The Psychosomatic Traits of“People with the Five Elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine”:A Qualitative Study

Objective To identify the representative attributes of the five elements of a person with a qualitative methodology and provide the basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of“people with the five elements in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).”Methods Data collected from the literature review,two sessions of brainstorming of experts with related experience in“people with the five elements in TCM”from October 2020 to December 2020,and six rounds of in-depth interviews with 30 participants who had various attributes of the five elements from March 2021 to October 2021 were analyzed.Triangulation was used in this study,and theming and synthesizing were used to analyze the data.Results A total of 31 experts and 30 interviewees participated in this study.The median age of the experts and interviewees were 48.0 and 38.5 years,respectively;51.66%and 54.8%of experts and interviewees,respectively,were men.The descriptors of facial diagrams of“people with the five elements in TCM”were complexion,shape,distribution state of facial bones,convergence trend of facial muscles,and facial expression.A theoretical model of“people with the five elements in TCM”was shaped based on these findings.Conclusion The study suggests a possibility for bridging the gap between personality and bodily state,identifying an avenue for personality research from the perspective of TCM.

Chlorogenic acid ameliorates heart failure by attenuating cardiomyocyte ferroptosis Author links open overlay panel

Objective To elucidate the effects of chlorogenic acid(CGA),a bioactive polyphenol compound prevalent in traditional Chinese medicine and various foods,including Lonicera japonica Thunb.(Jin Yin Hua),Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.(Du Zhong Ye),tea,and coffee,on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis and heart failure.Methods We assessed the effect of CGA on cardiac function using a mouse model of heart failure induced by transverse aortic constriction(TAC).These indicators included the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),fractional shortening(LVFS),end-systolic volume(LVESV),end-diastolic volume(LVEDV),end-systolic diameter(LVESD),and end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD).An isoprenaline hydrochloride(ISO)-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte cell model was also established,and the cells were treated with various concentrations of CGA.To assess the effect of CGA on ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes,we measured cell viability and evaluated the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS),ferrous ions(Fe^(2+)),and lipid peroxidation using fluorescent staining.To clarify the ferroptosis signaling pathway regulated by CGA,western blotting was used to examine the expression of ferroptosis biomarkers,specifically solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),in H9c2 cardiomyocytes and mouse myocardial tissues.Results CGA significantly enhanced cardiac performance indices such as LVEF,LVFS,LVESV,LVEDV,LVESD,and LVEDD.H9c2 cardiomyocytes exposed to ISO showed decreased cell viability and increased ROS levels,Fe^(2+)content,and lipid peroxidation levels.However,CGA treatment significantly ameliorated these changes.Additionally,in both H9c2 cardiomyocytes and myocardial tissue obtained from mice with TAC,CGA increased the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins,including SLC7A11 and GPX4.Conclusion CGA has the potential to enhance cardiac function and diminish lipid peroxidation and ROS levels in cardiomyocytes via the SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway.This process alleviates ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes.These results provide new insights into the clinical use of CGA and the management of heart failure.

Simultaneous quantification of five major active components in capsules of the traditional Chinese medicine 'Shu-Jin-Zhi-Tong' by high performance liquid chromatography

A simple and reliable high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） method has been developed for the simultaneous quantification of five major bioactive components in ＇Shu-Jin- Zhi-Tong＇ capsules （SJZTC）, for the purposes of quality control of this commonly prescribed traditional Chinese medicine. Under the optimum conditions, excellent separation was achieved, and the assay was fully validated in terms of linearity, precision, repeatability, stability and accuracy. The validated method was applied successfully to the determination of the five compounds in SJZTC samples from different production batches. The HPLC method can be used as a valid analytical method to evaluate the intrinsic quality of SJZTC.

Protective effect of Radix Astragali injection on immune organs of rats with obstructive jaundice and its mechanism

AIM: To observe the protective effect of Radix Astragali injection on immune organs (lymph nodes, spleen and thymus) of rats with obstructive jaundice (OJ) and its mechanism. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, model control group and Radix Astragali treatment group. On days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after operation, mortality rate of rats, pathological changes in immune organs, expression levels of Bax and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 proteins, apoptosis indexes and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level in spleen and thymus were observed, respectively.RESULTS: Compared to model control group, the number of dead OJ rats in Radix Astragali treatment group decreased (P > 0.05). The TNF-α level (27.62 ± 12.61 vs 29.55 ± 18.02, 24.61 ± 9.09 vs 31.52 ± 10.95) on days 7 and 21, the pathological severity score for spleen [0.0 (0.0) vs 0.0 (2.0) on days 7 and 14 and for lymph nodes [0.0 (1.0) vs 1.0 (2.0), 1.0 (0.0) vs 2.0 (1.0)] on days 21 and 28, the product staining intensity and positive rate of Bax protein in spleen [0.0 (0.0) vs 1.0 (2.0), 0.0 (1.0) vs 2.0 (1.5) and thymus [0.0 (0.0) vs 1.0 (2.0), 0.0 (1.0) vs 2.0 (1.5)] on days 14 and 28, the apoptotic indexes [0.0 (0.0) vs 0.0 (0.01)] in spleen and thymus [0.0 (0.0) vs 0.0 (0.01) on days 14 and 21 were significantly lower in Radix Astragali treatment group than in model control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Radix Astragali has protective effects on immune organs of OJ rats by relieving the pathological changes in immune organs, reducing TNF-α level and inhibiting Bax expression and apoptosis in spleen and thymus.

Understanding health literacy from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective

Health literacy is critical to improving individual and public health.However,indigenous perceptions of health are largely absent from Western-derived measurements,contributing to disparities in health outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous populations.China is the country with the world's largest population and only officially introduced the term"health literacy"in 2008.Current measures of health literacy in China are primarily based on Western-derived constructs,which have been shown to have poor comparability to the unique dual medical system in China.Given its significant importance to health management globally,understanding health perceptions from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective is essential.This review explores the concept and core elements of indigenous health literacy,evaluates the existing definitions and measurement tools as applied to the concept,and proposes a new model of traditional Chinese medicine health literacy.

Traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment based on systematics

Background:Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)is a well-established medical system with a long history.However,the overall concept and systematic thinking in TCM are not comprehensively understood and applied in its inheritance and development.Objective This study aims to provide a basic theory for TCM diagnosis using systematics as the guiding principle.Using modern scientific and technological achievements,we aim to explore a new TCM diagnosis method.Methods:We analyzed previous studies on TCM diagnosis and treatment,and reviewed clinical research on TCM diagnosis and treatment from the viewpoint of systematics.We propose a new process model based on systematics for TCM diagnosis and treatment.This is a generalized model that summarizes the process of“establishing an image to express meaning”.Results:The proposed model was implemented in the clinical practice of TCM.We monitored the detailed treatment process of patients in the Department of Liver Diseases at Beijing Hospital.One patient underwent a treatment program that lasted 1 year and 45 days,consisting of 12 iterative cycles,each guided by the proposed diagnostic model and tailored to the patient's evolving condition.This case study validates the effectiveness of the proposed model in the diagnosis and treatment of liver disease in TCM.The therapeutic efficacy has been validated through the examination of both TCM indicators and Western medical auxiliary parameters.Among these,the TCM indicators consist of 2 components:tongue diagnosis and pulse diagnosis.Meanwhile,the Western medical auxiliary indicators encompass a range of assessments,including whole blood cell analysis,professional liver function examination,a series of liver function assessments,a high-sensitivity hepatitis B pentathlete test,as well as color Doppler ultrasound evaluations of the liver,bile duct,pancreas,spleen,and assessments of liver elasticity,among other related examination parameters.In conclusion,it is evident that the syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency has significantly diminished,and the viral load has decreased to levels below the detectable threshold,thereby confirming the restoration of normal liver function.These findings indicate that the disease is now under control.Conclusions:In this study,we applied the guiding principle of systematics to the study of TCM diagnosis and treatment,and combined it with modern medical technology.We proposed a TCM diagnosis and treatment process model,and a TCM model to establish an image,which can effectively support the diagnosis and treatment of TCM diseases.We illustrated the effectiveness of these models by applying them to TCM liver disease.

Analysis on patents of health care products with substances of medicine food homology in China

Objective:The concept of substances of medicine food homology(SMFH)has garnered significant attention in recent years.This study conducts a systematic analysis of patent literature related to SMFH,and elucidates the development trends,technical hotspots,and the overall patent protection landscape of SMFH in China over the past two decades.Methods:The patent search focused on the SMFH varieties as the objects of inquiry,with retrieval conducted in patent databases.Subsequently,the acquired data underwent processing,analysis,and visualization.Results:While the technical threshold for pharmaceutical applications surpasses that of the food service sector,the former may assume a prominent role in the future.Research and development(R&D)activities in the southeast of China demonstrate robust activity than other regions.Colleges and scientific research institutions exhibit substantial advantages in patent applications compared with individuals and hold greater potential for future development.Conclusion:The findings of this patent analysis indicate that China’s SMFH industry are presently undergoing a transition from an extensive model to a high-quality model.The quality and technical standards of SMFH products are consistently improving.Consequently,there is a need for more stringent patent application requirements to align with the evolving development needs.

Urgent Need to Improve the Quality of Case Report in Traditional Chinese Medicine:Assessment on Reporting Quality of 3,417 Cases

Objective： To survey the reporting quality of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） case reports published in recent years and understand the common problems. The assessment results would lay the foundation for the development of recommendations for case report in Chinese medicine. Methods： This survey determined the reporting quality of cases with Chinese herbal decoction, Chinese proprietary medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion and other traditional therapies published in 20 core medical journals of China by searching the China Academic Journals Full-text Database from 2006 to 2010. Fifty survey items in 16 domains were used to determine the reporting quality. One point was assigned to each item （Yes=l point; No=0 point）, and total score was 50 points. The domain of treatment was assessed independently, ranging from 2 to 9 items for different TCM interventions. Results： The total of 1,658 case reports, covering 3,417 cases were included to analyze from 13 out of 20 core medical journals of China. There were 74.8% of them did not identify the nature of study in title, while 73.9% did not comprise an abstract. Incomplete reporting was found in discussions/ comment, and only 38.9% had made recommendations or take-away messages. Figures and tables were infrequently used. Three cases cited the full names of patients, but without declaring that any consent was obtained. Over 90% reported the symptoms and signs of TCM, and characteristics on tongue and pulse, but less than 50% did mention other medical history and diagnostic rationale. More than 90% treatments of the included cases were herbal decoction, with clear reporting on the ingredients and dosages. However, the reporting rate of the dosages of each ingredient was just 48.4%. Almost none reported the quality control of crude herbs, manufacturers and lot numbers of herbal proprietary medicine. Besides, advices and precautions on diet, emotions and living were rare to be illustrated. Conclusion： Systematic reporting recommendations are urged to develop for improving the contents and format of case reports in TCM.

Revision and Improvement of Criterion on Traditional Chinese Medicines in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 201 5

Chinese Pharmacopoeia is updated every five years, of which traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is the most important part. The 2015 version completed by the 10th Pharmacopoeia Commission has come into operation since December 1, 2015. Here we introduced the revision and improvement of quality evaluation and control standards of TCMs in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015.

Human Gut Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer

Human gut microbiota play an essential role in both healthy and diseased states of humans. In the past decade, the interactions between microorganisms and tumors have attracted much attention in the efforts to understand various features of the complex microbial communities, as well as the possible mechanisms through which the microbiota are involved in cancer prevention, carcinogenesis, and anti-cancer therapy. A large number of studies have indicated that microbial dysbiosis contributes to cancer susceptibility via multiple pathways. Further studies have suggested that the microbiota and their associated metabolites are not only closely related to carcinogenesis by inducing inflammation and immune dysregulation, which lead to genetic instability, but also inter- fere with the pharmacodynamics of anticancer agents. In this article, we mainly reviewed the influ- ence of gut microbiota on cancers in the gastrointestinal （GI） tract （including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers） and the regulation of microbiota by diet, prebiotics, pro- biotics, synbiotics, antibiotics, or the Traditional Chinese Medicine. We also proposed some new strategies in the prevention and treatment of GI cancers that could be explored in the future. We hope that this review could provide a comprehensive overview of the studies on the interactions between the gut microbiota and GI cancers, which are likely to yield translational opportunities to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality by improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

A combination extract of Renshen(Panax Ginseng),Yinyanghuo(Herba Epimedii Brevicornus),Yuanzhi(Radix Palygalae) and Jianghuang(Rhizoma Curcumae Longae) decreases glycogen synthase kinase 3β expression in brain cortex of APPV717I transgenic mice

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of combination extract of Renshen （Ponax Ginseng）, Yinyanghuo （Herba Epimedii Brevi-comus）, Yuanzhi （Radix Palygalae） and Jianghuang （Rhizoma Curcumae Longae） （GEPT） in treating AI- zheimer＇s disease on the target of glycogen syn- thase kinase 3β（GSK-3β）. METHODS： Three-month-old APPV7171 transgenic mice were randomly divided into ten groups （n=12 per group） and intragastrically administrated vehi- cle or medicines： APP group was given 0.5% CMC, donepezil group was given donepezil （APP ＋ D group） （0.92 mg/kg-1. day-1）, and GEPT groups were given small dose of GEPT （APP＋Gs group） （0.075 g/ kg-1. day-1）, medium dose （APP＋Gm group） （0.15 g/ kg-1. day-1）, and large dose （APP＋GI group） （0.30 g/ kg-1. day-1） for 4 or 8 months, respectively. Three-month-old C57BL/6J mice as vehicle controls （n=12） were given 0.5% CMC for 4 or 8 months as well. The GSK-3β expression in the cortex of 7- and 11-month-old APPV7171 transgenic mice with and without GEPT or donepezil treatment and normal C57BL/6J mice were measured via Western blotting and Immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： Immunohistochemistry analysis showed significant increase of GSK-3β in the cerebral cortex of 7-month-old APP group （compare to control group P=0.003）, while the GSK-313 expression of donepezil or OEPT group were all significantly de-creased （Donepezil vs APP： P=0.041; GI vs APP： P=0.049, Gm vs APP： P=0.029, Gh vs APP： P=0.036）. Western blot analysis showed similar results. The densitometric measures of GSK-3β in APP mice in- creased significantly as compared with the control group （P=0.008）. And the GSK-3β expression indonepezil and GEPT groups were all decreased. There was significant difference between Gh group or donepezil group and the control group （P=0.05）. Similar findings were shown in the 11-month-old mice in each group, except for greater decrease of GSK-3β in the GEPT group. CONCLUSION： GEPT can effectively decrease the level of GSK-3β expression in the brain cortex of AP- PV7171 transgenic mice, and such effect is more sig- nificant in 11-month-old mice. This partially ex- plains the neuroprotecting mechanism of GEPT in preventing and treating of AD.

Native Medicinal Plant Richness Distribution Patterns and Environmental Determinants of Xinjiang, Northwest China

Objective To comprehensively map the distribution patterns of native medicinal plants of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China; To find the environmental determinants and to give suggestions for the conservation planning of medicinal plants in Xinjiang region. Methods Firstly, we compiled the distribution data of native medicinal plants at a county level in Xinjiang region, including the source plants of Chinese Materia Medica （CMM）, Uygur Medicine （UM）, and Kazak Medicine （KM）; Secondly, we divided the distribution data into grid with a resolution of 0.1~ x 0.1~ and overlaid it on the topography and climate data in Arcgis 10.0; Finally, we analyzed the correlations of medicinal plant richness and environmental variables with ordinary least square （OLS） regressions and partial regressions. Results UM has more non-native species in Xinjiang region than KM. The species richness of medicinal plants is high in Altay Mountains, western Tianshan Mountains, and part of Kunlun Mountains. The richness of medicinal plants is highly correlated with the vascular plant species richness and climate, and further, the independent effects of vascular plant species richness are higher than the independent effects of climate. The whole plant, root ＆ rhizome, and seed ＆ fruit are more frequently used than stem and leaf for CMM in Xinjiang region. Conclusion The distribution patterns of medicinal plants are concordant with vascular plant species, which could be carefully considered in the conservation planning of this region. Taking full advantage of current nature reserves is a low-costing approach to the conservation of medicinal plants although they were not originally established for medicinal plant protection. Nevertheless, it is urgent to further study the distributions and protection status of medicinal plants in the nature reserves of Xinjiang region.