[Species of Chinese materia medica resources based on the fourth national survey of Chinese materia medica resources].

This article outlined the composition and species characteristics of Chinese materia medica(CMM) resources identified in the fourth national survey of CMM resources. The survey was conducted based on field investigations and office collation, adhering to the "four principles", which emphasized the existence of survey records, voucher specimens, actual photographs, and evidence of medicinal use, so as to summarize the species of CMM resources and ensure the scientific integrity and accuracy of the results. According to the results, China had a total of 18 817 CMM resources, including 15 321 medicinal plants, 826 medicinal fungi, 2 517 medicinal animals, and 153 medicinal minerals. Additionally, the fourth national survey of CMM resources also conducted specialized investigations on 3 151 species of unique medicinal plants, 464 species of rare and endangered medicinal plants, and 196 new species in China. These latest statistics on these CMM resources will provide the most up-to-date foundational data for the protection, management, development, and utilization of these resources over an extended period, offering scientific guidance for the development of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) industry.

The Gut Microbial Co-Abundance Gene Groups (CAGs) Differentially Respond to the Flavor (Yao-Wei) of Chinese Materia Medica.

The property theory is a unique principle instructing traditional Chinese doctors to prescribe proper medicines against diseases. As an essential part of it, the five-flavor theory catalogs various Chinese materia medicas (CMMs) into five flavors (sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and pungent) based on their taste and medical functions. Although CMM has been successfully applied in China for thousands of years, it is still a big challenge to interpret CMM flavor via modern biomarkers, further deepening its elusiveness. Herein, to identify the correlation between gut microbiota and CMM flavor, we selected 14 CMMs with different flavors to prepare their aqueous extracts, quantified the contained major chemical components, and then performed full-length 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze the gut microbiota of C57BL/6 mice administrated with CMM extracts. We found that flavones, alkaloids, and saponins were the richest components for sweet-, bitter-, and pungent-flavored CMMs, respectively. Medicines with merged flavors (bitter-pungent and sweet-pungent) displayed mixed profiles of components. According to gut microbial analysis, modulation of CMMs belonging to the same flavor on the taxonomic classification was inconsistent to an extent, while the functional sets of gut microbiota, co-abundance gene groups (CAGs), strongly and differentially responded to distinct flavors. Moreover, these correlations were in line with their pharmacological actions. Therefore, the gut microbial functional sets (CAGs) could act as the possible indicator to reflect CMM flavor, rather than the composition of microbial community.

[Current status and development strategy of ISO/TC 249 standards for Chinese materia medica].

The internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is one of the strategic development objectives in China, which has been incorporated into the national strategy as an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative development strategy. As the basis and prerequisite of TCM development, Chinese materia medica(CMM) has a direct impact on the internationalization of TCM. The International Organization for Standardization(ISO) is a global organization composed of national standardization bodies, and the ISO standards impact the world's economy, trade, communication and cooperation. Based on a brief introduction to ISO/Traditional Chinese Medicine Technical Committee(ISO/TC 249), this study elaborates the necessity of establishing ISO standards for CMM and analyzes the current status and challenges faced by the formulation of international standards for CMM. Finally, this study puts forward the development strategy of international standards for CMM. Specifically, efforts should be made to develop top-level design with international market demands as the guidance and improve the quality of standards to accelerate the transformation of domestic high-quality standards into international standards. Moreover, measures should be taken to give full play to the positive role of enterprises in the formulation of standards, vigorously cultivate compound talents for international standardization of TCM, and constantly strengthen international cooperation. The experience and thinking are of guiding significance for the scientific, efficient and reasonable formulation of high-quality ISO standards for CMM in the future.

The Diagnosis and Management of Allergic Reactions Caused by Chinese Materia Medica.

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) have been used in China for thousands of years. Although TCM has been generally perceived to be safe, adverse reactions to Chinese materia medica (CMM) have been reported. Most of the adverse reactions are allergic in nature, but other mechanisms may play a role. This review focuses on the mechanism and clinical presentation of these allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can occur as a result of the active and inactive ingredients of CMM. Impurities and chemicals generated during the production process can also lead to allergic or adverse reactions. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light can cause changes in the allergenicity of drugs. Human error in formulating CMM drugs also contributes to adverse drug reactions. The management of allergic reactions to CMM includes taking a good history, avoidance of medications in the same class as those which caused prior reactions, the proper training of staff, adherence to manufacturer guidelines and expiration dates, evaluation of benefit and risk balance, and the formulation of a risk management strategy for the use of CMM. A small test dose of a considered drug before using, improvements in drug purification technology, and proper storage and clinical administration help reduce allergic reactions due to CMM.

The treatment of asthma using the Chinese Materia Medica.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Asthma is a costly global health problem that negatively influences the quality of life of patients. The Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) contains remedies that have been used for the treatment of asthma for millennia. This article strives to systematically summarize the current research progress so that more comprehensive examinations of various databases related to CMM anti-asthma drugs, can be performed, so as to sequentially provide effective basic data for development and application of anti-asthma drugs based on the CMM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research data published over the past 20 years for asthma treatment based on traditional CMM remedies were retrieved and collected from libraries and online databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, Spring Link, Web of Science, PubChem Compound, Wan Fang, CNKI, Baidu, and Google Scholar). Information was also added from classic CMM, literature, conference papers on classic herbal formulae, and dissertations (PhD or Masters) based on traditional Chinese medicine. RESULTS: This review systematically summarizes the experimental studies on the treatment of asthma with CMM, covering the effective chemical components, typical asthma models, important mechanisms and traditional anti-asthma CMM formulae. The therapy value of the CMM for anti-asthma is clarified, and the original data and theoretical research foundation are provided for the development of new anti-asthmatic data and research for the CMM. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial progress against asthma has been made through relevant experimental research based on the CMM. These advances improved the theoretical basis of anti-asthma drugs for CMM and provided a theoretical basis for the application of a asthma treatment that is unique. By compiling these data, it is expected that the CMM will now contain a clearer mechanism of action and a greater amount of practical data that can be used for future anti-asthma drug research.

Recent research progress in key technologies of Chinese materia medica manufacturing process quality control / 中草药

The development of Chinese materia medica (CMM) has risen to the level of national strategy. Under the new situation that the pharmaceutical industry implements the "Made in China 2025" strategy, quality control of the production process of CMM is one of the key areas in which the CMM industry needs to accelerate its breakthrough. The key common issues in process design, analysis and detection, process modeling, and manufacturing equipment and other aspects in the field of quality control of CMM production processes was analyzed in the paper. The progress in the three aspects of process understanding, real-time analysis method development and process control strategy establishment in the quality control system of CMM production process was reviewed. Combined with the author's corporate research practices, this paper introduces the application progress of key technologies such as quality by design (QbD), process analytical technology (PAT), experimental design (DOE), and multivariate statistical analysis in the above three research directions, and analyzes the difficulties problems in practical industrial application. The application prospect is prospected. The purpose of this article is to provide reference for CMM enterprises to apply and improve the quality control technology in the production process.

Characteristics and application of immune-regulating and antiviral Chinese materia medica / 中草药

Recently, the epidemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) in China and other countries in the world is serious. There are at present no effective treatments for COVID-19. The safety and effectiveness of western anti-coronavirus drugs are under investigation. In many places in China, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat COVID-19 with a high clinical cure rate. The treatment economics of TCM is good. The immune-regulating and antiviral TCM can enhance human immunity and exert an antiviral effect. They have been widely used in the anti-COVID-19 treatment. We consulted the database of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and PubMed for screening the immune-regulating and antiviral TCMs (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Pogostemonis Herba, Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Scutellariae Radix, Forsythiae Fructus, Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, Bupleuri Radix, Isatidis Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, and Houttuyniae Herba). This article summarizes the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics, and the clinical application of the effective components of immune-regulating and antiviral TCM in the prescriptions and Chinese patent medicines, in order to provide a better reference for the clinical application of TCM.

Medication rule of Chinese materia medica in treatment of pulmonary fibrosis based on data mining / 中草药

To explore the medication rule of Chinese materia medica (CMM) in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, and provide reference for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis in the novel coronavirus pneumonia. Using Excel 2013 and SPSS Statistics 23.0, the literatures with the theme of “pulmonary fibrosis” that met the screening criteria were searched, and the association rule analysis was carried out. Frequency analysis showed that the occurrence frequency of Astragali Radix (148, 45.82%), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (124, 38.39%) and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (102, 31.58%) was the highest in the clinical treatment literature. In the statistics of nature and flavor, warm (10 times, 50.00%) and neutral (six times, 30.00%) were the most common. The highest frequency of meridian tropism was found in the spleen (11 times, 25.58%), lung (10 times, 23.26%) and sweet (11 times, 36.67%). In the analysis of association rules, six groups of TCM combinations with high frequency correlation strength were obtained. The high frequency and high correlation CMM combinations obtained from this data analysis were mainly effective in strengthening the spleen and invigorating qi, and warming the spleen and lung, which can be used to prevent the early patients from developing to the critical stage and prevent the patients from reinfection due to low immunity in the convalescence stage.

Thoughts on quality standard establishment of Chinese materia medica of reference Chinese herbal pieces and traditional Chinese medicinal materials for characters identification / 中草药

The identification of Chinese materia medica (CMM) characters, an important part of the quality standard of CMM, is one of the overall quality indicators of CMM. It is an old technical problem facing the inheritance and innovation of experience identification of Chinese medicine industry. However, the regulation of CMM characters recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and other local drug standards and processing specifications are still staying at words description, relying on human sensory judgment, so the operability needs to be improved. This paper puts forward the proposal to establish a quality standard for CMM identification for the use of reference herbal pieces and Chinese medicinal herb for the identification of characters, and provides basic support for the objective digital research of CMM characters identification, which is helpful to improve the quality evaluation of CMM.

Research ideas and progress on screening and identification of pharmacodynamic substance of Chinese materia medica / 中草药

Study on the pharmacodynamic material basis of Chinese materia medica (CMM) is the key and difficult points of CMM research due to its complicated components and synergistic effect of multiple pathways and multiple targets in pharmacological action. Currently, research ideas and research methods of the pharmacodynamic material basis of CMM are being constantly innovated. In this review, research ideas and progress on screening and identification of pharmacodynamic substance of CMM were summarized. It suggested that the research model of interdisciplinarity, multi-dimensional screening and evaluation should be established, in order to provide references for further and comprehensively revealing the mechanism of action of CMM and the law of compatibility, and establishing quality evaluation system of CMM.

Intervention of Chinese materia medica in angiogenesis of zebrafish / 中草药

Angiogenesis involves the occurrence and development of serious diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and malignant tumors. Promoting or inhibiting angiogenesis is considered to be a key factor in controlling the progression of the disease. Chinese materia medica (CMM) has become a research hotspot because of its good clinical therapeutic effect and significant intervention on angiogenesis. The zebrafish model as an ideal animal model also provides a good experimental basis for the study of angiogenesis. CMM monomers, extracts, prescriptions and Chinese patent medicine, and other forms of intervention were selected as the research object. Based on zebrafish animal model experiments, we summarize domestic and foreign relevant research and review the research progress of the effect of CMM on angiogenesis in zebrafish, aiming to provide reference for further development and application of zebrafish as a model and further study of CMM intervention in angiogenesis.

Research approaches of quality marker (Q-marker) of Chinese materia medica formula based on “five principles” / 中草药

Q-marker of Chinese materia medica (CMM) is a latest proposed core concept of CMM quality evaluation and quality control. A wide range of relevant researches on the Q-marker have been carried out by science and technology workers since the concept was put forward. However, to date, most studies are still limited to Q-marker studies of single herbs and pieces and cannot fully reflect all the elements of the concept of Q-marker. In this paper, the scientific connotation of five elements and the principles, ideas and approaches for the discovery and determination of CMM Q-marker were systemically discussed from the perspectives of quality transmissibility and traceability, ingredient specificity, component validity, component measurability, and formula compatibility environment. Moreover, research approaches of Q-marker of CMM formula based on “five principles” were proposed. The examples of representative researches provide a systematic research idea and reference for the research and discovery of CMM Q-marker.

An empirical study on growth evaluation of 16 Chinese materia medica listed companies based on factor analysis / 中草药

Eight financial indicators of 16 listed companies of Chinese materia medica (CMM) in 2014 were selected by factor analysis method. A comprehensive growth evaluation system was established, so as to make an empirical research on growth evaluation among 16 CMM listed companies. Results show: Sixteen CMM listed companies' scale and growth differences among the companies is significant, and overall growth performance should be improved. On the aspect of scale ability, profitability, and growth ability, Jilin Aodong Medicine Industry Group Co., Ltd. (score 29.492), Guangzhou Baiyun Mountain Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (Baiyun Mountain) (score 31.809), Dongbao Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (score 42.110) separately ranked first. The best growth is Baiyun Mountain (score 31.089), and the worst is Taiji Group Co., Ltd. (score -7.053). Some suggestions should be put forward: Increase research and investment, enhance innovation, improve the management ability of CMM listed companies; Strengthen the integration of advantageous resources and optimize the structure of products, realizing the scaled and sustained development of CMM listed companies; Establish brand awareness and strengthen internal management, so as to enhance the market competitiveness of CMM listed companies, etc.

Research on technical innovation efficiency in Chinese medicine manufacturing under structural reform of supply-side / 中草药

In this study, medicine manufacturing technology innovation efficiency measures analyze and improve the competitiveness of the industry. The innovation rate of Chinese materia medica (CMM) manufacturing technology in Jiangsu Province (2009-2014) was analyzed according to statical panel data and dynamic given years by data envelopment analysis (DEA) and Malmquist index method. Chinese manufacturing innovation has overall higher efficiency of Jiangsu province, and Chinese medicine efficiency of technological innovation in manufacturing is higher than that of Chinese herbal pieces manufacturing. The proprietary manufacturing technology innovation inputs and outputs on the overall operation is relatively active; During six years, medicine manufacturing technology innovation efficiency in Jiangsu province has a certain magnitude of negative growth (-3.1%), efficiency of technological innovation presents zigzag upward trend; Medicine manufacturing technology innovation efficiency, Jiangsu Province, there are regional differences among cities. Through increased investment and innovation to achieve efficient use of resources, optimize the industrial structure and improve relevant policies, we can effectively improve the efficiency of technological innovation of Chinese manufacturing.

Meta-analysis of effectiveness of Chinese materia medica as adjuvant therapy of antibacterial for pediatric mesenteric lymphadenitis / 药物评价研究

Objective To assess the effectiveness of Chinese materia medica (CMM) as adjuvant therapy of antibacterial for pediatric mesenteric lymphadenitis.Methods Retrieved RCT research of CMM as adjuvant therapy of antibacterial for pediatric mesenteric lymphadenitis from CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,PubMed,and Medline database from 1980 to 2016.Literatures were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion crteria,Jadad scores method was used to evaluate the literatures and meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3.Results A total of 34 randomized controlled trials were included.Meta-analysis showed that the trial group was superior to the control group in terms of efficiency,cure rate,remission time of main symptoms,mesenteric lymph node recovery,and recurrence rate,there was statistical difference.Conclusions CMM as adjuvant therapy of antibacterial for pediatric mesenteric lymphadenitis is more effective than the use of antibacterial alone.

The Integration of Chinese Material Medica into the Chinese Health Care Delivery System, an Update.

Integration of Traditional Chinese medicine, including Chinese materia medica (CMM), into the national healthcare delivery system, is now an essential national policy in China and is increasing rapidly. This case study summarizes the profile of integration of CMM in China, describing markets, industries, management mechanisms, education, research and development, human resources and international cooperation related to Traditional Chinese medicine, and CMM in particular. It provides a basis for policies for integrating TM into national healthcare systems to save costs and improve the general health of the population. By the end of 2014, the overall sale value of CMM exceeded $US120bn, representing 31% of the total pharmaceutical industry markets in China. More than 200 CMM formulated drugs and 1100 prepared CMM are now on the national 'Essential Drug List' and the financial budget for CMM from the Chinese government in 2014 was approximately $US4.66bn, almost double that of 2011, indicating an increasing and long-term commitment to integrated medicine in China.

Characteristics and practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine retail shops in London, UK: A cross-sectional study using an observational approach.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a popular form of ethnomedicine in the UK, and is accessed by Western, Chinese and other ethnic groups. The current regulatory regime does not effectively protect the public against poor-quality and unsafe TCMs. Understanding ethnopharmacological information on how TCM is promoted and practiced may help to inform initiatives aimed at ensuring the safe use of TCMs in the UK, and put laboratory-based ethnopharmacological investigations of TCMs in a broader context. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to examine the characteristics and practices of TCM retail outlets in London, UK, and to identify factors relevant to the safe use of TCM in the UK. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TCM retail outlets ('shops') in London, UK, were identified using a systematic approach. A structured questionnaire including questions on shop business type was used to recruit participant shops. Shops consenting to participate were visited within six weeks of providing consent. A piloted semi-structured questionnaire on shop characteristics was used for data collection following observation. The British National Formulary 53 was used to classify medical conditions/uses for TCMs promoted in the shops. Data were stored and analysed using MS Access 2003, MS Excel 2003 and SPSS 13. RESULTS: In total, 54 TCM shops in London were identified, of which 94% offered TCM consultations with a TCM practitioner. Detailed characteristics were described within 35/50 shops that gave consent to observing their premises. Most shops labelled and displayed over 150 Chinese Materia Medica (CMMs; crude materials, particularly herbs) for dispensing after consultations with a TCM practitioner. Medical conditions/uses and Patent Chinese Medicines (PCMs) were commonly promoted. In total, 794 occurrences of 205 different medical conditions/uses (median=32, QL=19, QU=48) were identified. These conditions/uses most commonly related to the following therapeutic systems: central nervous system (160/794, 20.2%); musculoskeletal and joint disease (133/794, 16.8%); obstetrics, gynaecology, and urinary-tract disorders (122/794, 15.4%); skin (102/794, 12.9%); gastrointestinal system (62/794, 7.8%). Specific conditions/uses that were frequently promoted included eczema (19/23 shops, 82.6%), arthritis (18/23, 78.3%), acne (17/23, 73.9%), obesity/weight loss/slimming (17/23, 73.9%) and psoriasis (17/23, 73.9%). Claimed conditions/uses included some serious medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, cancer and hypertension) and those focusing on vulnerable groups (e.g. children's diseases and pregnancy treatments). CONCLUSIONS: TCM shops in London, UK, typically displayed names of a wide range of medical conditions/uses for TCMs using readily understandable medical terms, implying TCM can be used to prevent or treat these conditions. However, many of these advertisements did not comply with UK regulations on medical claims for herbal medicines. Future studies should explore how these advertisements influence consumers' decisions to access TCM in the UK, practices of TCM shop staff towards the supply of TCMs in the UK, and what are the health implications at the individual and population levels.

Methodology on revaluation of syndrome therapeutic effect of post-marketing Chinese materia medica / 中草药

Revaluation of syndrome therapeutic effect of post-marketing Chinese materia medica (CMM) is a necessary complement to pre-ipo syndrome therapeutic effect evaluation. With the transition of research stage and research target, the evaluation method needs a breakthrough and innovation. So considering the academic characteristics of syndrome theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), concerning the key link in the process of design and implementation in syndrome curative effect evaluation, and analyzing the common problems in syndrome curative effect evaluation are the urgent needs to change the current syndrome curative effect evaluation. Through analyzing the type and level of efficacy evaluation in TCM and interpreting the current situation and demand of syndrome therapeutic effect revaluation for post-marketing CMM, here this paper tried to put forward the research of revaluation of syndrome therapeutic effect for post-marketing CMM, which involved in research of symptoms unit, expression of specification symptoms, and symptoms of selection and optimization. Then drawing lessons from study design with effective registration and combining the concept of causality research could list some inspiration for how to establish the syndrome therapeutic effect revaluation for post-marketing CMM.

The classification and application of toxic Chinese materia medica.

Many important drugs in the Chinese materia medica (CMM) are known to be toxic, and it has long been recognized in classical Chinese medical theory that toxicity can arise directly from the components of a single CMM or may be induced by an interaction between combined CMM. Traditional Chinese Medicine presents a unique set of pharmaceutical theories that include particular methods for processing, combining and decocting, and these techniques contribute to reducing toxicity as well as enhancing efficacy. The current classification of toxic CMM drugs, traditional methods for processing toxic CMM and the prohibited use of certain combinations, is based on traditional experience and ancient texts and monographs, but accumulating evidence increasingly supports their use to eliminate or reduce toxicity. Modern methods are now being used to evaluate the safety of CMM; however, a new system for describing the toxicity of Chinese herbal medicines may need to be established to take into account those herbs whose toxicity is delayed or otherwise hidden, and which have not been incorporated into the traditional classification. This review explains the existing classification and justifies it where appropriate, using experimental results often originally published in Chinese and previously not available outside China.

Recent Progress of Research on Herbal Products Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine: the Herbs belonging to The Divine Husbandman's Herbal Foundation Canon ( Shén Nóng Ben Cǎo Jing).

This article will review selected herbal products from Chinese Materia Medica that are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The herbs come from the upper, middle, and lower class medicines as listed in The Divine Husbandman's Herbal Foundation Canon ( Shén Nóng Ben Cǎo Jing). The review will focus on the active constituents of the herbs and their bioactivities, with emphasis on the most recent progress in research for the period of 2003 to 2011.