Status of Organism Factors in Occurrence of Toxicity of Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Through analysis of factors affecting toxicity of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), relationship between toxicity of TCM and physical constitution was explored, which provided a new idea for preventing occurrence of toxicity of TCM. Efforts were made to summarize causes of toxicity of TCM, and analyze relationship between physical constitution and toxicity of TCM. following aspects were taken into account①main reason for people to use TCM is disease, which is pathological state of human beings. The pathological state may have more demands for corresponding TCM. The TCM rule of "disease-based treatment" is an important manifestation for correlating drugs with syndromes. Then how can normal animals reflect human toxicity under pathological conditions. ②People with pathological conditions, especially with a long disease course, may have abnormal liver and kidney functions. Then how to distinguish cause of toxicity of TCM in liver and kidney dysfunctions.③The long-term disease state can also lead to disorder of intestinal flora of body. Then how is impact of interaction between intestinal flora and TCM reflected in toxicity of TCM.④Although emotional and psychological factors account for a small proportion of toxicity of TCM, it still has an effect.⑤Although humans and animals have a high degree of similarity, there are still species differences (such as croton). Then how is human clinical toxicity consistent with animal research toxicity. The efficacy is related to expectation, while toxicity is related to background. At present, toxicity of TCM is more caused by factors of TCM (such as variety, quality, processing), and factors of TCM application (like compatibility, drug correspondence, dosage, course of treatment), which are external causes of toxicity of TCM. physiological condition, pathological state, emotional and psychological factors, and intestinal flora of body are internal factors. The physical constitution factors are internal factors of toxicity of TCM, and external factors play a role based on internal factors. At the same time, there are essential differences between humans and animals. Animal toxicological experiments are only for clinical reference. By analyzing concepts related to toxicity of TCM and physical constitution factors, modern researches on toxic effects of TCM are also promoted accordingly, and TCM toxicity theory is also improved, which provides a scientific basis for safe and rational application of TCM in clinical practice. Of course, research on animal models under pathological conditions shall be strengthened to promote study of toxicity of TCMs, so as to deepen people's understanding of toxicity of TCMs.