From ancient wisdom to modern science: Gut microbiota sheds light on property theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

The property theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been practiced for thousands of years, playing a pivotal role in the clinical application of TCM. While advancements in energy metabolism, chemical composition analysis, machine learning, ion current modeling, and supercritical fluid technology have provided valuable insight into how aspects of TCM property theory may be measured, these studies only capture specific aspects of TCM property theory in isolation, overlooking the holistic perspective inherent in TCM. To systematically investigate the modern interpretation of the TCM property theory from multidimensional perspectives, we consulted the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition) to compile a list of Chinese materia medica (CMM). Then, using the Latin names of each CMM and gut microbiota as keywords, we searched the PubMed database for relevant research on gut microbiota and CMM. The regulatory patterns of different herbs on gut microbiota were then summarized from the perspectives of the four natures, the five flavors and the meridian tropism. In terms of the four natures, we found that warm-natured medicines promoted the colonization of specific beneficial bacteria, while cold-natured medicines boosted populations of some beneficial bacteria while suppressing pathogenic bacteria. Analysis of the five flavors revealed that sweet-flavored and bitter-flavored CMMs positively influenced beneficial bacteria while inhibiting harmful bacteria. CMMs with different meridian tropism exhibited complex modulative patterns on gut microbiota, with Jueyin (Liver) and Taiyin (Lung) meridian CMMs generally exerting a stronger effect. The gut microbiota may be a biological indicator for characterizing the TCM property theory, which not only enhances our understanding of classic TCM theory but also contributes to its scientific advancement and application in healthcare. Please cite this article as: Yang YN, Zhan JG, Cao Y, Wu CM. From ancient wisdom to modern science: Gut microbiota sheds light on property theory of traditional Chinese medicine. J Integr Med. 2024; Epub ahead of print.

Characteristic Analysis of Imprinting Template of Flavonoid Clusters in Four Chinese Medicines to Lung Meridian and Establishment of Experimental Approach of Meridian Tropism in Vitro / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the characteristics of imprinting template of flavonoid clusters in four Chinese medicines attributed to the lung meridian， and to establish an in vitro experimental approach for the study of the attribution of Chinese medicines to the lung meridian. MethodBased on 13 Chinese medicines， including Xanthii Fructus， Houttuyniae Herba， Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma， Belamcandae Rhizoma and so on， which only belong to the lung meridian in Chinese Materia Medica（the 13th Five-Year planning textbook of general higher education）， we identified four representative Chinese medicines， namely Houttuyniae Herba， Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma， Belamcandae Rhizoma and Mori Cortex， and set up their fingerprints by high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） and calculated the molecular connectivity indices of various components in the four Chinese medicines， the similarity to their mean value was calculated by included angle cosine method， so as to establish the quantitative relationship of construction versus imprinting ability， and to determine the order of each component in the lung meridian. A total of 7 reference substances， including chlorogenic acid， rutin， quercetin， isoquercitrin， hyperoside， epicatechin， and iridin， were selected to validate the overall conformational relationships of flavonoids of the model， as well as its predictive ability. ResultHouttuyniae Herba， Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma， Belamcandae Rhizoma and Mori Cortex contained a total of 437 chemical components with an average molecular connectivity index similarity of 0.995 6. The four Chinese medicines contained a total of 204 flavonoids with an average molecular connectivity index similarity of 0.978 0， which was second only to the alkaloids with 0.985 1. The retention time（tR） of the 7 reference substances showed a good conformational relationship with the similarity of the molecular connectivity index（tR=831.4×S-790.3， r=0.861 4， P<0.01）， which was applicable to the in vitro attribution study of the position， similarity， and relative similarity with tR of the cluster of 98.04% of flavonoids. Accordingly， the 1st position was kuwanon D， with a similarity of molecular connectivity index of 0.987 7 and a tR of 30.88 min， the 200th position was chlorogenic acid， with a similarity of molecular connectivity index of 0.958 2 and a tR of 6.36 min. The total first-order moment of the four Chinese medicines calculated by total statistical moment method of fingerprint was 24.26 min， ranked 21， which could characterize 99.19% of the whole， and the total first-order moment of the total peak area of the 7 reference substances in the four Chinese medicines was 20.00 min， with a rank of 46， which could characterize 98.68% of the whole. ConclusionFlavonoid clusters are suitable probes for the characterization of imprinting template for the study of the lung meridian， which can be established a quantitative imprinting method for meridian tropism of Chinese medicines in vitro.

Analysis of target organs of Houttuynia cordata: A study on the anti-inflammatory effect of upper respiratory system.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (HC) is a traditional anti-pyretic herb that is classified as the lung meridian in traditional Chinese medicine. However, no articles have explored the main organs responsible for the anti-inflammatory activities of HC. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to investigate the meridian tropism theory of HC in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pyretic mice, as well as to identify the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transgenic mice carrying the luciferase gene driven by nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were intraperitoneally injected with LPS and orally administered standardized concentrated HC aqueous extract. The phytochemicals present in the HC extract were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. In vivo and ex vivo luminescent imaging from transgenic mice was used to investigate the meridian tropism theory and anti-inflammatory effects of HC. Microarray analysis of gene expression patterns was used to elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms of HC. RESULTS: HC extract was found to contain phenolic acids, such as protocatechuic acid (4.52%) and chlorogenic acid (8.12%), as well as flavonoids like rutin (2.05%) and quercitrin (7.73%). The bioluminescent intensities induced by LPS in the heart, liver, respiratory system, and kidney were significantly suppressed by HC, while the maximal decrease (about 90% reduction) of induced luminescent intensity was observed in the upper respiratory tract. These data suggested that upper respiratory system might be the target for HC anti-inflammatory abilities. HC affected the processes involved in innate immunity, such as chemokine-mediated signaling pathway, inflammatory response, chemotaxis, neutrophil chemotaxis, and cellular response to interleukin-1 (IL-1). Moreover, HC significantly reduced the proportions of p65-stained cells and the amount of IL-1ß in trachea tissues. CONCLUSION: Bioluminescent imaging coupled with gene expression profile was used to demonstrate the organ selectivity, anti-inflammatory effects, and therapeutic mechanisms of HC. Our data demonstrated for the first time that HC displayed lung meridian-guiding effects and exhibited great anti-inflammatory potential in the upper respiratory tract. The NF-κB and IL-1ß pathways were associated with the anti-inflammatory mechanism of HC against LPS-provoked airway inflammation. Moreover, chlorogenic acid and quercitrin might be involved in the anti-inflammatory properties of HC.

Mechanism of Toxic Chinese Medicinals Against Esophageal Cancer： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Esophageal cancer ranks the seventh and sixth in morbidity and mortality among the malignant tumors， respectively. In traditional Chinese medicine， toxic medicinals are commonly used to enhance the efficacy on esophageal cancer. In recent years， as natural drugs have become the focus of research on anti-tumor drugs， toxic Chinese medicinals have received wide attention. It has been found that a variety of toxic Chinese medicinals have significant anti-esophageal cancer effect. In this study， articles on the treatment of esophageal cancer were retrieved from SinoMed， China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， Wanfang Data， and VIP， and the toxic Chinese medicinals in the articles were summarized. It was found that the toxic Paridis Rhizoma， Gekko， Cremastrae Pseudobulbus Pleiones Pseudobulbus， Scolopendra， Hirudo， Sophorae Tonkinesis Radix et Rhizoma， Scorpio， and Bufonis Corium were mainly used for the treatment of this cancer. They can be classified into the heat-clearing and toxin-removing medicinals， toxin-counteracting medicinals， phlegm-resolving medicinals， and blood-activating and stasis-resolving medicinals. Most of them were pungent （19，52.78%） or bitter （17，47.22%）. The majority had the meridian tropism toward liver （25， 69.44%）， spleen （13， 36.11%）， and lung （12， 33.33%）. According to the research on the above commonly used toxic Chinese medicinals， most of them have anti-tumor effect and some have been reported to have anti-esophageal cancer effect. The mechanism is mainly the inhibition of proliferation. To be specific， they exert the anti-cancer effect by suppressing the proliferation， migration， and differentiation of cancer cells， inducing cell cycle arrest， and activating B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 （Bcl-2）-associated X protein （Bax）/Bcl-2/Caspase signaling pathway to induce apoptosis. In this paper， the commonly used toxic Chinese medicinals for the treatment of esophageal cancer were statistically analyzed， and the mechanisms were summarized， in order to provide a reference for the clinical rational use of toxic Chinese medicinals and the research on the mechanisms for their efficacy.

Meridian Tropism of Components in Bupleuri Radix Based on Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Model and Principal Component Analysis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the meridian tropism of components in Bupleuri Radix （Chaihu， CH） based on the model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH） and clarify the substance basis of the meridian tropism of CH in Xiaoyaosan （XYS） by means of principal component analysis. MethodEighty SPF male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into 8 groups， with 10 mice in each group. Except that the blank group was fed with the methionine choline-sufficient （MCS） diet， the other mice were fed with methionine choline-deficient （MCD） diet for 4 weeks to establish the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH） model. After the established model was confirmed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， the mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage once a day for 4 weeks. Specifically， the 8 groups were XYS group （2.874 g·kg-1）， XYS-CH group （2.445 g·kg-1）， XYS-CH+volatile oils （Vol， 0.163 mg·kg-1） group， XYS-CH+polysaccharides （Pol， 24.067 mg·kg-1） group， XYS-CH+flavones （Fla， 2.241 mg·kg-1） group， and XYS-CH+saponins （Sap， 2.746 mg·kg-1） group. The model group and the blank group were administrated with the same volume of normal saline. After the last administration， the mice were sacrificed for the collection of blood and liver tissue. The pathological changes of liver were observed by HE staining and oil red O staining. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kits were used to determine the levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， high-density lipoprotein （HDL）， and low-density lipoprotein （LDL） in serum as well as malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， catalase （CAT）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in liver. SPSS Statistics 23 was used for principal component analysis and comprehensive evaluation to determine the substance basis of the meridian tropism of CH in NASH mice. ResultCompared with the blank control group， the modeling led to hepatocyte swelling， increased fat vacuoles， and appearance of inflammatory cells. Further， the modeling elevated the levels of ALT， AST， TG， TC， and LDL and lowered the HDL level in serum， and it increased the MDA level and decreased the SOD， CAT， and GSH-Px levels in liver. Compared with the model group， the administration of XYS and XYS-CH in combination with the components of CH alleviated the oxidative damage in liver （P<0.05）. The comprehensive score of the pharmacological efficacy was in a descending order as follows： XYS > XYS-CH+Sap > XYS-CH+Fla > XYS-CH+Pol > XYS-CH+Vol > XYS-CH. Among the chemical components of CH， Sap had the best effect. ConclusionSap lowers the blood lipid level， regulates the abnormal lipid metabolism， and alleviates the oxidative damage of liver， which is the substance basis for CH to exert the meridian tropism in liver.

Exploring the Biochemical Basis of the Meridian Tropism Theory for the Qi-Invigorating Traditional Chinese Medicine Herb Panax ginseng.

We examined the effect of the Qi-invigorating Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) herb Panax ginseng (P.G.) on mitochondrial functions and cellular antioxidant capacity in different organs of mice. We found that the P.G. extracts had a significant effect on tissues of mice, with the generation of total adenylate pool (TAP) enhanced in all visceral tissues, but not for the brain. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and antioxidant capacity reflected by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) increased only for the meridian tissues that P.G. belongs to including Heart, Spleen and Lung. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as a combined result of the increased energy metabolism and antioxidant capacity, varied in different organs. We concluded that: 1) the Qi-invigorating TCM herb P.G. had a significant effect on mice by enhancing TAP production in all of the visceral tissues examined, except for the brain; 2) for the meridional tissues of P.G. (Heart, Spleen and Lung), the P.G. extracts not only promoted the TAP production, but also boosted the antioxidant capacity demonstrated by the simultaneous increase in TAP, and SOD and GSH.

[Acupoints around the neck: a philological analysis and re-recognition on "acupoint-meridian" relationship].

The acupoints around the neck are the essential acupoints, discussed together with the five-shu points in the Chapter Benshu of Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor 's Inner Cannon). In this paper, based on the literature analysis, the special evidence on the arrangement of the Chapter is interpreted in detail so as to display the recognition on the acupoints in Yellow Emperor 's Inner Cannon. In view of the acupoints around the neck, the theory of "acupoint-meridian" relationship is explained. The correlation of acupoints and meridians expressed by ancient scholars is analyzed in the evolution from Tianhui medical bamboo slips to Zhenjiu Jiayijing (The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). It is proposed that the narration of acupoints in terms of "meridian" and "region" should be distinguished from the meridian tropism of acupoints. The importance of "the origin of meridian qi" should be re-identified in the academic history so as to declare the academic value of acupoint arrangement described in Zhenjiu Jiayijing.

[Discussion on the academic system of "theory, method, recipe and degree" in LIU's infantile Chinese massage of the western part of Hunan province].

The theory and technique of LIU's infantile Chinese massage of the western part of Hunan province are reviewed in clinical diagnosis and treatment and the core theoretical system is refined. Based on clinical experiences and in consideration of the analysis on relevant literature, the academic system of LIU's infantile Chinese massage of the western part of Hunan province is summarized as four aspects, named "theory, method, recipe and degree". "Theory" refers to the four diagnostic methods and eight principle in terms of diagnosis and treatment and the therapeutic emphasis on the main disorders of zangfu organs in children. "Method" refers to promotion and restriction of five elements, meridian tropism in treatment. "Recipe" refers to the selection of acupoints, optimization of therapeutic techniques and the key in the composition of the herbs with different roles considered, named monarch herb, minister herb, assistant herb and guiding herb. "Degree" refers to the strength and intensity of manipulation to ensure the optimal effect. All of the aforementioned reviews provide the reference to theoretic study on this Chinese massage school.

Active constituents and mechanisms of Respiratory Detox Shot, a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, for COVID-19 control and prevention: Network-molecular docking-LC-MSE analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Lung-toxin Dispelling Formula No. 1, referred to as Respiratory Detox Shot (RDS), was developed based on a classical prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the theoretical understanding of herbal properties within TCM. Therapeutic benefits of using RDS for both disease control and prevention, in the effort to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), have been shown. However, the biochemically active constituents of RDS and their mechanisms of action are still unclear. The goal of the present study is to clarify the material foundation and action mechanism of RDS. METHODS: To conduct an analysis of RDS, an integrative analytical platform was constructed, including target prediction, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and cluster analysis; further, the hub genes involved in the disease-related pathways were identified, and the their corresponding compounds were used for in vitro validation of molecular docking predictions. The presence of these validated compounds was also measured in samples of the RDS formula to quantify the abundance of the biochemically active constituents. In our network pharmacological study, a total of 26 bioinformatic programs and databases were used, and six networks, covering the entire Zang-fu viscera, were constructed to comprehensively analyze the intricate connections among the compounds-targets-disease pathways-meridians of RDS. RESULTS: For all 1071 known chemical constituents of the nine ingredients in RDS, identified from established TCM databases, 157 passed drug-likeness screening and led to 339 predicted targets in the constituent-target network. Forty-two hub genes with core regulatory effects were extracted from the PPI network, and 134 compounds and 29 crucial disease pathways were implicated in the target-constituent-disease network. Twelve disease pathways attributed to the Lung-Large Intestine meridians, with six and five attributed to the Kidney-Urinary Bladder and Stomach-Spleen meridians, respectively. One-hundred and eighteen candidate constituents showed a high binding affinity with SARS-coronavirus-2 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), as indicated by molecular docking using computational pattern recognition. The in vitro activity of 22 chemical constituents of RDS was validated using the 3CLpro inhibition assay. Finally, using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in data-independent analysis mode, the presence of seven out of these 22 constituents was confirmed and validated in an aqueous decoction of RDS, using reference standards in both non-targeted and targeted approaches. CONCLUSION: RDS acts primarily in the Lung-Large Intestine, Kidney-Urinary Bladder and Stomach-Spleen meridians, with other Zang-fu viscera strategically covered by all nine ingredients. In the context of TCM meridian theory, the multiple components and targets of RDS contribute to RDS's dual effects of health-strengthening and pathogen-eliminating. This results in general therapeutic effects for early COVID-19 control and prevention.

Analysis on Medication Rules of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Based on Clinical Literature / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the medication rules of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).Method:The literature published in China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), VIP Database and PubMeb from 2008 to 2019 were retrieved by setting the topics of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and TCM. After screening, a database was established to analyze the medication rules (efficacy, frequency, flavor and meridian tropism, common couplet medicinals and core medicines) of TCM by frequency statistics, association rules and data statistical methods of constructing complex networks.Result:A total of 461 papers for treatment of DPN were included in this study, including 275 kinds of TCM and a total frequency of 6 361 times. Astragali Radix had the highest frequency. Among all kinds of medicinal materials, activating blood circulation and removing stasis was the most commonly used medicine, followed by Qi-invigorating medicine. Flavor of medicines was mainly sugariness and warm, and most of their meridian tropism was liver meridian. After the analysis by association rules, the couplet medicinals with the highest support was Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix. The core medicines obtained by complex network analysis were Astragali Radix, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Spatholobi Caulis, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Carthami Flos, Pheretima, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Persicae Semen.Conclusion:This study comprehensively analyzes the medication rules of TCM clinical treatment of DPN. The main treatment methods of TCM for DPN are invigorating Qi and blood, activating blood circulation and removing stasis, activating meridians to stop pain, which can provide guidance for the TCM clinical use and new Chinese medicines research and development of DPN.

Active constituents and mechanisms of Respiratory Detox Shot, a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, for COVID-19 control and prevention: Network-molecular docking-LC-MS analysis / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Lung-toxin Dispelling Formula No. 1, referred to as Respiratory Detox Shot (RDS), was developed based on a classical prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the theoretical understanding of herbal properties within TCM. Therapeutic benefits of using RDS for both disease control and prevention, in the effort to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), have been shown. However, the biochemically active constituents of RDS and their mechanisms of action are still unclear. The goal of the present study is to clarify the material foundation and action mechanism of RDS.@*METHODS@#To conduct an analysis of RDS, an integrative analytical platform was constructed, including target prediction, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and cluster analysis; further, the hub genes involved in the disease-related pathways were identified, and the their corresponding compounds were used for in vitro validation of molecular docking predictions. The presence of these validated compounds was also measured in samples of the RDS formula to quantify the abundance of the biochemically active constituents. In our network pharmacological study, a total of 26 bioinformatic programs and databases were used, and six networks, covering the entire Zang-fu viscera, were constructed to comprehensively analyze the intricate connections among the compounds-targets-disease pathways-meridians of RDS.@*RESULTS@#For all 1071 known chemical constituents of the nine ingredients in RDS, identified from established TCM databases, 157 passed drug-likeness screening and led to 339 predicted targets in the constituent-target network. Forty-two hub genes with core regulatory effects were extracted from the PPI network, and 134 compounds and 29 crucial disease pathways were implicated in the target-constituent-disease network. Twelve disease pathways attributed to the Lung-Large Intestine meridians, with six and five attributed to the Kidney-Urinary Bladder and Stomach-Spleen meridians, respectively. One-hundred and eighteen candidate constituents showed a high binding affinity with SARS-coronavirus-2 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL), as indicated by molecular docking using computational pattern recognition. The in vitro activity of 22 chemical constituents of RDS was validated using the 3CL inhibition assay. Finally, using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in data-independent analysis mode, the presence of seven out of these 22 constituents was confirmed and validated in an aqueous decoction of RDS, using reference standards in both non-targeted and targeted approaches.@*CONCLUSION@#RDS acts primarily in the Lung-Large Intestine, Kidney-Urinary Bladder and Stomach-Spleen meridians, with other Zang-fu viscera strategically covered by all nine ingredients. In the context of TCM meridian theory, the multiple components and targets of RDS contribute to RDS's dual effects of health-strengthening and pathogen-eliminating. This results in general therapeutic effects for early COVID-19 control and prevention.

Meridian tropism of Scutellaria baicalensis based on molecular thermodynamic characteristics / 药学学报

The property of medicine is the "identity card" of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the key to crack the theory of property of TCM. Based on molecular thermodynamics, the effects of interaction between TCM and organs in vitro were studied from the perspective of micro-energy release and absorption in order to construct a new idea of characterizing meridian theory. Scutellaria baicalensis, for example, application of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) were used to determine the energy changes during the interaction of Scutellaria baicalensis and its main active ingredient baicalin with brain, heart, lung, spleen and kidney in vitro, comparison including the association constant (Ka) and disassociation constant (Kd), combined with thermodynamic parameters, such as stoichiometry ratio (n), enthalpy change (ΔH), entropy change (ΔS), Gibbs free energy (ΔG), it is found that the interaction intensity between Scutellaria baicalensis and lung is significantly stronger than that of other organs, which is consistent with the theory of the return of Scutellaria baicalensis in ancient books. In addition, baicalin, the main active ingredient, showed the same action pattern as Scutellaria baicalensis. The thermodynamic parameters analysis showed that the action was a weak bond-induced spontaneous chemical binding reaction driven by both entropy and enthalpy. The results of specific curl measurement further proved the interaction between baicalin and lung, and were consistent with the results of ITC titration, indicating that ITC could be used to characterize the meridian tropism of TCM. Therefore, based on ITC, it is scientific and feasible to characterize the meridian of TCM by the energy change of the interaction between the decoction of TCM and its active components and the in vitro tissues respectively. This experiment provides a new idea for the discussion of meridian of TCM.

Discussion on the academic system of "theory, method, recipe and degree" in s infantile Chinese massage of the western part of Hunan province / 中国针灸

The theory and technique of s infantile Chinese massage of the western part of Hunan province are reviewed in clinical diagnosis and treatment and the core theoretical system is refined. Based on clinical experiences and in consideration of the analysis on relevant literature, the academic system of s infantile Chinese massage of the western part of Hunan province is summarized as four aspects, named "theory, method, recipe and degree". "Theory" refers to the four diagnostic methods and eight principle in terms of diagnosis and treatment and the therapeutic emphasis on the main disorders of organs in children. "Method" refers to promotion and restriction of five elements, meridian tropism in treatment. "Recipe" refers to the selection of acupoints, optimization of therapeutic techniques and the key in the composition of the herbs with different roles considered, named monarch herb, minister herb, assistant herb and guiding herb. "Degree" refers to the strength and intensity of manipulation to ensure the optimal effect. All of the aforementioned reviews provide the reference to theoretic study on this Chinese massage school.

[Could Huatuo Jiaji (EX-B 2) Acupoint Be Assigned to the Governor Vessel ?]

The meridian tropism of acupoints is an important academic way to recognize and deal with the relationship between acupoints and meridians in acupuncture medicine. The Huatuo Jiaji (EX-B 2) (Jiaji for short) acupoint family consisting of 34 points has long been considered to be an important extra-acupoint since the ancient times of China and is widely employed in clinical practice through continuous development in Chinese past generations. The present paper introduces 1) historical origin and development of EX-B 2, and 2) intercorrelation among the EX-B 2, spine and the Governor Vessel in anatomical positions. On the basis of these, we also discuss the possibility of that EX-B 2 is assigned to the Governor Vessel, its academic significance including common features and actions in physiological and pathological aspects and clinical significance in diagnosis and treatment of disorders.

[Flavor and meridian tropism classification analysis of Callianthemum taipaicum].

To explore the flavor and meridian tropism classification of Callianthemum taipaicum by principal components analysis(PCA) and partial least square analysis(PLS). Meanwhile,to establish a high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-ESI-MS) method for the simultaneous determination of 55 active components from 13 kinds of Ranunculaceae of Chinese traditional herbs. Samples were separated on HPLC system by Agilent 5 TC-C18（2）（4.6 mm×250 mm，5 µm）column and eluted with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid at the flow rate of 0.6 mL·min⁻¹. The data were performed by HPLC-ESI-MS with multiple reaction monitoring（MRM）scanning mode under positive and negative ion modes and quantified by external standards. The data from 13 Ranunculaceae herbs were analyzed by the PLS-tree and cooman's prediction of PCA and PLS to evaluate the similarities and differences of C. taipaicum in flavor and meridian tropism. The results showed that calibration curves of 55 components all showed good linearity, r>0.99,with good precision, repeatability and stability. After compared to other 12 herbs,PCA and PLS results revealed that the C. taipaicum belonged to lung and bladder meridians while its flavor attributive to pungent,warm in nature. In conclusion,the analysis approach of chemometric calculation combined with multi-components quantification is suitable for the classification of meridian tropism and flavor of Chinese traditional medicine,which can be used for alternative research of rare herbs.

Relationship between Tissue Distributions of Modified Wuzi Yanzong Prescription () in Rats and Meridian Tropism Theory.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between tissue distributions of modified Wuzi Yanzong prescription (, MWP) in rats and meridian tropism theory. METHODS: A high-performance liquid chromatography with Fourier transform-mass spectrometry (HPLC-FT) method was used to identify the metabolites of MWP in different tissues of rats after continued oral administration of MWP for 7 days. The relationship between MWP and meridian tropism theory was studied according to the tissue distributions of the metabolites of MWP in rats and the relevant literature. RESULTS: Nineteen metabolites, mainly flavanoid compounds, were detected in the different rat tissues and classified to each herb in MWP. Further, it was able to establish that the tissue distributions of the metabolites of MWP were consistent with the descriptions of meridian tropism of MWP available in literature, this result might be useful in clarifying the mechanism of MWP on meridian tropism. In the long run, these data might provide scientific evidence of the meridian tropism theory to further promote the reasonable, effective utilization, and modernization of Chinese medicine. CONCLUSION: The tissue distributions of MWP in vivo were consistent with the descriptions of meridian tropism of MWP.

Flavor and meridian tropism classification analysis of Callianthemum taipaicum / 中国中药杂志

To explore the flavor and meridian tropism classification of Callianthemum taipaicum by principal components analysis(PCA) and partial least square analysis(PLS). Meanwhile,to establish a high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-ESI-MS) method for the simultaneous determination of 55 active components from 13 kinds of Ranunculaceae of Chinese traditional herbs. Samples were separated on HPLC system by Agilent 5 TC-C₁₈（2）（4.6 mm×250 mm，5 μm）column and eluted with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid at the flow rate of 0.6 mL·min⁻¹. The data were performed by HPLC-ESI-MS with multiple reaction monitoring（MRM）scanning mode under positive and negative ion modes and quantified by external standards. The data from 13 Ranunculaceae herbs were analyzed by the PLS-tree and cooman's prediction of PCA and PLS to evaluate the similarities and differences of C. taipaicum in flavor and meridian tropism. The results showed that calibration curves of 55 components all showed good linearity, >0.99,with good precision, repeatability and stability. After compared to other 12 herbs,PCA and PLS results revealed that the C. taipaicum belonged to lung and bladder meridians while its flavor attributive to pungent,warm in nature. In conclusion,the analysis approach of chemometric calculation combined with multi-components quantification is suitable for the classification of meridian tropism and flavor of Chinese traditional medicine,which can be used for alternative research of rare herbs.

Could Huatuo Jiaji (EX-B 2) Acupoint Be Assigned to the Governor Vessel ? / 针刺研究

The meridian tropism of acupoints is an important academic way to recognize and deal with the relationship between acupoints and meridians in acupuncture medicine. The Huatuo Jiaji (EX-B 2) (Jiaji for short) acupoint family consisting of 34 points has long been considered to be an important extra-acupoint since the ancient times of China and is widely employed in clinical practice through continuous development in Chinese past generations. The present paper introduces 1) historical origin and development of EX-B 2, and 2) intercorrelation among the EX-B 2, spine and the Governor Vessel in anatomical positions. On the basis of these, we also discuss the possibility of that EX-B 2 is assigned to the Governor Vessel, its academic significance including common features and actions in physiological and pathological aspects and clinical significance in diagnosis and treatment of disorders.

Study on meridian tropism of Evodiae Fructus based on receptors of its secondary metabolites using system biological method / 中草药

Objective Using meridian tropism of Evodiae Fructus as an example, a new method was built based on system biological method to study the tropism of Chinese herbal medicine from the view of secondary metabolites acting with protein receptors. Methods After establishing the complex secondary metabolites compounds-receptors network of Evodiae Fructus, the receptors connecting with at least five compounds were selected. These functions and tissue distribution of receptors were compared with the traditional efficacy and meridian viscera and organs of Evodiae Fructus. Results A total of 34 receptors of secondary metabolites of Evodiae Fructus were acquired. Their functions and distributions were consistent highly with the traditional efficacy and meridian tropism of Evodiae Fructus locating anatomical organs and tissues. Conclusion This original innovation method clearly elucidated the modern scientific material basis and mechanism of the meridian tropism of Chinese herbal medicine from the aspect of component action receptor. Also it will be of important reference value for the study of promoting meridian tropism.

Relationship between Tissue Distributions of Modified Wuzi Yanzong Prescription () in Rats and Meridian Tropism Theory / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between tissue distributions of modified Wuzi Yanzong prescription (, MWP) in rats and meridian tropism theory.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A high-performance liquid chromatography with Fourier transform-mass spectrometry (HPLC-FT) method was used to identify the metabolites of MWP in different tissues of rats after continued oral administration of MWP for 7 days. The relationship between MWP and meridian tropism theory was studied according to the tissue distributions of the metabolites of MWP in rats and the relevant literature.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nineteen metabolites, mainly flavanoid compounds, were detected in the different rat tissues and classified to each herb in MWP. Further, it was able to establish that the tissue distributions of the metabolites of MWP were consistent with the descriptions of meridian tropism of MWP available in literature, this result might be useful in clarifying the mechanism of MWP on meridian tropism. In the long run, these data might provide scientific evidence of the meridian tropism theory to further promote the reasonable, effective utilization, and modernization of Chinese medicine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The tissue distributions of MWP in vivo were consistent with the descriptions of meridian tropism of MWP.</p>