Integration of traditional,complementary,and alternative medicine with modern biomedicine:the scientization,evidence,and challenges for integration of traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional medicine has garnered significant global recognition,with an estimated 80%of the global population using it.Therefore,it is essential to fully understand the integration of traditional medicines into current healthcare systems.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the standard process to modernize traditional medicine scientifically in the context of modern biomedicine,further termed here as“scientization”.Specifically,we aim to summarize the advancements made in understanding the efficacy,effectiveness,and underlying mechanisms of herbal medicine.We also examined the transition from experience-to evidence-based medicine during acupuncture.Furthermore,we explore the development of universal safety and quality control standards.Finally,we discuss international trade and export markets for Chinese medical products.The development and integration of traditional medicine have allowed it to further improve human health,resulting in a more comprehensive health solution for the global population.

Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture Used for Rehabilitation of the Impaired Urinary System in Patients with Paraplegia—A Report of 52 Cases

Infection of the urinary system is frequently seen in the paraplegic patients with urinary complications,which is one of the main reasons for the late death in such cases. The effects of the therapeutic method adopted for the urinary rehabilitation are directly related to the life quality and survival time of the paraplegic patients. Since 1999-2002, the authors had applied Chinese herbal medicine combined with acupuncture for the urinary rehabilitation in 52 paraplegic patients, with quite good therapeuticresults as reported in the following.

Integrative techniques using acupuncture,Chinese herbal medicine,diet,and supplements for polycystic ovary syndrome:a case report

Patients with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） are on the rise. About 4%-12% of women are currently estimated to have this condition. It is hypothesized that PCOS appears in women who have long-standing insulin resistance （1R）, which leads to high androgen and testosterone levels; this ultimately disrupts their menstrual cycles. Some researchers attribute IR to genetic factors, although there have been only minute changes in the human genome in the past 20 000 years. However, even with a stable gene pool, genes can be turned on and offby the environment, food and air quality and toxin exposure.

Clinical Observation on Treatment of 50 Patients with Candidal Vaginitis by Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined with Canesten

From January 2001 to January 2002, 50 patients of candidal vaginitis were treated by Kushen powder (KSP,苦参散) combined with Canesten as the treatment group, and controlled by a control group including another 50 patients treated with Canesten alone. The therapeutic results were satisfactory and reported as follows.

Chinese Medicine in the United States:Historical Development and Growth

Chinese medicine is growing rapidly in the United States both as a field of research and in the daily treatment of illnesses.The popularity of Chinese medicine,particularly acupuncture,as a healing mechanism demonstrates American people’s positive experience with Chinese medicine and their embracing it as an alternative to the mainstream Western biomedicine.Chinese medicine is an important part of the Alternative and Complementary Medicine or Integrated Medicine in the United States health system.It is increasingly used and covered by health insurance.Although Chinese medicine has been in the United States since colonial times,it was discriminated against by local authorities.However,things began to change in the 1970s when individual states gradually passed laws to legalize the practice of acupuncture as a healing mechanism.American public interest in Chinese medicine,particularly acupuncture,was aroused by the media’s report of the“magic”power of acupuncture during President Nixon’s visit to China.Non-Asians studied acupuncture in the following decades,which contributed to the establishment of acupuncture as a profession in the American health system.The history of Chinese medicine in the United States illustrates that Chinese and Asian immigrants promoted Chinese medicine in the communities,while Chinese American medical scientists who were trained in biomedicine played an important role in shaping the biomedical method of acupuncture research.This article investigates the changes of Chinese medicine in the United States,with a focus on acupuncture.Situating the discussion in a larger context of social and cultural changes,this study examines the contributions of Chinese immigrants and the popularity of acupuncture in the United States.It analyzes the development of acupuncture practice and research,the professional training in Chinese medicine,and American people’s interest in using Chinese medicine as a reliable healing mechanism to many health problems,including chronic pain,cancer,and drug addictions.

Forty-seven Cases of Gonitis Treated by A Combined Therapy of Chinese Drugs and Acupuncture

Osteoarthritis, a nonspecific inflammatory lesion, is a commonly seen joint disease. Clinically, it is mainly characterized by arthralgia, swelling, and motor impairment. Since the knee joint is the load-bearing joint of the human body, and is susceptible to trauma, gonitis tends to have the highest morbidity in the four limbs, which manifests itself arthritis of patella and femur at the early stage; narrowness or disappearance of the medial joint space at the mid stage; and damage of the cartilage accompanied with flexion deformity at the late stage. In recent years, based on the experience of Prof. Cao Yiming, the author has treated 47 cases of gonitis by combined use of Chinese drugs and acupuncture, and obtained satisfactory therapeutic results as reported in the following.

TREATMENT OF 50 CASES OF SENILE DEMENTIA BY ACUPUNCTURE COMBINED WITH INHALATION OF HERBAL DRUGS AND OXYGEN

Clinical DataCase selection: 100 cases who met thediagnostic criteria of senile dementiaformulated by American Association ofPsychiatry in Handbook of Diagnosis andStatistics (DSM-Ⅲ-R, 3rd revised edition)

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON 40 CASES OF ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS TREATED WITH ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE DRUGS

Objective： To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus Chinese herbal medicines for ankylceing Methods： A total of 80 cases of AS patients were evenly and randomly divided into treatment group and control group. In treatment group, patients were treated with acupuncture of Jiaji （夹脊 EX-B 2） and oral administration of Yishen Tongdu Won （益肾通督丸,Bolus for Reinforcing the Kidney and Dredging Governor Vessesl） and those of control group treated with oral administration of Sulfasalazin （0.5 g, twice daily）. Before and after treatment, the thoracic-dilaion scale, Schober test, Bath ankylceing spondylitis disease activity index （BASDAI）, Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index （BASFI）, erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR） and C-reaction protein （CRP） were detected separately. Results： After 6 months of treatment, of the both 40cases in treatment and control groups, 27 （67.5%） and 13 （32.5%） were improved remarkably, 11 （27.5%） and 16 （40.0%） effective, and 2 （5.0%） and 11 （27.5%） failed, with the effective rates being 95.0% and 72.5% separately. The therapeutic effect of treatment group was significantly superior to that of control group （P〈 0.05）. After treatment, the thoracicdilaion scale and Schober test values increased significantly （ P〈 0.05）, while BASDAI, BASFI, ESR and CRP lowered considerably （P〈0.01, P〈0.05）. Comparison between two groups indicated that after treatment, the decreased values of BASDAI, BASFI, ESR and CRP of treatment group were significantly lower than those of control group （ P〈 0.01 ）, while those of the thoracio-dilaion scale and Schober test of treatment group were significantly higher than those of control group （ P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.01 ）. Results displayed that both acupuncture combined with Chinese drugs and Sulfasalazin could lower BASDAI, BASFI, ESR and CRP, raise the thoracic-dilaion scale and Schober test values considerably in AS patients, and the therapeutic effect of combined acupunclure and Chinese drugs was apparently superior to that of Westem medicine. Conclusion： Joint application of acupuncture and Chinese drugs is superior to Western medicine in the therapeutic effect for AS and has fewer side effects.

Comparison of Chinese medicine higher education programs in China and five Western countries

Object:Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been taught widely in the both Eastern and Western world countries.This study compared the origin,student source,duration,and curriculum design of TCM higher education programs in China and five Western countries.Method:We searched the Internet and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)database to gather relevant information.Result:All the six countries offer acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine programs at universities and/or private schools.However,there are great large differences among them in the education of curriculum and TCM students enrollment and curriculum policies of TCM courses.Conclusions:There are large differences among their curriculum and enrollment policies.This comparison should provide information about the further development of international standards in TCM education.

Cerebral mechanism of puncturing at He-Mu point combination for functional dyspepsia: study protocol for a randomized controlled parallel trial

Acupuncture is widely used to treat functional dyspepsia with satisfactory outcomes. Combination of the He and Mu acupoints is commonly used and has a synergistic effect on functional dyspepsia; however, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, a randomized controlled parallel clinical trial is currently underway at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China. This trial is designed to explore the efficacy of and central responses to the He-Mu point combination in patients with functional dyspepsia using functional magnetic resonance imaging. A total of 105 patients with functional dyspepsia will be allocated into 3 groups： the low-He point group（puncturing at Zusanli（ST36））, Mu point group（puncturing at Zhongwan（CV12））, and He-Mu point combination group（puncturing at ST36 and CV12）. Every participant will receive 20 sessions of manual acupuncture for 4 weeks. The needles will be inserted perpendicularly to a depth of 1 to 2 cun. The angle of rotation and twisting will range from 90 to 180 degrees, while lifting and thrusting will range from 0.3 to 0.5 cm. The various manipulations will be performed 60 to 90 times per minute. The needles will remain in place for 30 minutes, during which manipulation will be applied every 10 minutes. Magnetic resonance imaging will be performed before and after 20 sessions of acupuncture. The primary outcome is symptom improvement according to the Chinese version of the Nepean Dyspepsia Index. Secondary outcomes include the Leeds dyspepsia questionnaire, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and visual analogue scale scores before and after 10 and 20 sessions of acupuncture. Needle sensation and adverse events will be used to assess the therapeutic effects. This study will promote more widespread awareness of the benefits of acupoint combination in the clinical setting and provide a further explanation of the neuromechanism by which acupuncture at the He-Mu point combination for functional dyspepsia. Registration： Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, Chi CTR-IOR-15006402.

Traditional Chinese medicine for foot pain in a patient with complex regional pain syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND Complex regional pain syndrome(CRPS)is characterized by pain as well as sensory,motor,and sudomotor disorders.Generally,it is classified into two types CRPS-I and CRPS-II.There is no single diagnostic test or treatment approach for CRPS,and a multidisciplinary approach is gaining attention to improve patients’symptoms and their quality of life.CASE SUMMARY A 35-year-old woman with an unremarkable medical history sought treatment for CRPS at a hospital of Korean medicine.During her first visit,she was wheelchairbound due to severe pain in her left lower extremity.She had edema and discoloration of the left foot.She was treated with a combination of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)approaches,including acupuncture,moxibustion,pharmacopuncture,and herbal decoction,for approximately 20 sessions.The foot and ankle outcome score(FAOS)and visual analog scale(VAS)score for pain were evaluated,along with general signs and functions.Her symptoms,signs,FAOS,and VAS scores improved after treatment,with a significant 7-degree decrease in the VAS score and a 62-point increase in the FAOS score.Additionally,the foot swelling and discoloration gradually resolved.During the phone follow-up,5 mo after the last visit,additional improvements in outcomes were observed.CONCLUSION Combined TCM treatment may be a reasonable and safe option for alleviating symptoms and improving function in patients with CRPS.

Treatment of Phlegm-and Heat-induced Insomnia by Acupuncture in 120 Cases

Clinical DataThe 120 cases in this series were outpatients suffering from insomnia due to interior-stirring by phlegm-heat, ranging in age from 28 to 67 years. They were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group.

Treatment of anovulatory infertility with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects on anovulatory infertility with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Methods Fifty patients with anovulatory infertility were divided randomly into 2 groups with 25 in the observation group and 25 in the control group. Both herbal decoctions and acupuncture treatment were applied to the observation group. For Chinese herbal medicine, according to different phases of menstrual cycle, Cu Luanpao Tang （促卵泡汤 follicle promote decoction）, Cu Pailuan Tang （促卵泡汤 ovulation induce decoction） and Cu Huangti Tang （促黄体汤 corpora luteum promote decoction） was given to the patients; and acupoints such as Guanyuan （关元 CV 4）, Zhongji （ 中极 CV 3） and LuSnchao Xue（卵巢穴 Extra point） were selected. The control group was asked to take Clomiphene as well as Chorionic Gonadotropin （HCG） injection. Observation is undertaken continuously for 6 cycles, and statistics of ovulation rate and pregnancy rate were collected. Results There were no statistical significance of difference of ovulation rate between the two groups（P〉0.05） ; the pregnancy rate of the observation group is 44. 0%（11/25）, which is obviously higher than 16.0% （4/25） of the control group （P〈0.05）. Comparison was made on Insler score of the cervical mucus and thickness of the endometrium between the 2 groups, and the result showed that both of the indexes of the observation group were better than those of the control group （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. Conclusion Both of the methods, namely ovulation induction with acupuncture and herbal decoctions and with Clomiphene and HCG injection, are effective for enhancing the ovulation rate, while the former one is better than the later one in the pregnancy rate.

Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Combination Therapies for Insomnia

Insomnia, a common sleep disorder, affects general well-being, hastens the onset of other diseases, and impairs work performance. Hypnotic medications are efficacious in the short term but have obvious side effects. Acupuncture, often used to treat insomnia in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is considered to be beneficial in restoring the normal sleep-wake cycle by regulating and restoring the natural flow of qi (energy power). The three main TCM theories for treating insomnia by acupuncture are the tranquilization disturbance, zangfu disturbance (disequilibrium of internal organs), and imbalance of yin and yang theories. Moxibustion, another treatment for insomnia, is usually combined with acupuncture. Acupuncture and moxibustion with tuina (exercise massage), acupuncture with Chinese herbal injection, electroacupuncture, and acupuncture with medication or psychotherapy are other interventions. Some acupuncture-based methods such as needle-rolling acupuncture, auricular acupoint plaster therapy, phlebotomy, and acupoint catgut-embedding therapy are used as well. Although most clinical trials have shown that acupuncture and its combination therapies are significantly effective in insomnia, the beneficial effects may have been overvalued, because of small sample size, nonstrict inclusion and exclusion criteria, flawed methodology, short follow-up, or nonstandardized evaluation. Therefore, clinical studies of high methodological quality are needed to verify the efficacy of acupuncture, moxibustion, and other combination therapies in insomnia.

An Approach to the Integration of Acupuncture and Drug

Integration of acupuncture and drug is a therapeutic method in which acupuncture treatment and pharmacotherapy are synchronously performed in the same patient to prevent and treat the disease. Its importance can be traced back to Sun Simiao (581-682 A.D.), a prominent physician of China's Tang Dynasty. He pointed out that: A physician who masters only acupuncture treatment in clinical practice but not moxibustion, or masters only moxibustion treatment but not acupuncture is not a skillful doctor; and a physician who is only aware of the application of acupuncture and moxibustion but ignorant of pharmacotherapy, or is only aware of pharmacotherapy but ignorant of the application of acupuncture and moxibustion also should not be a skillful one. Not only should a skillful doctor have the knack of applying acupuncture and moxibustion, but he should have the knack at pharmacotherapy in treating diseases. Each of acupuncture and moxibustion, and drug has its strong points. Therefore, both of them should be used simultaneously, thus bringing the strong points of both individuals into full play and offsetting their weaknesses so as to obtain a satisfactory therapeutic effect. With the development of modern medicine and introduction of advanced technology, there have been brilliant developments in the method and applied range of integration of acupuncture and drug, particularly in the studies on combined anesthesia induced by using acupuncture and drug, and administering drug by acupoint. All these have provided us a ground to further probe into the mechanism underlying the integration of acupuncture and drug.

Clinical Observation on Treatment of Acquired Paralytic Strabismus by Acupuncture Plus Oral Administration of Chinese Herbs

From June 1996 to June 2002, the author treated 38 cases of acquired paralytic strabismus by acupuncture plus oral administration of Zheng Rong Tang (正容汤), with another 38 cases of acquired paralytic strabismus treated only with oral administration of Chinese herbs as the controls. The results are reported as follows.

Twenty-eight Cases of Neuritis of Lateral Cutaneous Nerve of Thigh Treated by Acupuncture and Point-Injection

Neuritis of lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh, also called meralgia paresthetica, is a commonly encountered disease in clinical practice. The author has treated 28 cases of meralgia paresthetica since 1996 by acupuncture plus point-injection with satisfactory results. A report follows.Clinical Data Among the 28 cases, 13 were male and 15 female. Their age ranged from 24 to 72 years, most of the patients being 35 to 50 years; the duration of illness varied from one month to ten years and 6 cases were affected on left side, 8 cases on right side and 14 cases on both sides.

In silico method for studying property combination of traditional Chinese herbs

Objective:This paper discusses the composition of prescription qualitative,quantitative design principles and methods based on herbal property combination,describing the method application in new prescription design.Method:Qualitative property-combination pattern(PP)calculation was based on bipartite graphing and performing a greedy algorithm which was designed to optimize obtaining a new herbal prescription.Quantitative PP calculation was based on the qualitative computation.To calculate the Euclidean distance for the PP of the new prescription,an optimized algorithm for solving the unknown minimum Euclidean distance was used with,the new weighted proportions.Finally,non-linear optimization software was used to find the minimum Euclidean distance.Results:Using the PP of classic prescription Large Yin-Nourishing Pill,applying quantitative PP calculation a new prescription was created.Mathematical algorithms based on property combinations of traditional Chinese herbs can be applied to identify compatibility and synergies of herbs within prescriptions,especially classic formulas.Conclusion:In silico methods can then be used to create new prescriptions or modify existing ones depending on need.This type of automated approach may increase efficiency in designing new drugs based on Chinese herbs.

Treatment of Obesity with Western Medicine and Traditional Medicine:Based on PubMed and Science Direct Databases

The objective of this review was to collect the current published research on obesity and gain insight into the association of treatment based on a global aspect.The first section of the review will cover the treatment of obesity based on a Western medicine lens.The second section of the review will cover the treatment through a traditional approach based from different regions of the world(not including China).The third section of the review will cover treatment through a traditional Chinese medicine approach.The most commonly used electronic databases were used to search for articles related to obesity.The articles gathered consist of a broad spectrum from various parts of the world.Terms used in the search bar consisted of“obesity”,“BMI”,“acupuncture”,“traditional Chinese medicine”,etc.The majority of findings were collected from treatment based on both a western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine approach.The published literature collected is predominantly sourced from the online journal databases PubMed and Science Direct.Obesity is an ever-growing issue throughout society today.Different methods have shown effective results in treating this disease.It is crucial to continue exploring different treatment methods in hopes to solve this major public health issue.

Effects of acupuncture combined with Kaijingtongmai Decoction on ATP sensitive potassium channel related proteins Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 in myocardial infarction rats

Objective:To study the effect of combination of acupuncture and medicine on the expression of ATP sensitive potassium channel related proteins Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 in rats with myocardial infarction,and to study the possible mechanism of combination of acupuncture and medicine on the improvement of myocardial infarction,so as to provide experimental data basis for the development of new treatment methods for myocardial infarction.Methods:65 healthy male SD rats were randomly selected as the control group.The other rats were fed with high-fat food for three weeks.The rats in the control group were injected with normal saline subcutaneously,and the other rats were injected with isoproterenol hydrochloride in the same way.Through ECG comparison,40 successful Mi rats were randomly divided into model group,acupuncture group,western medicine group and acupuncture drug combination group,with 10 rats in each group.After the corresponding treatment,the ECG changes of rats in each group were observed,the pathological changes of rat cardiomyocytes were observed by HE staining,and the expression of ATP sensitive potassium channel(Kir6.1,Kir6.2)protein was detected by Western blot.Results:compared with the control group,40 experimental specimens in the experimental group showed significant changes in cardiomyocyte protein The expression of Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 increased,and the difference was statistically significant.After treatment,compared with the model group,the protein expression of Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 in cardiomyocytes of Western medicine group,acupuncture group and acupuncture drug combination group showed a downward trend,among which the decline degree of acupuncture drug combination group was the most obvious,and the difference was statistically significant.The decline degree of acupuncture group and Western medicine group was not significant,and there was no significant difference Conclusion:acupuncture combined with medicine has a significant effect on improving myocardial infarction in rats,which may be related to the expression of ATP sensitive potassium channel related proteins Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 in rat cardiomyocytes.