每组各40例。经筋组接受针刀联合中药膏摩治疗,经筋理论指导下行针刀松解,1次/周。膏摩方药物组成包括大黄粉、炒黄柏、炒黄芩、炒黄连、独活、羌活、威灵仙、制玄胡,中药膏摩治疗1次/d,5次/周。3周为1个疗程。西药组口服双氯芬酸钠缓释胶囊(50 mg/次,2次/d,3周为1个疗程)治疗。比较两组患者的疗效、治疗前后视觉模拟量表评分(visual analog scales,VAS)、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(Pittsburgh sleep quality index,PSQI)评分及血清炎性因子肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)水平,并观察在治疗中出现的不良反应。结果:经筋组总有效率(97.50%)高于西药组(67.50%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。治疗后,两组患者VAS评分、TNF-α和IL-1β水平均较治疗前降低,且经筋组低于西药组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01);两组PQSI评分较治疗前提高,经筋组高于西药组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。不良反应发生率经筋组(5.00%)与西药组(12.50%)比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:基于经筋理论针刀联合中药膏摩治疗可有效改善TDMS患者的疼痛程度,减轻炎症情况,提高患者生活质量。

6种中草药提取物对火腿切片典型腐败菌的抑制研究

低温肉制品贮藏期间的微生物腐败现象引起了人们的广泛关注,针对典型腐败菌的控制研究越来越受到重视。本研究中,笔者在火腿切片贮藏期间分离纯化得到了3株典型腐败菌,选取6种中草药提取物以筛选对典型腐败菌抑菌能力较强的单味中草药,并对其进行复配,评估其抑菌效果。结果表明:6种中草药提取物中,石榴皮提取物对绿色魏斯氏菌和清酒乳杆菌的抑菌效果最好,抑菌圈直径分别为10.63和12.73 mm,最小抑菌质量浓度均为15.63~31.25 mg/mL;甘草提取物对肠膜明串珠菌的抑制效果最优,抑菌圈直径为14.68 mm,最小抑菌质量浓度为3.91~7.81 mg/mL;复配提取物中,甘草+乌梅+石榴皮的抑菌性能显著提高,对3株受试菌株均有不错的抑制效果,抑菌圈直径分别为18.17、11.55和12.74 mm。本研究可为低温肉制品中绿色健康的天然防腐剂开发提供参考。

PPAR-γ调控脑胆固醇代谢清除β-淀粉样蛋白改善阿尔茨海默病的研究进展

过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma,PPAR-γ)是配体激活的核转录因子超家族成员之一。活化的PPAR-γ参与调节许多中枢神经系统(central nervous system,CNS)事件,通过诱导或抑制一系列基因、蛋白等途径参与脑胆固醇代谢,从而抑制β-淀粉样蛋白(β-amyloid protein,Aβ)沉积,在阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s disease,AD)中发挥着重要的神经保护作用,改善AD的记忆和认知能力,是AD的一个有潜力的靶点。旨在恢复脑胆固醇稳态的药物开发可能是抵消AD的潜在策略。该文通过分析PPAR-γ的分布、结构,聚焦PPAR-γ介导的脑胆固醇代谢与AD的生物学相关性,阐述了PPAR-γ对关键蛋白、基因及其相应分子的机制调控,为AD的治疗提供了新的参考。

Orem自护理论在中药保留灌肠治疗大肠湿热证溃疡性结肠炎患者中的应用

目的探讨Orem自护理论运在中药保留灌肠治疗大肠湿热证溃疡性结肠炎患者中的应用效果。方法选取2020年2月—2023年2月医院肛肠科住院接受治疗的84例大肠湿热证溃疡性结肠炎患者为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将其分为研究组和对照组,各42例。两组患者均采用保留灌肠治疗,在此基础上,对照组采用常规护理干预,研究组在常规护理基础上增加Orem自护理论干预。对比两组患者临床症状、炎性反应指标和生存质量。结果干预后两组患者溃疡性结肠炎疾病活动指数(UCDAI)中的便血、腹泻、内镜表现、医师评定的评分相较于干预前均有降低,且研究组低于对照组(P<0.01)。干预后两组患者的TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8的水平相较于干预前均有降低,且研究组低于对照组(P<0.01)。干预后两组患者炎症性肠病患者生活质量量表(IBDQ)评分中的肠道症状、全身症状、情感功能及社会功能的评分相较于干预前降低,且研究组低于对照组(P<0.01)。结论在中药保留灌肠治疗大肠湿热证溃疡性结肠炎患者护理中,基于Orem自护理论指导护理能够有效改善患者临床症状和炎性反应,提高患者的生活质量。

基于“有故无殒”理论的健康与慢性心力衰竭状态下附子对小鼠心脏不同作用的实验研究

目的基于中医经典“有故无殒”理论,探讨附子水煎液对健康小鼠及慢性心力衰竭小鼠心脏的不同作用。方法将SPF级别8周龄C57BL/6J品系雄性小鼠随机分为对照组(Ctrl)、附子组(FZH)、多柔比星组(Dox)、多柔比星加附子组(Dox+FZH)。分别给予Dox小鼠和Dox+FZH小鼠每3天腹腔注射5 mg/kg多柔比星,Ctrl与FZH给予等体积氯化钠溶液(9 g/L)腹腔注射,实验开始第1天给予Dox、Dox+FZH小鼠5 mg/kg多柔比星腹腔注射后,分别给FZH与Dox+FZH小鼠每日2 g/kg附子灌胃,Ctrl与Dox小鼠分别使用等体积氯化钠溶液(9 g/L)灌胃,造模周期共4周。观察小鼠的一般情况,对小鼠生存率、心质量、体质量、心质量比、心胫比及心超指标等进行统计,分析小鼠心脏组织及血清中脑利尿钠肽(BNP)和心肌肌钙蛋白Ⅰ(cTnⅠ)的含量,并检测心脏组织中凋亡相关蛋白的表达情况,观察小鼠心脏组织切片单个心肌细胞横截面积大小,评估附子对健康和慢性心力衰竭状态下小鼠心肌损伤的影响。结果(1)健康状态下,Ctrl和FZH小鼠被毛毛色光亮,形体匀称,四肢活动正常且Ctrl和FZH小鼠均未见死亡;与Ctrl比较,FZH小鼠的心质量、心质量比、心胫比、左室射血分数、左室短轴缩短率、心率、收缩期左室后壁厚度均降低(P<0.05),左室舒张末期内径升高(P<0.05);与Ctrl比较,FZH小鼠活化后的半胱氨酸蛋白3(Cleaved-Caspase3)表达升高(P<0.05),B-细胞淋巴瘤因子2蛋白/Bcl2关联X蛋白(Bcl2/Bax)比值降低(P<0.05);血清中BNP和cTnⅠ的含量差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);小鼠心脏组织切片单个心肌细胞横截面积相应缩小(P<0.05)。与Ctrl比较,FZH小鼠心房利尿钠肽(ANP)基因表达升高(P<0.05)。(2)慢性心力衰竭状态下,Dox小鼠毛色晦暗,形体消瘦,活动迟缓,进食量减少,而Dox+FZH小鼠活动能力和进食情况均较Dox有所改善;Dox共计死亡6只,Dox+FZH小鼠死亡3只,附子可以改善病理状态小鼠生存率但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);与Dox比较,Dox+FZH小鼠心率降低(P<0.05),左室射血分数轻度上升但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);与Dox比较,Dox+FZH小鼠Bcl2/Bax比值明显升高(P<0.05),Cleaved-Caspase3蛋白表达降低但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);血清中BNP和cTnⅠ的含量减少(P<0.05);小鼠心脏组织切片单个心肌细胞横截面积增大(P<0.05)。与Dox比较,Dox+FZH小鼠ANP基因表达变化差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论附子对健康状态下的小鼠心脏产生毒性作用,对慢性心力衰竭状态下的小鼠具有一定治疗作用。

转宾为主--佛性论中国化的一个侧面

一般认为,佛教重视觉悟,其核心强调众生自力修行以达到解脱。但通过对印度和中国佛教佛性论的阐释,发现佛性论中国化的一个重要特征是体现出从救济论到众生论的转化。具体而言,印度大乘佛教的如来藏佛性经论普遍强调以佛陀为中心,借助佛的加持力而救济众生,众生处于宾位。而在中国佛教中,佛性论最具特色的宗派是华严宗、天台宗和禅宗。通过对三个宗派代表人物与文献的探讨,可知华严宗的“性起”佛性论模式推重佛陀在果位引导众生修行和解脱中的核心作用,继承了印度佛教救济论的特征。与之相对,天台宗的“性具”佛性论和禅宗的随缘任运的思想,更加注重众生作为修行主体的自主性。然而,在天台宗的圆融思想中,众生论仍有进一步的发展空间,这种潜能在禅宗“教外别传、不立文字、直指人心、见性成佛”的思想体系中得到充分的实现,众生的主人翁地位得到彰显。综而言之,众生的地位在印中佛性论的结构中呈现出转宾为主、宾主历然有别的基本差异。

基于“态靶辨治-正虚毒泛”探讨胃癌免疫调控

基于“态靶辨治”的新型诊疗模式,立足胃癌“正虚毒泛”的核心病机,中西合参,宏观调“态”,微观打“靶”,探讨胃癌发生过程中免疫紊乱的“偏态”现象,以及中药在免疫调控中的“精准用药”,以期为胃癌的防治提供新思路。