Comprehensive effects of traditional Chinese medicine treatment on heart failure and changes in B-type natriuretic peptide levels: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Heart failure(HF),a common cardiovascular condition,is characterized by significant morbidity and mortality.While traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is often used as a complementary approach in HF management,systematic evalua-tions of its impact on clinical outcomes,TCM syndrome scores,and B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP)levels are lacking.This study fills this gap through a comprehensive analysis of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)focusing on TCM for HF treatment.It encompasses an assessment of methodological quality,a meta-analysis,and an evaluation of evidence quality based on established standards.The results offer crucial insights into the potential advantages and constraints of TCM in HF management.RCTs on TCM for HF treatment published since the establishment of the database were searched in four Chinese and English databases,including China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang,VIP Information Chinese Science and Technology Journal,and PubMed.Methodological quality was assessed for the included studies with the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool,and the meta-analysis and publication bias assessment was performed with the RevMan5.3 software.Finally,the quality of evidence was rated according to the GRADE criteria.RESULTS A total of 1098 RCTs were initially retrieved.After screening,16 RCTs were finally included in our study,which were published between 2020 and 2023.These RCTs involved 1660 HF patients,including 832 in the TCM group[TCM combined with conventional Western medicine(CMW)treatment]and 828 in the CWM group(CWM treatment).The course of treatments varied from 1 wk to 3 months.TCM syndrome differentiation was analyzed in 11 of the included RCTs.In all included RCTs,outcome indicators included comprehensive clinical outcomes,TCM syndrome scores,and BNP levels.The meta-analysis results showed significant differences between the TCM and CWM groups in terms of comprehensive clinical outcomes[risk ratio=-0.54;95%confidence interval(CI)=-0.61,-0.47;P<0.00001],TCM syndrome scores[weighted mean difference(WMD)=-142.07;95%CI=-147.56,-136.57;P<0.00001],and BNP levels(WMD=-142.07;95%CI=-147.56,-136.57;P<0.00001).According to the GRADE criteria,RCTs where"TCM improves clinical comprehensive outcomes"were rated as low-quality evidence,and RCTs where"TCM reduces TCM syndrome scores"or"TCM decreases BNP levels"were rated as medium-quality evidence.CONCLUSION TCM combined with CWM treatment effectively improves comprehensive clinical outcomes and diminishes TCM syndrome scores and BNP levels in HF patients.Given the low and medium quality of the included RCTs,the application of these results should be cautious.

Traditional Chinese medicine Master XIONG Jibo’s medication experience in treating arthralgia syndrome through data mining

Objective This study aimed to examine and propagate the medication experience and group formula of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)Master XIONG Jibo in diagnosing and treat-ing arthralgia syndrome(AS)through data mining.Methods Data of outpatient cases of Professor XIONG Jibo were collected from January 1,2014 to December 31,2018,along with cases recorded in A Real Famous Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor:XIONG Jibo's Clinical Medical Record 1,which was published in December 2019.The five variables collected from the patients’data were TCM diagnostic information,TCM and western medicine diagnoses,syndrome,treatment,and prescription.A database was established for the collected data with Excel.Using the Python environment,a custom-ized modified natural language processing(NLP)model for the diagnosis and treatment of AS by Professor XIONG Jibo was established to preprocess the data and to analyze the word cloud.Frequency analysis,association rule analysis,cluster analysis,and visual analysis of AS cases were performed based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Computing Platform(V3.0)and RStudio(V4.0.3).Results A total of 610 medical records of Professor XIONG Jibo were collected from the case database.A total of 103 medical records were included after data screening criteria,which comprised 187 times(45 kinds)of prescriptions and 1506 times(125 kinds)of Chinese herbs.The main related meridians were the liver,spleen,and kidney meridians.The properties of Chinese herbs used most were mainly warm,flat,and cold,while the flavors of herbs were mainly bitter,pungent,and sweet.The main patterns of AS included the damp heat,phlegm stasis,and neck arthralgia.The most commonly used herbs for AS were Chuanniuxi(Cyathu-lae Radix),Huangbo(Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex),Cangzhu(Atractylodis Rhizoma),Qinjiao(Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix),Gancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma),Huangqi(Astragali Radix),and Chuanxiong(Chuanxiong Rhizoma).The most common effect of the herbs was“promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis”,followed by“supple-menting deficiency(Qi supplementing,blood supplementing,and Yang supplementing)”,and“dispelling wind and dampness”.The data were analyzed with the support≥15%and con-fidence=100%,and after de-duplication,five second-order association rules,39 third-order association rules,39 fourth-order association rules,and two fifth-order association rules were identified.The top-ranking association rules of each were“Cangzhu(Atractylodis Rhizoma)→Huangbo(Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex)”“Cangzhu(Atractylodis Rhizoma)+Chuanniuxi(Cyathulae Radix)→Huangbo(Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex)”“Chuanniuxi(Cyathulae Radix)+Danggui(Angelicae Sinensis Radix)+Gancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)→Qinjiao(Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix)”and“Chuanniuxi(Cyathulae Radix)+Danggui(Angelicae Sinensis Radix)+Gancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)+Huangbo(Phello-dendri Chinensis Cortex)→Qinjiao(Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix)”,respectively.Five clusters were obtained using cluster analysis of the top 30 herbs.The herbs were mainly dry-ing dampness,supplementing Qi,and promoting blood circulation.The main prescriptions of AS were Ermiao San(二妙散),Gegen Jianghuang San(葛根姜黄散),and Huangqi Chongteng Yin(黄芪虫藤饮).The herbs of core prescription included Cangzhu(Atractylodis Rhizoma),Chuanniuxi(Cyathulae Radix),Gancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma),Huangbo(Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex),Mugua(Chaenomelis Fructus),Qinjiao(Gentianae Macro-phyllae Radix),Danggui(Angelicae Sinensis Radix),and Yiyiren(Coicis Semen).Conclusion Clearing heat and dampness,relieving collaterals and pain,and invigorating Qi and blood are the most commonly used therapies for the treatment of AS by Professor XIONG Jibo.Additionally,customized NLP model could improve the efficiency of data mining in TCM.

Intra-set correlation analysis of medical records of thyroid cancer treated by traditional Chinese medicine Master ZHOU Zhongying

Objective Based on intra-set correlation analysis, this paper deconstructs the clinical medical records of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) Master ZHOU Zhongying in treating thyroid cancer, and analyzes the experience in “mechanism-syndrome-medicine-prescription” for thyroid cancer.Methods Through Medcase data processing platform, based on Frequent Pattern(FP)-Growth enhanced correlation analysis algorithm, the medical records of Professor ZHOU Zhongying for the treatment of thyroid cancer from June 1, 2001 to February 28, 2015 were analyzed within the set.Results This study involved 43 medical records, 43 patients, and 167 visits. After processing intra-set correlations, 28 groups of highly correlated symptoms, 21 groups of highly correlated tongue images, 10 groups of highly correlated pulse conditions, 28 groups of highly correlated pathogenesis, 34 groups of highly correlated herbs, and 26 groups of highly correlated western medicine diagnosis were selected. Professor ZHOU Zhongying treats thyroid cancer according to syndrome differentiation. Symptoms with more association rules included neck swelling, neck pain, cough, and dry mouth;tongue images with more association rules included dark purple tongue, dark red tongue, and fissured tongue;pulse conditions with more association rules were wiry pulse, thready pulse, small pulse, and slippery pulse;the pathogenesis with more association rules was phlegm and blood stasis, damp-heat accumulation,and impairment of both Qi and Yin;herbs with more association rules were Chaihu(Bupleuri Radix), Zeqi(Sun Euphoribiae Herb), and Tiandong(Asparagi Radix);western medicine diagnosis with more association rules included thyroid cancer, insomnia, and chronic gastritis.Conclusion Thyroid cancer mostly presents as deficiency in origin and excess in manifestations. The basic pathogenesis is phlegm and blood stasis, damp-heat accumulation, and impairment of both Qi and Yin, which are closely related to liver, kidney, and spleen. Professor ZHOU Zhongying adopts both attack and supplement approaches as the general treatment principle, with a strong emphasis on regulating Qi and relieving depression, eliminating phlegm and resolving stagnation, eliminating dampness and turbidity, clearing fire and destroying poison, moistening dryness and softening hard mass, invigorating Qi and nourishing Yin, and paying attention to nourishing liver and kidney, invigorating spleen and stomach,while protecting the heart and lungs.

Treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome in severe acute pancreatitis patients with traditional Chinese medicine

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese traditional medicines Da Cheng Qi Decoction (Timely-Purging and Yin-Preserving Decoction) and Glauber's salt combined with conservative measures on abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients. METHODS: Eighty consecutive SAP patients, admitted for routine non-operative conservative treatment, were randomly divided into study group and control group (40 patients in each group). Patients in the study group received Da Cheng Qi Decoction enema for 2 h and external use of Glauber's salt, once a day for 7 d. Patients in the control group received normal saline (NS) enema. Routine non-operative conservative treatments included non-per os nutrition (NPON), gastrointestinal decompression, life support, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), continuous peripancreatic vascular pharmaceutical infusion and drug therapy. Intra-cystic pressure (ICP) of the two groups was measured during treatment. The effectiveness and outcomes of treatment were observed and APACHE Ⅱ scores were applied in analysis. RESULTS: On days 4 and 5 of treatment, the ICP was lower in the study group than in the control group(P < 0.05). On days 3-5 of treatment, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) scores for the study and control groups were significantly different (P < 0.05). Both the effectiveness and outcome of the treatment with Da Cheng Qi Decoction on abdominalgia, burbulence relief time, ascites quantity, cyst formation rate and hospitalization time were quite different between the two groups (P < 0.05). The mortality rate for the two groups had no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Da Cheng Qi Decoction enema and external use of Glauber's salt combined with routine non-operative conservative treatment can decrease the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) of SAP patients and have preventive and therapeutic effects on abdominal compartment syndrome of SAP.

Structural and functional characteristics of microbiota in oropharynx of sub-healthy children with gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome differentiated by traditional Chinese medicine

Objective:To explore the structural and functional characteristics of microbiota in oropharynx of subhealthy children with gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome(GHRS)differentiated by traditional Chinese medicine,and screen the biometric operational taxonomic units(OTUs)to assist the clinical diagnosis.Methods:We recruited children according to the“GHRS diagnostic scale”,collected their oropharyngeal swabs,and sequenced the 16 SrDNA V4 region.We described the bacterial structure with alpha-indexes,beta-distances,and relative abundances;moreover,we screened the differential genera/OTUs with Wilcoxon rank-sum test,Metagenome Seq analysis,and linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEf Se)analysis,in which biometric OTUs were selected to construct the receiver operating characteristic curve to verify the diagnostic value.The bacterial function was predicted with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways according to 16S rDNA gene by using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States.Results:The study population was composed of 10 children with GHRS and 10 healthy control children.GHRS children were more likely to overeat(gluttony,P=.033).Alpha-indexes,such as Sobs,abundancebased coverage estimator,Bootstrap,and Qstat,were significantly higher in the GHRS group,while betadistances did not exhibit any significant intergroup differences.There were 9 differently distributed nonpredominant genera between the groups in Wilcoxon rank-sum test,as well as 13 non-predominant genera in Metagenome Seq analysis and 3 non-predominant OTUs in LEfSe analysis.OTU44 and OTU196 were used to construct the receiver operating characteristic curve,and the area under curve was 0.92.Predicted functions showed that pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and carbon metabolism were enriched in healthy control samples,while the pathway related to renin secretion was remarkably enriched in GHRS samples.Conclusion:Unique oropharyngeal microbial structure and function were identified in GHRS children.OTU44 and OTU196 were specific OTUs,which could be used as biomarkers of GHRS to assist clinical diagnosis.

The Li Lineage of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Professor Li Ding(李鼎)is the founder and tenured professor,doctoral supervisor at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,a Representative Inheritor for China Intangible Cultural Heritage-Acupuncture and Moxibustion.It is well known that Chinese medicine is rooted in Chinese culture and history.The inheritance of Chinese medicine cannot be separated from the inheritance of Chinese culture and history.Professor Li Ding’s path of Chinese medicine inheritance perfectly reflects the above-mentioned laws and is worthy of further exploration and research.The full text of this article is divided into three parts and will be published one after another.The first part“The Lineage of Gu Yi Tang”brings us Li’s family historical stories;the second part“The Lineage of Chinese Studies”introduces professor Li’s Chinese culture studies;and the third part“The Lineage of Dao Sheng Tang”discusses professor Li's inheritance of Chinese medicine.This article will bring our readers a rich and colorful Chinese scroll painting,which not only focuses on Chinese Medicine,acupuncture but also touches ancient Chinese history culture,Daoism,and even more.

Systematic evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine for treating Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND：To evaluate the quality of the literature addressing traditional Chinese medicine for treating Parkinson＇s disease.DATA SOURCE：A computer-based online search of Chinese publications from January 2001 to July 2008 was conducted in Chinese Biology Medical Disc Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Search key words were Parkinson＇s disease, integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine therapy, and Chinese herb therapy.DATA SELECTION：Articles describing randomized, controlled trials and quasi-randomized, controlled trials were included. Literature quality was assessed using the criteria-Systematic evaluation of clinical literature related to treatment of Parkinson＇s disease with traditional Chinese medicine. This included methodology, interventions in the treatment/control group, evaluation criterion of outcomes, and frequency.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：Evaluation criterion of outcomes （various score methods and evaluation scales）, methodological quality, and frequency distribution were all measured.RESULTS：A total of 33 articles with randomized, controlled trials were included. Of these, six described a random method, and the remaining did not describe random allocation methods or random sequence generation methods. None of the studies estimated sample size. Case descriptions of withdrawal and loss to follow-up were unclear. Both the Unified Parkinson＇s Disease Rating Scale and Webster scale were used in the eligible studies as evaluation criteria.CONCLUSION：There are no high-quality studies that address traditional Chinese medicine therapy and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine for treating Parkinson＇s disease in China. Eligible studies were not performed in accordance with Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement or Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture criteria, and the literature quality was low. The presently used criteria for evaluating therapeutic effects do not completely assess outcomes of traditional Chinese medicine for treating Parkinson＇s disease. The identification of precise outcomes should be verified using randomized, controlled studies with adequate controls and proper designs.

A New Page for Women's Reproductive Health in Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine

The integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine (ICWM) of obstetrics and gynecology (OBS/GYN) emerged eventually with more than 40 years’ hard struggle, and one of the most promising articles is the integration of the masterpieces of menstrual disorder and infertility in TCM and the virtual explosion of new knowledge and methods in

Reception of Translated Classics of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Spanish-speaking World:A Survey of Seven Spanish Versions of Huangdi Neijing(The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic)

Previous studies on translations of Huangdi Neijing(The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic)have focused on English versions;little attention has been given to non-English translations.The present study is the first investigation of the reception of the seven Spanish versions of Huangdi Neijing in terms of three parameters:collection records in libraries worldwide;book reviews and citation counts in international journals;and customer reviews on Amazon.The results revealed four features of Spanish translations and communication of Huangdi Neijing in terms of reception of academia,reception of general readers,the center of translation and communication,and the role of Chinese scholars.These factors demonstrate the marginal status of Spanish translations of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)classics.The implications are summarized in hopes of promoting the translation and communication of TCM classics in the Spanish-speaking world and to provide insights into the communication of TCM culture in the non-English-speaking world.

Research and Analysis on the Origin of the Term“Xinche”in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Its Translation

Translating the terminology of traditional Chinese medicine(Thereafter referred to as TCM)is the core of translating TCM culture.By analyzing the connotation and denotation of the word“Xinche”(心掣)in Huangdi Neijing(Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Medicine),the earliest existing TCM classic,and by comparing different English translations of the term“Xinche,”we hope to provide certain reference for the standardization of TCM terminology and to share some ideas for the translation of TCM classics.

How do Chinese medicines that tonify the kidney inhibit dopaminergic neuron apoptosis?

Wistar rats were intragastrical y perfused with Chinese medicines used for tonifying the kidney. These included 0.180 g/mL of Herba Epimedi （Epimedium）, Semen Cuscutae （Dodder Seed）, or Herba Cistanches （Desertliving Cistanche）, 0.04 mg/mL monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor selegiline, or distil ed water for 14 consecutive days to prepare drug-containing serum or blank serum. MES23.5 cells in the logarithmic phase were cultured in media supplemented with 15%drug-containing serum for 24 hours, fol owed by incubation in culture solution containing 100μmol/L H2O2 for 3 hours. 3-（4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide （MTT） and flow tometry results showed that al drug-containing serums improved the survival rate of H 2 O 2-injured MES23.5 cells, inhibited pro-apoptotic FasL and caspase-3 expression, promoted anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression. However, drug-containing serums had little influence on Fas expression in H 2 O 2-injured MES23.5 cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that serum containing Herba Cistanches or Herba Epimedi increased the expression of nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and glial cellline-derived neurotrophic factor in injured MES23.5 cells;serum containing Semen Cuscutae only increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor expres-sion; while expression of the above neurotrophic factors remained the same in cells treated with serum containing selegiline. These findings indicate that Chinese medicines used to tonify the kid-ney can protect nerve cells by regulating the expression of apoptosis-related factors and neuro-trophic factors in MES23.5 cells.

Regulating effect of Chinese herbal medicine on the peritoneal lymphatic stomata in enhancing ascites absorption of experimental hepatofibrotic mice

AIM: To observe the regulatory effect of Chinese herbal medicine on peritoneal lymphatic stomata and its significance in treating ascites in liver fibrosis model mice. METHODS: Two Chinese herbal composite prescriptions were used separately to treat the carbon tetrachloride-induced mouse model of liver fibrosis. The histo-pathologic changes of the liver sections (HE and VG stainings) were observed. The peritoneal lymphatic stomata was detected by scanning electron microscopy and computer image processing. The changes of urinary volume and sodium ion concentration were measured. RESULTS: In the model group, lots of fibrous tissue formed in liver and extended into the hepatic lobules to separate them incompletely. In the treated and prevention groups, the histo-pathologic changes of liver was rather milder, only showed much less fibrous tissue proliferation in the hepatic lobules. The peritoneal lymphatic stomata enlarged with increased density in the experimental groups (diameter: PA, 3.07 +/- 0.69 microm; PB, 2.82 +/- 0.37 microm; TA, 3.25 +/- 0.82 microm and TB, 2.82 +/- 0.56 microm; density: PA, 7.11 +/- 1.90 stomata.1000 microm(-2); PB, 8.76 +/- 1.45 stomata.1000 microm(-2); TA, 6.55 +/- 1.44 stomata.1000 microm(-2)and TB, 8.76+/-1.79 stomata.1000 microm(-2)), as compared with the model group (diameter: 2.00+/-0.52 microm density: 4.45+/-1.05 stomata.1000 microm(-2)). After treatment, the urinary volume and sodium ion excretion increased in the experimental groups (PA, 231.28+/-41.09 mmol.L(-1); PB, 171.69 +/- 27.48 mmol.L(-1) and TA, 231.44 +/- 34.12 mmol.L(-1)), which were significantly different with those in the model group (129.33 +/- 36.75 mmol.L(-1)). CONCLUSION: Chinese herbal medicine has marked effects in alleviating liver fibrosis, regulating peritoneal lymphatic stomata, improving the drainage of ascites from peritoneal cavity and causing increase of urinary volume and sodium ion excretion to reduce the water and sodium retention, and thus have favorable therapeutic effect in treating ascites.

The Potential Targets of Chinese Medicines in the Treatment of Parkinson＇s Disease： Old Wine in New Bottles

This article systematically reviews the present research situation of the pathogenesis of PD （Parkinson＇s disease） and our recent research over the past decade, to discuss the potential targets of many TCM （traditional Chinese medicines） in prevention and treatment of PD, such as against oxidative stress （Astragaloside, protocatechuic aldehyde, Liu-Wei-Di-Huang）, anti-apoptosis （Geniposide, Zhichan powder）, improve mitochondrial function （Paeoniflorin, Da-Bu-Yin-Wan）, inhibition of protein aggregation （Panax ginseng, Irisflorentin）, induce autophagy （piperine, Paeoniflorin）, and many other mechanisms and multiple effectiveness （Saponins, Acanthopanax）. With the research and development in PD pathogenesis and clarifying the targets of a variety of traditional Chinese medicine, especially its monomeric components, the development of traditional Chinese medicine in prevention and treatment of PD will have very broad application value and prospect.

Experimental study on a novel compound extracted from Traditional Chinese Medicine for treatment of alveolar echinococcosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a novel compound derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treatment of alveolar echinococcosis in the Kuming mouse. METHODS: The compound was extracted from TCM by serial procedures including amalgamation of TCM drugs, boiling in a beaker, cold condensation using a reflux instrument, evaporation by mild heating and finally, formation of a deep brown powder. An animal model of alveolar echinococcosis was established concurrently. A bit of alveococcus tissue derived from alveolar echinococcosis in the mouse was transplanted into the peritoneal cavity of the musculus of a Kuming mouse. The duration of infection after inoculation was classified as either 1 week or 10 weeks; the animals were again divided into treated groups and control groups. Estimation of the alveococcus inhibitory rate and electron microscopic observation served as the main methods for assessment of efficacy. The infected mice in the treated groups were intra-gastrically administered once per day with the TCM extractive powder at doses of 20 mg.kg(-1) for three months continuously. All the animals were sacrificed and examined half a month after the end of TCM treatment. RESULTS: Total wet weight of alveococcus collected from the 9 mice in the treated group after one week of infection was 37.8 g (x +/- s, 4.196 +/- 2.090 g), which was markedly lower than the amount collected from 10 mice of the control group (121.3 g, x +/- s, 12.1 +/- 4.3 g). Therefore, the inhibitory rate of the alveococcus was 65.7% (P

Ziwan-Taoren herb pair can exert an therapeutical effect in primary Sjogren’s syndrome through inhibiting the TLR/NF-κB pathway

Background:Ziwan and Taoren(ZT)is a classic medicine pair in the formula of Mai Dong Di Shao Decoction,has been used to treat primary Sjogren’s syndrome(pSS)for more than 20 years.But its action mechanism is still unknown.This study is aimed to reveal the potential mechanism of ZT treated pSS and discover its active compounds of ZT and therapeutic target for pSS.Methods:Firstly,the potential pathways of ZT for pSS treatment were predicted through network pharmacology and GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.Secondly,the inter-structural relationships between active compounds of ZT and target proteins were visualized using molecular docking techniques.Finally,efficacy and mechanism were conducted through in vivo experiments,such as water intake,spleen index,hematoxylin-eosin staining pathological changes,ELISA,Western Blot analysis,and immunofluorescence staining.Results:Nine active compounds were extracted from network pharmacology,including quercitrin,luteolin,kaempferol,β-sitosterol,isorhamnetin,galangin,hederagenin,diosmetin and gibberellin 7.Seven disease targets were identified:RELA,TP53,AKT1,interleukin(IL)6,MAPK1,ESR1,IL10;with RELA being the most core target.KEGG and GO enrichment analysis indicated that ZT may act through the TLR/NF-κB/RELA inflammatory mechanism process.preliminary results of molecular docking showed that ZT’s active compounds bind well to the RELA(p65)receptor.In vivo results demonstrated that a high dose of ZT significantly improved water intake and reduced lymphocytes infiltration in submandibular gland pathology in NOD mice.The expression content of AQP5 and vasoactive intestinal peptide in the submaxillary gland was significantly increased,while levels of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α,IL-6,and IL-1βalong with protein expressions including toll-like receptor4,p-p65 and p-IKKα/βin NF-κB pathway were reduced.Conclusions:The ZT treatment exhibits a promising efficacy in mitigating dryness symptoms of pSS,potentially attributed to its capacity for suppressing the TLR/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway.

Meta-analysis of the efficacy in treatment of primary sjogren's syndrome: Traditional Chinese Medicine vs Western Medicine

OBJCTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) to Western Medicine in the treatment of primary Sj?gren's syndrome(p SS).METHODS: We collected randomized controlled trials of TCM vs Western Medicine for the treatment of p SS in Chinese and foreign databases. The study quality was evaluated as suggested in the Cochrane Handbook. The Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.0 statistical software.RESULTS: A total of 31 randomized controlled trials with 2137 cases were retrieved. The efficiencies of TCM and control treatments were 87.18% and65.63%, respectively. The results of heterogeneity tests showed that the data were homogeneous(P = 0.83), thus a fixed effects model was used for analysis. The results revealed an odds ratio of 3.74 with a 95% confidence interval of 2.99-4.69. The overall effectiveness value was 11.48(P < 0.000 01).These results suggest the efficacy of TCM therapy for p SS better than Western Medicine.CONCLUSION: Although our findings reveal that the TCM treatment of p SS had significant advantages over its counterpart, there were some flaws in the studies included. The findings warrant further investigation.

Research advances in the treatment of Alzheimer＇s disease with polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicine

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of patients' memory and their cognitive abilities and the mechanism is not completely clear. Although a variety of drugs have been approved for the AD treatment, substances which can prevent and cure AD are still in great need. The effect of polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) on anti-AD has gained great progress and attained more and more attention in recent years. In this review, research advances in TCM-polysaccharides on AD made in this decade are summarized.

Traditional Chinese medicine is a useful and promising alternative strategy for treatment of Sjogren’s syndrome:A review

Primary Sjogren’s syndrome(p SS)is a chronic autoimmune disease involving exocrine glands.Current studies have found that the occurrence of the disease is closely related to genetic,environmental and neuroendocrine factors,as well as abnormal activation of T and B lymphocytes.The etiology and pathogenesis of p SS is complex,and there is a lack of specific targeted drugs.Traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs)have been comprehensively investigated for their treatment effects on p SS.Through a systematic review of the literature,we summarized the TCMs used to treat p SS,and find that there are four major ways that TCMs are used,including upregulation of aquaporin proteins,suppression of cell apoptosis,suppression of the abnormal activation of B lymphocytes and suppression of the abnormal activation of T lymphocytes(balancing T helper type[Th]1/Th 2& Th17/Treg and suppressing follicular helper T[Tfh]cells).However,there are not enough data about the active constituents,quality control,pharmacokinetics,toxicity and modern preparations of these TCMs;therefore,more investigations are needed.This paper highlights the importance of TCMs for treating p SS and provides guidance for future investigations.

Traditional Chinese medicine: a promising candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder,characterized clinically by insidious onset of memory and cognition impairment,emergence of psychiatric symptoms and behavioral disorder,and impairment of activities of daily living(ADL).Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is practiced in the Chinese health care system for more than 2,000 years.In recent years,scientists have isolated many novel compounds from herbs,some of which improve dementia with fewer side effects than conventional drugs and are regarded as potential anti-AD drugs.In this review,we summarize the latest research progress on TCM showing their possible role of treatment of AD and other demented diseases and possible pharmacological actions.

Clinical practices s of Traditional Chinese Medicine for acute upper respiratory tract infection in children

OBJECTIVE:To develop Clinical practice s of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) for acute upper respiratory tract infection(AURI) in children;TCM is usedalone or administered together with antibiotics.METHODS:Under the guidance of evidence-based medicine concept,in strict accordance with the rules of international s development,as well as on the basis of evidence of clinical research of TCM,the s solicited opinions from clinical experts and methodologists in TCM and Western Medicine.GRADE standard was applied to form experts' consensus.RESULTS:The s standardized classification of TCM patterns and TCM treatments in children with AURI,including prescription,Chinese patent medicine,non-drug treatment and prevention.CONCLUSION:Follows the principle of "evidence based,consensus supplemented,and experience referred",these s were formulated,but the quality of evidence of included studies were relatively low.Further refinement of the s should be needed as deeper clinical studies as available in future.