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.

The potential of Chinese herbal medicines in treating anxiety disorders

In recent years,there has not been much progress in developing anxiolytic drugs.Amongst the barriers are the lack of clarity on the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders,low product conversion rates for developing drugs targeting the receptors,and species variability.Some scientists have focused on natural medicines,especially herbal medicines in traditional Chinese medicine.New drugs with excellent anxiolytic activity are hoped to be found in herbal medicines with anxiolytic effects.This mini-review summarised three Chinese herbal medicines with anxiolytic effects and anxiolytic herbal formulas used in the traditional Chinese medicine clinic.Several key issues that block the development of new anxiolytic drugs are also discussed.We hope to provide some ideas for researching and developing new anxiolytic drugs and studying anxiolytic components in traditional Chinese medicine.

Investigation of Heavy Metal Contents in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Peristrophe roxburghiana Collected from Northwest of Guangxi

Objective] This study was conducted to evaluate the product quality and safety of Peristrophe roxburghiana_ col ected from different places in Hechi City, northwest of Gunagxi, so as to provide basic data for further development and uti-lization of the characteristic plant resource P. roxburghiana. [Method] Contents of 9 kinds of heavy metals including Cd, Mn, Pb, Zn and Cu in the herb were deter-mined by the method of wet digestion-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry, respectively. [Results] Heavy metal contents of Cd, Mn, Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Hg and Se were 1.62-17.25, 8.93-142.53, 4.37-18.43, 103.7-242.81, 2.55-5.35, 85.40-146.30, 0.07-0.54, 0.00-0.08 and 0.00-0.47 mg/kg, respectively. According to the national food safety standards and Green Trade Standards of lmporting ＆amp; Exporting Medicinal plants ＆amp; Preparations, the heavy metal contents of the P. roxburghiana_samples col ected from different coun-ties in Hechi City exceeded standards or at the critical values. Among which, Cd, Pb and Zn contents of the samples are seriously higher than the standards. [Con-clusion] Therefore, the impact of soil heavy metal pol ution on the safety of edible plants in the northwest of Guangxi should be highly concerned.

Effects of Salinity Fluctuation and Dietary Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines on Survival,Growth and Immunity of Exopalaemon carinicauda

[Objective]The aim of this study was to provide a theoretical basis for the large-scale breeding of Exopalaemon carinicauda. [Method]Effects of salinity fluctuation （S0,S3,S6 and S9 represented salinity fluctuations of 0,3,6 and 9 respectivley） and dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicines （0,1%,2% and 4% respectively） on survival,growth and immunity of E.carinicauda were studied,and its experiment lasted for 60 d. [Result]The results showed that specific growth rate,feed conversion efficiency and superoxide dismutase activity of E.carinicauda in the treatment group with 1% dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicine and S6 salinity fluctuation were higher than those in other treatments,which was significantly higher than the treatment groups with S0,S3 and S9 salinity fluctuation at the same adding level of 1% dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The regression analysis indicated that at S0,S3 and S6 salinity fluctuation,the optimal adding level of dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicines in feeds decreased with the increase of salinity fluctuation,accounting for 2.74%,1.77% and 0.51% respectively. At four adding levels of dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicines,the optimal salinity fluctuation of E.carinicauda also decreased with the increase of dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicines in feeds,accounting for 5.26,4.95,3.54 and 1.97 respectively. [Conclusion]Salinity,dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicines and their interactions have a significant effect on survival,growth and immunity of E.carinicauda,which calls for attentions in the breeding.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine on the Structure of Duodenal Mucosa of Chickens under Heat Stress

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese herbal medicine on the structure of duodenal mucosa of chickens under heat stress. [Method] One hundred and twenty 88-day-old Isa Brown chickens were randomly divided into six groups, including three control groups （normal temperature control group, high temperature control group, high temperature Vc control group） and three high-temperature administration groups （high-dose administration group, moderate-dose administration group, low-dose administration group）. Chickens in normal temperature control group were reared at 14-25 ℃, and those in other five groups were reared at 28-39 ℃. The experiment lasted 10 d. Five chickens in each group were euthanized at 1, 4, 8 and 10 d post-treatment, respectively. The duodenal mucosa was collected and prepared into tissue slices with the conventional method for hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Mucosal thickness, villus length and crypt depth of duodenal mucosa were measured. [Result] Under heat stress, duodenal mucosal thickness and villus length were both significantly lower than those in normal temperature control group, and the duodenal villi were scarce and thin. However, under high temperature conditions, various indicators in high-dose and moderate-dose administration groups were higher than those in high temperature control group and high temperature Vc control group, which exhibited extremely significant differences at 8 and 10 d post-treatment, especially. Moreover, various indicators in high-dose administration group were significantly higher than those in moderate-dose and low-dose administration groups. The traditional Chinese herbal medicine prescription exhibited higher protective effects on duodenal mucosa of chickens under heat stress compared with high temperature Vc control group. [Conclusion] Under heat stress, traditional Chinese herbal medicine reduced effectively the duodenal mucosa damage in chickens.

Progress on traditional Chinese medicine in improving hepatic fibrosis through inhibiting oxidative stress

Hepatic fibrosis is a common pathological process that occurs in the development of various chronic liver diseases into cirrhosis and liver cancer,characterized by excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix.In the past,hepatic fibrosis was thought to be a static and irreversible pathological process.In recent years,with the rapid development of molecular biology and the continuous in-depth study of the liver at the microscopic level,more and more evidence has shown that hepatic fibrosis is a dynamic and reversible process.Therefore,it is particularly important to find an effective,simple,and inexpensive method for its prevention and treatment.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)occupies an important position in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis due to its advantages of low adverse reactions,low cost,and multi-target effectiveness.A large number of research results have shown that TCM monomers,single herbal extracts,and TCM formulas play important roles in the prevention and treatment of hepatic fibrosis.Oxidative stress(OS)is one of the key factors in the occurrence and development of hepatic fibrosis.Therefore,this article reviews the progress in the understanding of the mechanisms of TCM monomers,single herbal extracts,and TCM formulas in preventing and treating hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting OS in recent years,in order to provide a reference and basis for drug therapy of hepatic fibrosis.

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.

Herbal traditional Chinese medicine and its evidence base in gastrointestinal disorders

Herbal traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is used to treat several ailments, but its efficiency is poorly documented and hence debated, as opposed to modern medicine commonly providinge ffective therapies. The aim of this review article is to present a practical reference guide on the role of herbal TCM in managing gastrointestinal disorders, supported by systematic reviews and evidence based trials. A literature search using herbal TCM combined with terms for gastrointestinal disorders in Pub Med and the Cochrane database identified publications of herbal TCM trials. Results were analyzed for study type, inclusion criteria, and outcome parameters. Quality of placebo controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trials was poor, mostly neglecting stringent evidence based diagnostic and therapeutic criteria. Accordingly, appropriate Cochrane reviews and meta-analyses were limited and failed to support valid, clinically relevant evidence based efficiency of herbal TCM in gastrointestinal diseases, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric or duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. In conclusion, the use of herbal TCM to treat various diseases has an interesting philosophical background with a long history, but it received increasing skepticism due to the lack of evidence based efficiency as shown by high quality trials; this has now been summarized for gastrointestinal disorders, with TCM not recommended for most gastrointestinal diseases. Future studies should focus on placebo controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trials, herbal product quality and standard criteria for diagnosis, treatment, outcome, and assessment of adverse herb reactions. This approach will provide figures of risk/benefit profiles that hopefully are positive for at least some treatment modalities of herbal TCM. Proponents of modern herbal TCM best face these promising challenges of pragmaticmodern medicine by bridging the gap between the two medicinal cultures.

Herbal Traditional Chinese Medicine and suspected liver injury: A prospective study

AIM To analyze liver tests before and following treatment with herbal Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) in order to evaluate the frequency of newly detected liver injury.METHODS Patients with normal values of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) as a diagnostic marker for ruling out pre-existing liver disease were enrolled in a prospective study of a safety program carried out at the First German Hospital of TCM from 1994 to 2015. All patients received herbal products, and their ALT values were reassessed 1-3 d prior to discharge. To verify or exclude causality for suspected TCM herbs, the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method(RUCAM) was used.RESULTS This report presents for the first time liver injury data derived from a prospective, hospital-based and largescale study of 21470 patients who had no liver disease prior to treatment with herbal TCM. Among these, ALT ranged from 1 × to < 5 × upper limit normal(ULN) in 844 patients(3.93%) and suggested mild or moderate liver adaptive abnormalities. However, 26 patients(0.12%) experienced higher ALT values of ≥ 5 × ULN(300.0 ± 172.9 U/L, mean ± SD). Causality for TCM herbs was RUCAM-based probable in 8/26 patients, possible in 16/26, and excluded in 2/26 cases. Bupleuri radix and Scutellariae radix were the two TCM herbs most commonly implicated. CONCLUSION In 26(0.12%) of 21470 patients treated with herbal TCM, liver injury with ALT values of ≥ 5 × ULN was found, which normalized shortly following treatment cessation, also substantiating causality.

Quality Inspection and Preparation of Diarrhea Arresting and Dysentery Treating Dietary Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine for Livestock

[Objective] This study was aimed to formulate the quality inspection of diarrhea arresting and dysentery treating dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicines for livestock.[Methods] Physiochemical identification and contrast test of UV spectrophotometer qualitative detection were adopted.[Results] The difference in the peak value of maximum adsorption peak detected by diluted water method was greater than 1 nm; the maximum adsorption peak values obtained by the 0.9％ hydrochloric acid and 60％ ethanol methods had a difference of less than 1 nm,and the secondary adsorption peak values also had a difference of less than 1 nm.[Conclusion] The 0.9％ hydrochloric acid and 60％ ethanol methods were selected as the quality inspection standards for the preparation of diarrhea arresting and dysentery treating dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicines for livestock.

Integrating traditional Chinese (herbal) medicines into risk based regulation-With focus on non-clinical requirements to demonstrate safety

Within the public health sector of Hong Kong(China),there is a consensus around the important role of traditional Chinese medicines.For Hong Kong(China)to play a bridging role to bring Chinese medicines to the global market requires a concerted effort from the government,academic institutes and industries.The release of the final version of the European Medicines Agencies guidance document,which details the acceptance of minimum requirements to nonclinical package in bibliographical applications,grants the opportunity for well-established and traditional herbal medicines to demonstrate an‘acceptable safe’status for registration in the European Union.It is anticipated that this minimum nonclinical package can be applied to demonstrate the safe use of many traditional Chinese medicines regardless of their eligibility to be registered under the simplified procedure within the European Union.This paper conceptualizes an integration of a simplified evaluation route for eligible proprietary Chinese medicines(pCm)with long history of use into the existing drug regulatory framework in Hong Kong(China).Such integration utilizing the minimum nonclinical package,based on bibliographical data or expert report,as proof of evidence to demonstrate safety for pCm with long history of use requires less demand in scientific resources.With Hong Kong(China)conducting‘first hand’review for eligible pCm,it provides an option for overseas and local pharmaceutical companies to register their products in Hong Kong(China)without the need to rely on issuance of Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product from other countries.This could bring eligible pCm with long history of use to reach international risk-based standard and to be marketed globally as‘medicines’to reach their full therapeutic potential.An important process to positioning Hong Kong(China)to compete with other countries in promoting importation and exportation of pCm to better serve the global health.

Drug discovery from traditional Chinese herbal medicine using high content imaging technology

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been widely used in China and other Asia countries for thousands of years to treat or prevent human diseases. Chinese herbal medicine, one of the most important components of TCM, has unique diversities in chemical components, and thus results in a wide range of biological activities. However, pharmaceutical industry is facing a major challenge to develop a large population of novel natural products and drugs, and considerable efforts have not resulted in highvolume of novel drug discovery and productivity. At present, increasing attention has been paid to Chinese herb medicine modernization in combination with the cutting-age technologies of drug discovery, especially the high throughput selection. High content imaging is an image-based high throughput screening method by using automated microscopy and image analysis software to capture and analyze phenotypes at a large scale to investigate multiple biological features simultaneously in the biological complex. Here, we described the pipeline of the state-of-the-art high content imaging technology, summarized the applications of the high content imaging technology in drug discovery from traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and finally discussed the current challenges and future perspectives for development of high throughput image-based screening technology in novel drug research and discovery.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine for vascular dementia

OBJECTIVE To systematically review the clinical efficacy and safety on TCHMs that are used for vascular dementia(VaD).METHODS To identify studies for systematical review,electronic searches were performed through several databases-ALOIS,CNKI,CBM,Weipu,Wanfang,etc.Only randomized control trials(RCTs)or controlled clinical trials(CCTs)were included.Patients were diagnosed with VaD by diagnostic criteria(DSM,NINDS-AIREN,ICD or HIS)as well as imaging technique(CT,MRI or functional imaging,etc).Eligible TCHMs must be recognized in the Chinese Pharmacopeia or the National Essential Drug List of the People′s Republic of China.Included studies were appraised using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias criteria.Efficacy and safety outcomes were evaluated by meta-analysis.Efficacy outcomes include cognition,daily function,global performance and behaviour;safety was assessed by the number of adverse events and number of subjects experiencing adverse events.Assessment of heterogeneity,subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed.RESULTS A total of 46 trials on 29TCHMs(3522patients)were included.45 studies were RCTs and 1was CCT.In these 45 RCTs,only 2were appraised as adequately randomised.5of 46 trials were appraised as having low risk of bias in blinding.Sample sizes were generally small ranging from 26 to 216with a median of 68.All trials were conducted in China from 1997 to 2013.All 46 studies assessed cognition using one or a combination of the following scales:MMSE(n=40 studies;3096 patients),HDS(n=22;1664 patients),ADAS-Cog(n=4;241 patients),CDT(n=1;60patients)and CCSE(n=1;26patients).Half of the studies assessed daily function using either the ADL(n=22;1743 patients)or IADL(n=2;203patients).Only 6studies measured behaviour using the FAQ(n=3;226 subjects),BBS(n=1;48patients),NPI(n=1;100subjects)or Neurological Deficits Function Scale(n=1;91patients).30 studies measured global performance.31 of 46 studies made conclusions regarding the safety of the TCHMs.Despite the problems of methodology and reporting,we can identify three TCHMs-NaoXinTong,Shenfu and Tongxinluo as having relatively stronger evidence of efficacy.There is weak evidence for the safety of TCHMs for VaD.CONCLUSION There is weak evidence for the efficacy and safety of TCHMs for VaD because of the poor methodology,short duration of follow-up and inadequate reporting.However the agents appear to be relatively free of severe short-term AEs,hence we encourage further better designed and reported trials.

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine for Epilepsy Treatment Should Be Administered According to the Seizure Type and Epileptic Syndrome

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) has long been used to treat epilepsy. Although many clinical trials and animal studies have seemingly demonstrated its effect, the question of whether TCHM is efficacious in epileptic patients has not been certified because of insufficient supportive evidence. This insufficient supportive evidence stems from the fact that most of the current studies regarding TCHM for epilepsy treatment are not designed according to the different seizure types and epileptic syndromes (STESs). Here, we explore the reasons why many studies have not considered the various STESs and explain how to treat epilepsy according to the pharmacological mechanism for different STESs and exploit the advantage of TCHM for epilepsy treatment. Then, we explain how we treat epilepsy using TCHM according to the different STESs and Bian Zheng Lun Zi.

In vitro study on the antiviral activity of 9 extracts of traditional Chinese herbal medicine against the human respiratory syncytial virus

Objective:To study the in vitro virucidal activity of 9 extracts of traditional Chinese herbal medicine(the water extracts of Evodia lepta,Clausena lansium,Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum,Callicarpa nudiflora,Nauclea officinalis and Elaeagnus gonyanthes,the alcohol extracts of Nauclea officinalis,Elaeagnus gonyanthes and Zanthoxylumarmatum)on human respiratory syncytial virus(HRSV).Methods:The cytotoxic effect of the extracts on cells was evaluated by a cell viability assay using the CCK-8 method,a concentration of the extracts with cell viability greater than 50%was selected for the follow-up anti-HRSV effect assay,the 50%effective concentration(EC50)was assessed by an in vitro cell infection model.Results:The EC50s of the water extract from Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum,Callicarpa nudiflora and Elaeagnus gonyanthes were 0.05 mg/mL,0.03 mg/mL and 0.05 mg/mL,and the therapeutic index(TI)of them were 18.60,21.67 and 56.80 respectively.Conclusion:The water extracts of Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum,Callicarpa nudiflora and Elaeagnus gonyanthes possess the activity of anti-HRSV virus.

Sino-Europe Symposium on Traditional Chinese Medicine & Herbal Medicine

The symposium held from 25^th to 26^th,March 2019 in Yale Center Beijing provided an open dialogue between representatives of the national competent authorities and industries with respect to regulatory requirements for the authorization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and traditional herbal medicinal products in China as well as in Europe,aiming at optimizing mutual understanding of the different herbal systems and ideally harmonizing views on similar quality control,clinical research and safety,herbal marketing and regulatory policies.

Sino-Europe Symposium on Traditional Chinese Medicine & Herbal Medicine

The symposium held from 25th to 26th , March in Yale Center Beijing provided an open dialogue between representatives of the national competent authorities and industries with respect to regulatory requirements for the authorization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and traditional herbal medicinal products in China as well as in Europe, aiming at optimizing mutual understanding of the different herbal systems and ideally harmonizing views on similar quality control, clinical research and safety, herbal marketing and regulatory policies.

Study and Countermeasures on Safety Control of Traditional Chinese Medicines Industry Chain

I'm very grateful to Chinese Pharmaceutical Association and DIA for their elaborate organization,so that we are able to participate in the Sino-Europe Symposium.Yesterday and today,several professors have talked about various aspects.It is true that the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine is important,and safety is equally important.For this reason,our laboratory works on the effective test,and at the same time,since 2001,we have been focusing on the safety of traditional Chinese medicines,especially the research on exogenous pollution.Today,I would like to share with you some of the quality control of the whole industry chain of traditional Chinese medicine and some of our thoughts.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine plus triple therapy in treating Helicobacter pylori-induced chronic atrophic gastritis: a meta-analysis and cumulative meta-analysis

Objectives:To evaluate the benefits of traditional Chinese herbal medicine(TCHM)plus triple therapy(TT)in the management of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)-induced chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG).Methods:A comprehensive access and electronic database search were carried out from inception to June 2020.Prospective randomized trials(TCHM plus TT vs.TT)were selected to assess the eradication rate of H.pylori(ER of H.pylori),clinical symptom relief rate(SRR),treatment-related adverse reactions(TRAR)and 95%confidence intervals(CI)in the meta-analysis and cumulative meta-analysis(CMA).Meta-regression analysis was used to analyze heterogeneity between studies and publication bias.Results:33 studies contained 3,226 participants were included.Compared with the TT group,TCHM plus TT group showed a significantly higher ER of H.pylori(OR=4.14,95%CI:3.21-5.35;P=0.000)and SRR(OR=4.50,95%CI:3.59-5.64).Meanwhile,the TRAR of TCHM plus TT remedy was significantly lower than TT monopoly(RR=0.43,95%CI:0.29-0.64;P=0.000).The results of the CMA,sorted by publication year,duration of treatment,and sample size,confirmed that combined treatment remedy was superior to TT monopoly in respect of ER of H.pylori and SRR.Conclusions:The present study obtained reliable and convincing evidence suggesting that TCHM plus TT remedy was efficacious and safe in treating H.pylori-induced CAG.

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.