Differentiation and treatment strategies for ulcerative colitis based on the

Lingfei MENG; Chaolun ZHU; Zixu ZHAO; Ranran SONG; Yifan WANG; Congling FAN; Liuyue MI; Shuangxi zhang

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Differentiation and treatment strategies for ulcerative colitis based on the"midnight-noon and ebb-flow" theory

VernacularTitle:基于“子午流注”理论辨治溃疡性结肠炎
Author: Lingfei MENG ¹ ; Chaolun ZHU ¹ ; Zixu ZHAO ¹ ; Ranran SONG ¹ ; Yifan WANG ¹ ; Congling FAN ¹ ; Liuyue MI ² ; Shuangxi zhang ³
Author Information

1. Department of Anorectal Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine;The First Clinical Medical College of Henan University of Chinese Medicine
2. The Third People Hospital of Henan Province
3. Department of Anorectal Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: ulcerative colitis; midnight-noon and ebb-flow; chronomedicine; qi and blood
From: Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;49(1):16-23
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease. Modern research indicates that immune dysregulation resulting from disruptions in circadian rhythm is closely associated with its pathogenesis. Both Western chronomedicine and traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）" treatment based on temporal factors" emphasize the temporal relationship between natural rhythms and human physiology and pathology. The " midnight-noon and ebb-flow " theory represents the concrete application and deepening of TCM " treatment based on temporal factors" within the realm of chronomedicine. This article correlates the onset time of ulcerative colitis with specific periods in the " midnight-noon and ebb-flow"theory：the Mao period（05：00-07：00），when the yangming large intestine meridian of hand is dominant； the Si period（09：00-11：00），when the taiyin spleen meridian of foot is dominant； and the You period（17：00-19：00），when the shaoyin kidney meridian of foot is dominant. According to this perspective，if the disease manifests during the Mao period，the pathogenesis is attributed to dampnessheat accumulation and disorder of qi and blood. Treatment should focus on clearing heat，resolving dampness，and harmonizing qi and blood，using modified formulas such as Shaoyao Decoction or Baitouweng Decoction. If it occurs during the Si period，the pathogenesis involves spleen deficiency with dampness obstruction and disharmony of qi and blood. Treatment should focus on strengthening the spleen，eliminating dampness，and restoring qi and blood，using modified formulas such as Huangya Decoction or Shenling Baizhu Powder. If it presents during the You period，the pathogenesis is characterized by fire failing to warm earth，and consumption resulting in qi and blood leakage. Treatment should focus on warming the kidney and spleen，and securing qi and blood，using modified formulas such as Sishen Pill or Tianhun Decoction. In addition to oral administration of Chinese herbal medicine，comprehensive therapies including acupuncture，herbal enemas，and acupoint application can provide novel insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of ulcerative colitis.