Traditional Chinese Medicine-Based Subtyping of Early-Stage Type 2 Diabetes Using Plasma Metabolomics Combined with Ultra-Weak Photon Emission

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is increasing rapidly worldwide.Because of the limited success of generic interventions,the focus of the disease study has shifted toward personalized strategies,particularly in the early stages of the disease.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is based on a systems view combined with personalized strategies and has improved our knowledge of personalized diagnostics.From a systems biology perspective,the understanding of personalized diagnostics can be improved to yield a biochemical basis for such strategies;for example,metabolomics can be used in combination with other system-based diagnostic methods such as ultra-weak photon emission(UPE).In this study,we investigated the feasibility of using plasma metabolomics obtained from 44 pre-T2DM subjects to stratify the following TCM-based subtypes:Qi-Yin deficiency,Qi-Yin deficiency with dampness,and Qi-Yin deficiency with stagnation.We studied the relationship between plasma metabolomics and UPE with respect to TCM-based subtyping in order to obtain biochemical information for further interpreting disease subtypes.Principal component analysis of plasma metabolites revealed differences among the TCM-based pre-T2DM subtypes.Relatively high levels of lipids(e.g.,cholesterol esters and triglycerides)were important discriminators of two of the three subtypes and may be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.Plasma metabolomics data indicate that the lipid profile is an essential component captured by UPE with respect to stratifying subtypes of T2DM.The results suggest that metabolic differences exist among different TCM-based subtypes of pre-T2DM,and profiling plasma metabolites can be used to discriminate among these subtypes.Plasma metabolomics thus provides biochemical insights into system-based UPE measurements.

Traditional Chinese medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic:recent successes and future perspectives

The article titled“Three medicines and three formulas in COVID-19:from bench to bedside”introduces the clinical effects and mechanisms of three medicinal products and three prescription formulas(TMTF)from traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)as used during the COVID-19 pandemic[1].

Critical success factors for acceptance of multi-herbal Chinese medicine in Europe

Chinese medicine is one of the treasures of Chinese intellectual contributions to mankind.The character⁃istics that distinguish Chinese medicine from conventional Western medicine find its roots in the philosophical(Daoism)concepts of organizing principles to understand the body,health and disease.Key for worldwide acceptance of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is the ability to provide scientific evidence in combination with a quality control system based on the bioactive ingredients.Plant quality in relationship to a bioactivity approach is described that is comprised of a variety of novel approaches based on Systems Biology to tackle these issues.Modern scientific technology tools are now avail⁃able to accomplish standardization of TCM products in order to achieve a high level of efficacy and safety,enhancing the introduction into the international markets.The complexity of the many ingredients and the aspect of synergistic bioactivi⁃ties in TCM,limited the analysis for quality control so far only to the major components for each herb and did not provide evidence for a direct relationship with bioactive components.The systems Biology approach,a multi dimensional chemical and pharmacological approach enables linking of the complex metabolic profile of herbs with biological effects and is therefore a key for quality control of TCM material medica,while providing simultaneous scientific evidence for the under⁃lying efficacy and worldwide acceptance of TCM products.Furthermore,a concept of a business gateway comprising several key steps to unlock the business potential of TCM on Western markets will be presented,including the role of European pharmacopeia as well as community mono⁃graphs of the European Medicinal Agency.

The evolution and significance of medicine and food homology

Historical insights into medicine and food homology(MFH)Evolution of the MFH theory MFH,a basic concept in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),suggests that many materials function as both food and medicine,providing nourishment and simultaneously treating ailments.This concept has evolved significantly throughout TCM history^([1]).Integral to this evolution was the discovery of certain materials with dual purposes during early searches for food.These materials not only offer sustenance and nutrition but are also capable of treating simple illnesses^([2]).

复方中草药进入欧洲市场的关键成功因素

中医药是中国人民为人类贡献的宝贵财富之一。中医药在全球范围内被接受的关键是能够提供基于生物活性成分的质量控制系统作为科学证据的能力。目前现代科学技术完全可以实现中草药全产业链的标准化生产,确保药品的质量、有效性和安全性,从而打入国际市场。中草药以药品的身份进入欧盟有多种途径,但是无论哪一种选择,药物的质量都是最重要的。迄今为止,中草药成分的复杂性和其生物活性协同作用的复杂性,对药物质量控制来说仍然是一个挑战。特别是复方中草药的质量控制难度更大。系统生物学方法是一种多维化学和药理学方法,能够将复杂的中草药成分与生物活性联系起来。因此,系统生物学在中药领域的应用是中草药现代化研究领域的关键组成部分,它可以为中医的诊断和中草药的传统使用提供科学证据,从而大力提高中草药产品在全球的接受度。本文讨论了中草药特别是复方中草药进入欧洲的关键点,强调了质量标准的重要性,以及为保障质量标准的落实,执行不同类型的良好的质量管理(GXP)的重要性。同时,介绍了欧洲对植物药安全性和有效性的理解,以及采取的相应管理方法。此外,本文也为说明中草药在欧盟市场上的商业潜力,介绍了一些欧盟成员国常见疾病的OTC市场的情况,他们是注册中草药进入欧盟的主流市场,我们需要对这样的市场规模有一个准确的了解。

Herbal medicine in the treatment of COVID-19 based on the gut-lung axis

Respiratory symptoms are most commonly experienced by patients in the early stages of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, with a better understanding of COVID-19, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting haveattracted increasing attention. The gastrointestinal tract may be a target organ of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The intestinal microecological balance is a crucial factor for homeostasis, including immunity andinflammation, which are closely related to COVID-19. Herbal medicine can restore intestinal function and regulate the gut florastructure. Herbal medicine has a long history of treating lung diseases from the perspective of the intestine, which is called thegut-lung axis. The physiological activities of guts and lungs influence each other through intestinal flora, microflora metabolites,and mucosal immunity. Microecological modulators are included in the diagnosis and treatment protocols for COVID-19. Inthis review, we demonstrate the relationship between COVID-19 and the gut, gut-lung axis, and the role of herbal medicine intreating respiratory diseases originating from the intestinal tract. It is expected that the significance of herbal medicine in treatingrespiratory diseases from the perspective of the intestinal tract could lead to new ideas and methods for treatment.

Comparative Transcriptional Profiling and Preliminary Study on Heterosis Mechanism of Super-Hybrid Rice

Heterosis is a biological phenomenon whereby the offspring from two parents show improved and superior performance than either inbred parental lines. Hybrid rice is one of the most successful apotheoses in crops utilizing heterosis. Transcriptional profiling of F1 super-hybrid rice Liangyou-2186 and its parents by serial analysis of gene expression （SAGE） revealed 1183 differentially expressed genes （DGs）, among which DGs were found significantly enriched in pathways such as photosynthesis and carbon-fixation, and most of the key genes involved in the carbon-fixation pathway exhibited up-regulated expression in F1 hybrid rice. Moreover, increased catabolic activity of corresponding enzymes and photosynthetic efficiency were also detected, which combined to indicate that carbon fixation is enhanced in F1 hybrid, and might probably be associated with the yield vigor and heterosis in super-hybrid rice. By correlating DGs with yield-related quantitative trait loci （QTL）, a potential relationship between differential gene expression and phenotypic changes was also found. In addition, a regulatory network involving circadian-rhythms and light signaling pathways was also found, as previously reported in Arabidopsis, which suggest that such a network might also be related with heterosis in hybrid rice. Altogether, the present study provides another view for understanding the molecular mechanism underlying heterosis in rice.

The Role of the European Pharmacopoeia(Ph Eur)in Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in European Member States

In order to assure the safety and efficacy of the Chinese Medicines in Europe, the quality of TCM herbals should be guaranteed so that they can be freely imported in the European Union and other Western European Countries which are signatories of the European Pharmacopoeia Convention. Consequently, new Ph Eur TCM herbal drug Monographs should be elaborated, based on preexisting Monographs in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Ch P) 2010.Such a program has been inaugurated in 2005 by the Ph Eur Groups of Experts 13 A and B(Phytochemistry). Since then good progress has been made, elaborating of about one third of the originally proposed 100 TCM herbals being identified as important monographs for the European Market. Taking into account the many challenges still laying ahead, the establishment of a specialized Working Party(WP) on TCM with specialists and experts from many EU Member States has been decided by the Ph Eur Commission in 2008 which is highly active ever since in the examination and elaboration of new TCM herbal drug monographs, primarily to assure the safety of the European patient and further to provide quality parameters extremely important for all registration and licensing procedures of the respective National Authorities all over Europe.This paper is a survey of results and difficulties obtained so far which has been encountered meanwhile in the elaboration process by the Ph Eur TCM WP of these monographs and will discuss these in detail. Moreover the role of Ph Eur TCM monographs in the European community is addressed.