Tensor decomposition: new strategy for deciphering mechanism of precision medicine for same treatment of different diseases / 中国中药杂志

The aging society has led to a substantial increase in the number of clinical comorbidities. To meet the needs of comorbidity treatment, polypharmacy is widely used in clinical practice. However, polypharmacy has drawbacks such as treatment conflict. Same treatment of different diseases refers to treating different diseases with same treatment. Therefore, the principle of same treatment of different diseases can alleviate the problems caused by polypharmacy. Under the research background of precision medicine, it becomes possible to explore the mechanism of same treatment of different diseases and achieve its clinical application. However, drugs successfully developed in the past have revealed shortcomings in clinical use. To better interpret the mechanism of precision medicine for same treatment of different diseases, under the multi-dimensional attributes including dynamic space and time, omics was performed, and a new strategy of tensor decomposition was proposed. With the characteristics of complete data, tensor decomposition is advantageous in data mining and can fully grasp the connotation of precision treatment of different diseases with same treatment under dynamic spatiotemporal changes. This method is used for drug repositioning in some biocomputations. By taking advantage of the dimensionality reduction of tensor decomposition and integrating the dual influences of time and space, this study achieved accurate target prediction of same treatment of different diseases at each stage, and discovered the mechanism of precision medicine of same treatment for different diseases, providing scientific support for precision prescription and treatment of different diseases with same treatment in clinical practice. This study thus conducted preliminary exploration of the pharmacological mechanism of precision Chinese medicine treatment.

Origin, development, and modern application value of Chinese herbal lozenges / 中国中药杂志

Lozenge is one of the traditional dosage forms of Chinese medicine. It has been recorded in traditional Chinese medical classics of all dynasties since the Eastern Han Dynasty and has been developing and evolving continuously. The unique pharmaceutical methods and application scope are the driving force of its emergence, existence, and development. Up to now, lozenge has been included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as an independent dosage form. Lozenge has been endowed with new meaning by modern Chinese medicine pharmaceutics, which is worth tracing origin and exploring value. The present study reviewed the origin and development of lozenge, compared lozenge with other similar dosage forms, analyzed the characteristics of modern and ancient dosage forms of lozenge, and discussed the development prospect and potential of lozenge in combination with the demand development of modern Chinese medicine preparation, so as to provide references for expanding the modern application of lozenge.

SHENG Can-ruo's experience in treatment of goiter with integrated acupuncture and herbal medication / 中国针灸

The paper introduces professor SHENG Can-ruo's experience in treatment of goiter with the combination of acupuncture and herbal medication. Professor SHENG believes that this disease is mostly related with emotional injury, improper diet and geographical and climatic factors, as well as body constitution. Qi stagnation, phlegm retention, blood stagnation and interaction of phlegm and stasis are the essential pathogenesis of goiter. Either acupuncture or herbal medication should focus on "phlegm and stasis" in treatment. Besides, the theory of western medicine should also be considered. In western medicine, thyroid enlargement is classified into Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ degrees of struma, thus, the pathogenesis and treatment with Chinese medicine should be adjusted accordingly. The created "four throat points", combined with acupuncture at distal points, relieve the local masses. The basic herbal formula is prepared and the couplet medicines are modified based on syndrome differentiation. The integrated acupuncture and herbal medication regulates emotions and provides a comprehensive treatment for goiter.

A Breakthrough Point in Integrative Medical Research: Challenge of Treating Overlapping Symptoms in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders / 中国结合医学杂志

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common disorders that are characterized by persistent and recurring gastrointestinal symptoms. Many patients with FGIDs have overlapping symptoms, which impaired the quality of life and ability to work of patients, and left a considerable impact on health-care systems and society. Chinese medicines (CMs) are commonly utilized by many patients with FGIDs. This article discusses the current status of diagnosis and treatment of FGIDs, the advantages and characteristics of CM treatment, and how integrated medicine can make a breakthrough in FGIDs diagnosis and treatment.

Network Meta-analysis of oral or nasal feeding with Chinese patent medicine in treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage / 中国中药杂志

The effect of oral or nasal feeding with Chinese patent medicine on hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage was systematically evaluated by using the method of network Meta-analysis. Four Chinese databases(CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, CBM), three English databases(Medline, EMbase, Cochrane Library) and ClinicalTrials.gov were retrieved through computers. According to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of Chinese patent medicine combined with Western medicine in the treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage were screened out according to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. The Cochrane bias risk assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies, and Stata 16.0 software was used to analyze the outcome indicators. A total of 3 888 literatures were retrieved, and 30 studies involving 6 kinds of Chinese patent medicines were finally included. The total sample size was 2 758 cases, including 1 401 cases in the treatment group and 1 357 cases in the control group. According to the results of network Meta-analysis,(1)in terms of improving the degree of nerve function defect, the order of Chinese patent medicines was conventional Western medicine combined with Xiaoyukang Capsules>combined with Tongxinluo Capsules>combined with Naoxuekang Oral Liquid>combined with Naoxueshu Oral Liquid>combined with Angong Niuhuang Pills>conventional Western medicine;(2)in terms of reducing the amount of residual cerebral hematoma, the order of Chinese patent medicines was conventional Western medicine combined with Naoxueshu Oral Liquid>combined Xiaoyukang Capsules>combined Naoxuekang Oral Liquid>conventional Western medicine;(3)in terms of improving ability of daily living, the order of Chinese patent medicines was conventional Western medicine combined with Shenzhi Huoxue Capsules>combined with Angong Niuhuang Pills>combined with Naoxueshu Oral Liquid>conventional Western medicine;(4)in terms of improving total effective rate, the order of Chinese patent medicines was conventional Western medicine combined with Naoxueshu Oral Liquid>combined with Xiaoyukang Capsules>combined with Angong Niuhuang Pills=combined with Naoxuekang Oral Liquid>combined Tongxinluo Capsules>conventional Western medicine treatment. The results showed that in addition to conventional Western medicine therapy, the combined use with Chinese patent medicine can improve the clinical efficacy in the treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. However, due to the differences in the number and quality of various Chinese patent medicines included in the studies, and the lack of direct comparison of Chinese patent medicines, the ranking results still need to be verified by multi center, large-sample-size randomized double-blind trials in the future, so as to provide more reliable evidence support for clinical drug use.

Evidence mapping of clinical research on 28 Chinese patent medicines for tension-type headache / 中国中药杂志

In this study, the evidence mapping methodology was used to systematically retrieve and sort out the clinical research evidence of Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of tension-type headache(TTH), and to understand the distribution of evidence in this field and the basis and quality of evidence. Chinese and English articles on the 28 Chinese patent medicines for TTH, which were recorded in National Essential Medicines List(2018), Medicine Catalogue for National Basic Medical Insurance, Work Injury Insurance, and Maternity Insurance(2020), and Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020), were retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Wanfang, VIP, China Biology Medicine disc(CBMdisc), PubMed, EMbase, and Cochrane Library from the establishment to June 2021, followed by descriptive analysis. Then, tables and bubble charts were plotted to analyze the distribution characteristics of evidence. A total of 129 eligible articles were yielded: 126 randomized/non-randomized controlled trials, and 3 systematic reviews. The functions, indications, and composition of the 28 medicines, as well as the proportion of related articles, publication trends, intervention measures, and outcome indicators were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the 28 Chinese patent medicines, composed of 128 Chinese medicinals, can be classified into six categories in terms of function: reinforcing healthy Qi, tranquilizing mind, dispelling stasis, regulating Qi, treating wind, and resuscitating. There are ongoing efforts to study the treatment of TTH with Chinese patent medicine in China, despite of little evidence. The clinical positioning of Chinese patent medicine for TTH is not clear, and clinical research fails to highlight the advantages of Chinese medicine. In addition, the outcome indicators have not been standardized and unified, and there is a lack of evidence on the long-term efficacy of Chinese patent medicine for TTH. This study is the first exploratory application of evidence maps to compare the characteristics and clinical research progress of 28 Chinese patent medicines for TTH, which can provide a reference for research on the optimization of Chinese medicine strategies for TTH.

Network Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicines in treatment of insomnia / 中国中药杂志

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of insomnia by frequency network Meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials of Chinese patent medicines for insomnia were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase and Cochrane Library databases from the time of database establishment to October 2020. The quality of the included RCTs was evaluated according to the Cochrane bias risk standard, and the data was analyzed by RevMan 5.3 and Stata/MP 15.1. A total of 11 kinds of Chinese patent medicines in 27 RCTs were included. According to Meta-analysis, in term of the effective rate, Tianmeng Liquid, Zaoren Anshen Capsules, Shumian Capsules, Shensong Yangxin Capsules, Shenqi Wuweizi Tablets, Shugan Jieyu Capsules, Anshen Bunao Liquid and Qiye Anshen Tablets combined with nonbenzodiazepine drugs(NBZDs) were superior to NBZDs alone. In term of the improvement of Pittsburg sleeping quality index(PSQI) score, Tianmeng Liquid, Shumian Capsules, Shensong Yangxin Capsules, Bailemian Capsules, Shenqi Wuweizi Tablets, Shugan Jieyu Capsules, Yangxue Qingnao Granules and Yindan Xinnaotong Capsules combined with NBZDs were superior to NBZDs alone. In terms of the safety, Shumian Capsules, Shensong Yangxin Capsules, Shenqi Wuweizi Tablets and Qiye Anshen Tablets combined with NBZDs were superior to NBZDs alone. In terms of the avoidance of dizziness and headache, Qiye Anshen Tablets combined with NBZDs were superior to NBZDs alone. The results of Network Meta-analysis indicated that in term of the effective rate, top three optimal medication regimens were NBZDs combined with Shugan Jieyu Capsules, combined with Zaoren Anshen Capsules and combined with Shensong Yangxin Capsules in the order from high to low. With the respect of improvement of PSQI score, top three optimal medication regimens were NBZDs combined with Yangxue Qingnao Granules, combined with Tianmeng Liquid and combined with Yindan Xinnaotong Capsules in the order from high to low. In terms of the safety, top three optimal medication regimens were NBZDs combined with Qiye Anshen Tablets, combined with Shensong Yangxin Capsules and combined with Shenqi Wuweizi Tablets in the order from high to low. In terms of the avoidance of dizziness and headache, top three optimal medication regimens were NBZDs combined with Qiye Anshen Tablets, combined with Zaoren Anshen Capsules and combined with Shumian Capsules in the order from high to low. In terms of the avoidance of fatigue, top three optimal medication regimens were NBZDs combined with Shensong Yangxin Capsules, combined with Shumian Capsules and combined with Qiye Anshen Tablets in the order from high to low. In conclusion, Chinese patent medicines combined with NBZDs can effectively alleviate the symptoms of insomnia with a high safety. However, the conclusion of this study needs to be verified by more high-quality studies because of the low methodological quality of the included studies.

Platelet function tests and Chinese medicines with antiplatelet function:a review / 中国中药杂志

Platelet function tests have been increasingly used to assist in the diagnosis of platelet disorders and prethrombotic state, monitoring of the efficacy of antiplatelet therapies, and personalized treatment. On the basis of light transmission aggregometry, new methods for platelet function test have been developed successively. At present, the research and development of platelet function detector is in its infancy in China. The active constituents of antiplatelet Chinese medicines can be classified into terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, organic acids, lignans, diketones, volatile oils, and stilbenes. The results of dose-antiplatelet effect relationship of Chinese medicines and the active constituents showed that the effective concentration of the extracts or monomers of Chinese medicines was at micromolar level(μmol·L~(-1)), among which salvianolic acid B and ginkgolide K, ginkgolide B, and ginkgolide A had the strongest antiplatelet effect. These results suggest that the antiplatelet effect of Chinese medicine may be weaker than that of chemical drugs and biological products. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the structure-activity relationship of the active constituents in existing Chinese medicines and further improve their efficacy through structure modification. The antiplatelet effect of Chinese medicines and the constituents involves multiple pathways and multiple targets. These research results provide a reference for clinical application of them. However, there is still a lack of large-scale multi-center clinical trials to confirm the efficacy and safety of them. The regularity of the relationship between the structures of various constituents and their corresponding functions is still unknown and the relevant signal transduction pathways and structure-activity relationship need to be further studied. This paper summarized and analyzed the determination methods of platelet functions and the research results of antiplatelet Chinese medicines, which is of reference value for the research of effective and safe antiplatelet Chinese medicines.

Footprints on the foundation road of Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in seventy years / 中国针灸

The exploration and representative achievements of Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences are reviewed during the past 70 years since its foundation in the basic research field, e.g. theoretic innovation, literature research, cultural relic study and museum construction, as well as acupuncture-moxibustion standardization. Besides, the analysis is conducted on the relevant aspects that needs to be improved or enhanced. Facing the future and reviewing the original aspiration, the approaches to the new journey of inheritance and innovation in Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion have been explored, i.e. discovering rules, creating innovation methods, constructing platform and refining essence.

Network Meta-analysis of Chinese patent medicine in treatment of unstable angina pectoris / 中国中药杂志

Network Meta-analysis was used to compare the efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of unstable angina pectoris. PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and other databases were retrieved by computers from the establishment of the databases to June 2020. Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of unstable angina pectoris were collected. Two investigators independently screened out the literatures, and extracted data according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of the included RCTs was evaluated according to the bias risk assessment tool recommended by the Cochrane System Reviewer Manual, and the Stata 13.0 software was used for data analysis and mapping. Through screening, 28 eligible studies were finally included, with the sample size of 2 885 cases, involving 8 Chinese patent medicines. The results of the network Meta-analysis showed that in terms of total effective rate for angina symptom improvement, the order was as follows: Shenshao Capsules > Naoxintong Capsules > Ginkgo Ketone Ester Dripping Pills > Compound Danshen Dripping Pills > Ginkgo Leaf Tablets > Shexiang Baoxin Pills > Tongxinluo Capsules > Yindan Xinnaotong Soft Capsules; in terms of total effective rate for ECG curative effect, the order was as follows: Ginkgo Ketone Ester Dripping Pills>Compound Danshen Dripping Pills > Tongxinluo Capsules > Shenshao Capsules > Shexiang Baoxin Pills > Yindan Xinnaotong Soft Capsules; in terms of hypersensitivity-C-reactive protein curative effect, the order was as follows: Tongxinluo Capsules > Shenshao Capsules > Ginkgo Leaf Tablets>Compound Danshen Dropping Pills> Shexiang Baoxin Pills > Naoxintong Capsules > Yindan Xinnaotong Soft Capsules > Ginkgo Ketone Ester Dropping Pills. Chinese patent medicine combined with conventional therapy can improve the clinical efficacy of unstable angina pectoris. Due to the differences in the quantity and quality of the included studies, the order results of Chinese patent medicines need to be further verified.

Pre-formulation physicochemical properties of component-based Chinese medicine of Qinqi Fengshi Fang / 中国中药杂志

Pre-formulation physicochemical properties of the component-based Chinese medicine of Qinqi Fengshi Fang were investigated to provide a research basis for the design of the dosage form for component-based Chinese medicine of Qinqi Fengshi Fang. The macroporous resin adsorption and refining technology was used to prepare the total glycosides extract of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix, Panacis Majoris Rhizome and Corni Fructus respectively in the prescription of Qinqi Fengshi Fang. Their physicochemical properties were investigated, including solubility, wettability, hygroscopicity, equilibrium solubility, oil-water partition coefficient, and stability. The results showed that the total glycosides of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix, Panacis Majoris Rhizome and Corni Fructus all had good solubility and wettability. The solubility index of each total glycoside component was greater than 85%, and the water absorption index was greater than 50%. In the range of pH 2.0-7.4, the equilibrium solubility of three kinds of total glycosides all increased with the increase of pH, showing a consistent change trend of solubility. The hydrophilicity was also suitable and similar. Overall, three kinds of total glycosides showed good stability, but strong hygroscopicity. The degree of hygroscopicity was as follows: total glycosides of Gen-tianae Macrophyllae Radix > total glycosides of Corni Fructus > total glycosides of Panacis Majoris Rhizome. Therefore, the hygroscopi-city needed to be considered in the preparation of the component-based Chinese medicine of Qinqi Fengshi Fang. The excipients and packaging materials can be properly selected to reduce the hygroscopicity of the preparation. This study provides a reference for the dosage form design of the component-based Chinese medicine of Qinqi Fengshi Fang.

Systematic review on efficacy and safety of Lanqin Oral Liquid in treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease / 中国中药杂志

Lanqin Oral Liquid is a Chinese patent medicine which contains Isatidis Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Gardeniae Fructus, Phellodendri Chinensis Cordex and Sterculiae Lychophorae Semen. It is known for the pharmaceutical effect on the upper respiratory tract infection as it is beneficial for relieving the swelling of pharyngeal. In terms of Chinese medicine, it offers a clearing action on heat and toxic materials. According to the principle of Chinese medicine, different diseases can be treated by the same therapy as long as they have the same syndrome. Based on this unique diagnosis and treatment approach, Lanqin Oral Liquid was applicable to diseases with syndrome of excessive heat in lung and stomach. It was therefore commonly be used in the therapeutic approach towards hand, foot and mouth disease as well. However, no systematic evaluation had yet been done to verify this Chinese patent medicine on the efficacy and clinical safety for the disease. In order to achieve the manner of evidence-based medicine, this study had adopted a systematic review and Meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lanqin Oral Liquid in the treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease. All related randomized controlled trials(RCT) were searched in the following data bases: CNKI, WanFang, VIP, SinoMed, Cochrane Library and PubMed. Based on the method provided by the Cochrane collaboration, the study assessed the quality of papers selected and RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform Meta-analysis. Totally 24 studies were included with 3 491 sample size, which 1 826 cases were treatment group and 1 665 cases were control group. From the results of Meta-analysis, the total effective rate of combination of Lanqin Oral Liquid and Western medicines shown better than Western medicine alone in the treatment for hand, foot and mouth di-sease, but mild adverse event were also found(RR=1.20,95%CI[1.16,1.23],P<0.000 01). Incidence of adverse reaction between experimental and control group was statistically insignificant(RR=1.16, 95%CI[0.79, 1.70], P=0.45). No conclusion was able to made in terms of the remission time of clinical symptoms, as the studies included were not qualified for Meta-analysis. As a matter of fact, the number of existing studies related to the Lanqin Oral Liquid were limited with poor quality as well. In other words, high quality studies were essential to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lanqin Oral Liquid.

Network Meta-analysis of oral Chinese patent medicine in treatment of migraine / 中国中药杂志

To systemically assess the clinical efficacy of oral Chinese patent medicine for migraine by using network Meta-analysis. Four Chinese databases(CNKI, VIP, WanFang, CBM), three English databases(Medline, EMbase, Cochrane Library) and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically and comprehensively retrieved from the establishment of each database to April 24, 2020. Rando-mized controlled trial(RCT) on oral Chinese patent medicine combined with Flunarizine for migraine were screened out according to inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Literature screening and data extraction were conducted independently by 2 researchers. The included studies were evaluated with the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. Data analysis was conducted by using Stata 16.0 software. Finally, a total of 52 RCTs were included, involving 11 kinds of oral Chinese patent medicines. The results of the network Meta-analysis showed that in terms of headache frequency, the order of efficacy was: Flunarizine combined with Tongtian Oral Liquid>combined with Zhengtian Pills>combined with Toutongning Capsules>combined with Yangxue Qingnao Granules>combined with Tianshu Capsules>combined with Xuefu Zhuyu Capsules>combined with Danzhen Toutong Capsules>combined with Chuanxiong Qingnao Granules>combined with Songling Xuemaikang Capsules. In terms of headache intensity, the order of efficacy was: Flunarizine combined with Tongtian Oral Liquid>combined with Zhengtian Pills>combined with Danzhen Toutong Capsules>combined with Tianshu Capsules>combined with Toutongning Capsules>combined with Chuanxiong Qingnao Granules>combined with Yuntongding Capsules>combined with Yang-xue Qingnao Granules>combined with Danqi Soft Capsules. In terms of headache lasting time, the order of efficacy was: Flunarizine combined with Tongtian Oral Liquid>combined with Yangxue Qingnao Granules>combined with Toutongning Capsules>combined with Zhengtian Pills>combined with Danzhen Toutong Capsules>combined with Tianshu Capsules>combined with Xuefu Zhuyu Capsules>combined with Yuntongding Capsules>combined with Chuanxiong Qingnao Granules>combined with Songling Xuemaikang Capsules. The results showed that oral Chinese patent medicines combined with Flunarizine were effective in improving the clinical efficacy for migraine. Due to the differences in the number and quality of studies included in studies of different Chinese patent medicines, and the lack of direct comparison of Chinese patent medicines, the results of the above order of Chinese patent medicines need to be demonstrated in future multi-center, large-sample, and double-blind randomized trial.

Evaluation for effectiveness of oriental medicine-based infertility treatment and spontaneous pregnancy rate of infertile patients using systematic review

This study is to evaluate the effectiveness of oriental medicine-based infertility treatment and to examine the validity of the oriental medicine-based infertility treatment program through a systematic review. The literature search database included not only PubMed, DBpia, and RISS (Research Information Sharing Service) but also OASIS (Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System) and Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal. Among 575 articles that searched, only three papers were randomized controlled trials and could be included for the evaluation of the effects of oriental medicine-based infertility treatment. There was no study showing the effectiveness of oriental medicine-based infertility treatment alone. Among 5,165 articles that searched, only 15 studies could be included for the evaluation of the natural pregnancy rate of infertile patients. These studies reported the natural pregnancy rates from 20.3% to 41.9%. As pregnancy rates ranged from 23.8% to 27.6% after the oriental medicine-based infertility treatment supporting programs, we cannot conclude that pregnancy rates for infertile patients might increase by this project. Therefore, there is a need to reconsider whether the oriental medicine-based infertility treatment program should continue in the future.

Anti-oxidant and anti-adipocyte differentiation of Aster glehni and Aster yomena / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Aster glehnii (AG) and Aster yomena (AY) are medicinal plants that belong to the family Compositea and grow widely in Korea. Plants in the genus Aster have been used to treat snakebite wounds or bruises in oriental medicine. This study compared the effects of anti-oxidants and anti-adipocyte differentiation according to the species (the aerial parts of AG and AY). METHODS: AG and AY were extracted using 70% ethanol (−E) and water (−W) at room temperature. The anti-oxidant activities were measured by total phenol contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), DPPH and ABTS+ assay. In addition, correlation analysis was performed for the anti-oxidant compounds and effect. The level of anti-adipocyte differentiation was assessed using an oil red O assay on pre-adipocytes. RESULTS: AG-W showed higher TPC (6.92 µg/mL) and AG-E presented higher TFC (8.22 µg/mL) than the other extracts. Furthermore, AG-E exhibited higher radical scavenging activity in the DPPH and ABTS+ assay (IC50: 104.88 and 30.06 µg/mL). In the cytotoxicity assay, AG and AY extracts at concentrations less than 100µg/mL were non toxic. AG-W reduced the lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 cells significantly after differentiation (70.49%) compared to the other extracts. CONCLUSION: These results show that the water extract of AG has anti-oxidant effects and reduces the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Therefore, AG has utility as a functional food material for its anti-oxidant activities and ability to prevent lipid accumulation.

Apprenticeship system of American NCCAOM Certification of acupuncture and oriental medicine / 中国针灸

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is the only national institution for the accreditation of clinical practice of acupuncture and Oriental (Chinese) Medicine in the United States. Its qualification certificate or examination certificate is a mandatory document for 47 states and Washington, D.C. to issue the practice license. According to the latest information of the NCCAOM official website, this paper introduced the preceptor qualifications of the apprenticeship, studying hours, quality control, and the evaluation at the end of apprenticeship. The paper also discussed the enlightening and referential effects of the American system to apprenticeship policy in China.

Piperlongumine suppressed osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 macrophages

Piperlongumine (PL) is a natural product found in long pepper (Piper longum). The pharmacological effects of PL are well known, and it has been used for pain, hepatoprotection, and asthma in Oriental medicine. No studies have examined the effects of PL on bone tissue or bone-related diseases, including osteoporosis. The current study investigated for the first time the inhibitory effects of PL on osteoclast differentiation, bone resorption, and osteoclastogenesis-related factors in RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated by the receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). Cytotoxicity was examined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption were confirmed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and pit formation analysis. Osteoclast differentiation factors were confirmed by western blotting. PL exhibited toxicity in RAW264.7 macrophages, inhibiting osteoclast formation and bone resorption, in addition to inhibiting the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related factors, such as tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), c-Fos, and NFATc1, in RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. These findings suggest that PL is suitable for the treatment of osteoporosis, and it serves as a potential therapeutic agent for various bone diseases.

Text and Practice in East Asian Medicine: The Structure of East Asian Medical Knowledge Examined by Donguibogam Currents in Contemporary South Korea / 의사학

How do classical texts, such as Hwangdi Neijing and Shanghanlun, continuously play significant roles in medical practices in the history of East Asian medicine? Although this is a significant question in interpreting the position of written texts in the medical history and even for understanding the structure of East Asian medical knowledge, it has been conspicuously underexamined in the studies of East Asian medicine. In order to explore this underrepresented question, this study focuses on currents of tradition in contemporary South Korea. Drawing on anthropological fieldwork at three Donguibogam (Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine) currents, it delves into the interaction of text and practice in East Asian medicine. Even though all three currents (Hyun-dong, Byeong-in, Hyung-sang) are based on Donguibogam, their ways of reading the text and organizing clinical practices are diverse. Each current sets up a keyword, such as pulse diagnosis, cause of disease, and appearance-image, and attempts to penetrate the entire Donguibogam through the keyword. This means that the classical medical text is open to plural approaches. This study found that there is a visible gap between a medical text and the reader of the text in East Asia. Masters and currents of tradition are the actors who fill up the gap, continuously interpreting and reinterpreting classical texts, and guiding medical practices of new readers. Adding the history of practice to the body of literature that have focused on the history of written texts, this study will contribute to the history of East Asian medicine.

An Exploration into Life, Body, Materials, Culture of Mediaeval East Asia: Focusing on Emergency Medicine Recipes in Local Medicinals of Koryŏ Dynasty / 의사학

The Emergency Medicine Recipes in Local Medicinals (鄕藥救急方, Hyang'yak Kugŭpbang) (c. 14th century) is known to be one of the oldest Korean medical textbooks that exists in its entirety. This study challenges conventional perceptions that have interpreted this text by using modern concepts, and it seeks to position the medical activities of the late Koryŏ Dynasty 高麗 (918–1392) to the early Chosŏn Dynasty 朝鮮 (1392–1910) in medical history with a focus on this text. According to existing studies, Emergency Medicine Recipes in Local Medicinals is a strategic compromise of the Korean elite in response to the influx of Chinese medical texts and thus a medical text from a “periphery” of the Sinitic world. Other studies have evaluated this text as a medieval publication demonstrating stages of transition to systematic and rational medicine and, as such, a formulary book 方書 that includes primitive elements. By examining past medicine practices through “modern” concepts based on a dichotomous framework of analysis — i.e., modernity vs. tradition, center vs. periphery, science vs. culture — such conventional perceptions have relegated Emergency Medicine Recipes in Local Medicinals to the position of a transitional medieval publication meaningful only for research on hyangchal 鄕札 (Chinese character-based writing system used to record Korean during the Silla Dynasty 新羅 [57 BC–935 AD] to the Koryŏ Dynasty). It is necessary to overcome this dichotomous framework in order to understand the characteristics of East Asian medicine. As such, this study first defines “medicine 醫”, an object of research on medical history, as a “special form of problem-solving activities” and seeks to highlight the problematics and independent medical activities of the relevant actors. Through this strategy (i.e., texts as solutions to problems), this study analyzes Emergency Medicine Recipes in Local Medicinals to determine its characteristics and significance. Ultimately, this study argues that Emergency Medicine Recipes in Local Medicinals was a problem-solving method for the scholar-gentry 士人層 from the late Koryŏ Dynasty to the early Chosŏn Dynasty, who had adopted a new cultural identity, to perform certain roles on the level of medical governance and constitute medical praxis that reflected views of both the body and materials and an orientation distinguished from those of the so-called medicine of Confucian physicians 儒醫, which was the mainstream medicine of the center. Intertwined at the cultural basis of the treatments and medical recipes included in Emergency Medicine Recipes in Local Medicinals were aspects such as correlative thinking, ecological circulation of life force, transformation of materiality through contact, appropriation of analogies, and reasoning of sympathy. Because “local medicinals 鄕藥” is understood in Emergency Medicine Recipes in Local Medicinals as referring to objects easily available from one's surroundings, it signifies locality referring to the ease of acquisition in local areas rather than to the identity of the state of Koryŏ or Chosŏn. As for characteristics revealed by this text's methods of implementing medicine, Korean medicine in terms of this text consisted largely of single-ingredient formulas using diverse medicinal ingredients easily obtainable from one's surroundings rather than making use of general drugs as represented by materia medica 本草 or of multiple-ingredient formulas. In addition, accessible tools, full awareness of the procedures and processes of the guidelines, procedural rituals, and acts of emergency treatment (first aid) were more important than the study of the medical classics, moral cultivation, and coherent explanations emphasized in categorical medical texts. Though Emergency Medicine Recipes in Local Medicinals can be seen as an origin of the tradition of emergency medicine in Korea, it differs from medical texts that followed which specializing in emergency medicine to the extent that it places toxicosis 中毒 before the six climatic factors 六氣 in its classification of diseases.

Bibliographical Characteristics of North Korean Medical Journals and Articles

The aim of our work was to analyze the bibliographical characteristics of 9 North Korean medical journals and articles. All journals show only ten pieces of information, such as publication dates and table of contents, and do not provide submission guidelines and journal policy. Most of the journals were published four times a year. Editorials often share government policy. Research articles are very short and compressed. The journals often publish articles on oriental medicine and medical information useful to the public. In conclusion, the journals were published in their own unique style and format, which are far from the global standard.