ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo collect and analyze the properties and application characteristics of external use of roots and rhizomes of Chinese herbal medicines in the Chinese Materia Medica（《中华本草》） to provide data references for the research on clinical external use of Chinese medicine， in order to provide data reference for clinical external use of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）. MethodThe Chinese herbal medicines included in the Chinese Materia Medica were systematically screened. The inclusion criterion was the explicit mention of terms like "root", "rhizome", "root bark", "tuber", "tuberous root", etc. under the "Source" in the Chinese Materia Medica. Information on properties, flavors, meridian tropism, medicinal parts, fresh use, toxicity, efficacies and indications, and dosage of roots and rhizomes of Chinese herbal medicines was collected. The information was then entered into an Excel spreadsheet for statistical analysis. ResultThe Chinese Materia Medica records 2 662 roots and rhizomes of Chinese herbal medicines, of which 1 653 are suitable for external use. The predominant properties and flavors are cool, cold, bitter, pungent, and sweet. These Chinese herbal medicines mainly act on the liver, lung, and spleen meridians. The primary medicinal parts used include root, rhizome, and root bark. More than half of the roots and rhizomes of Chinese herbal medicines can be used in their fresh form. The main efficacies include clearing heat, removing toxins, resolving stasis, dispersing accumulation, resolving blood stasis and stopping bleeding, reducing swelling and alleviating pain, dispelling dampness and relieving pain. The main indications are skin sores, traumatic injuries, and rheumatic diseases. Common external application methods include poultice, decoction for washing, and applying powdered form. Most of these Chinese herbal medicines lack specific dosage guidelines for external use, with an emphasis on using an appropriate amount. ConclusionThe Chinese Materia Medica contains a wide range of roots and rhizomes of Chinese herbal medicines suitable for external use, with definite therapeutic effects, providing a broad perspective for the application of Chinese medicine externally. However, there are still problems such as unclear dosages and limited research. Further studies are necessary to better utilize the advantages of the external use of Chinese medicine.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical application characteristics of prescription preparations for external use in the Chinese pharmacopoeia 2020 edition （hereafter abbreviated as the Pharmacopoeia）. MethodThe topical functions， usage， dosage， dosage form， application method， and prescription of the preparations for external use in the Pharmacopoeia were analyzed. ResultThe Chinese pharmacopoeia 2020 edition includes a total of 138 prescription preparations for external use， the specific clinical usage， dosage， administration method， and efficacy evaluation of which remain unclear. These preparations can be used to treat a wide range of diseases. Specifically， the use in orthopedics and traumatology （36 preparations， accounting for 26.09%） is dominant， followed by that in internal medicine， surgery， and throat. The major application method is directly applying to the diseased area （35 preparations， 25.36%）. The main dosage forms are ointment （40 preparations， 28.99%） and powder （24 preparations， 17.39%） and others include liniments， suppositories， tinctures， and sprays. The clinical usage and dosage of these preparations are mostly unclear. Only 48 preparations （34.78%） are recorded with clear dosage and frequency of use， and 45 preparations （32.61%） have neither clear dosage nor frequency of use. The 138 prescription preparations for external use include 211 single medicines， of which 44 single medicines can be used alone. The single medicines are mostly used for heat clearing （48 preparations， 22.75%）. ConclusionThe Chinese pharmacopoeia 2020 edition （Volume I） records a large number of prescription preparations for external use， and the number shows an increasing trend. However， the usage， dosage， and efficacy evaluation criteria of these preparations remain to be improved and need in-depth research.
ABSTRACT
Houpo Wenzhongtang was contained in Neiwaishang bianhuolun.It was composed of seven medicinal materials of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex(processed with ginger),Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium(remove white sac),Glycyrrhizea Radix et Rhizoma(processed with honey),Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen,Poria,Aucklandiae Radix and Zingiberis Rhizoma.It was a classic prescription for treatment of deficient cold of spleen and stomach,distention of chest and abdomen,autumn and winter guest cold crime stomach and feel pain at times by LI Dongyuan,who was a famous doctors in Jin-Yuan dynasties.It has been included in the Catalogue of Ancient Classical Prescription(The First Batch) issued by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2018.This paper systematically reviewed the relevant research progress of Houpo Wenzhongtang from the aspects of famous doctors' theory,usage and dosage,chemical composition,quality analysis,pharmacology and toxicology,clinical application in database,and to provide a reference for further exerting the clinical application of this classical prescription.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the varieties and use of oral proprietary Chinese medicines in our hospital, analyze the problems existing in their labelings, and put forward suggestions to provide reference for clinical rational drug use. METHODS: The properties of the 101 kinds of oral proprietary Chinese medicines in regard to the category, dosage form, essential drug, health care, OTC, and so on were summarized. Their labelings were collected to analyze the specification, usage and dosage, adverse reactions, contraindications and precautions, etc. RESULTS: Among the 101 traditional Chinese medicines, 44.6% were developed specially for children. When counted by categories and dosage forms, the medicines for regulating spleen and stomach and granules accounted for the majority, respectively. Essential drugs, drugs belonging to the directory of insured drugs, and OTC drugs accounted for 19.8%, 70.4%, and 26.7%, respectively. It was found that 51.5% of the labelings included dosage information for different ages in detail, 59.4% did not state adverse reactions and contraindications clearly, and the smallest dosage suggested by 14.9% of the labelings were less than the smallest packaging dose. CONCLUSION: Chinese patent medicines are widely used in pediatrics, but the information for children is still incomplete. The problems in the prescribing mainly include inappropriate selection of drugs and combination of medications. It was recommended that the relevant authorities carry out pediatric drug reevaluation and improve the labelings of pediatric drugs.