1.Key Issues and Research Ideas of Traditional Chinese Medicine Anti-aging Guided by Essence-Qi-spirit Theory of Qiluo Doctrine
Peipei JIN ; Liping CHANG ; Cong WEI ; Mengnan LI ; Hui QI ; Hongrong LI ; Yunlong HOU ; Zhenhua JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):240-246
Aging has emerged as a cutting edge and hotspot in global life science field, with anti-aging and geriatric disease prevention and treatment becoming critical issues urgently demanding solutions in international medical communities. In the face of the challenge of accelerating global population aging, in-depth exploration of aging mechanisms and the development of effective intervention strategies hold significant scientific and clinical value. This study supported by the national key research and development program of China, employed the essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine as its guiding framework, focusing on the key scientific issue of the core traditional Chinese pathogenesis of aging, namely "depletion of kidney essence, deficiency of primordial Qi, and impairment of body and spirit". The treatment principle of "tonifying the kidney to replenish essence, harmonizing Yin and Yang, warming and invigorating primordial Qi, and nourishing the body and spirit" was established. Centered on holistic aging, systemic aging, and aging-related diseases, the research integrated multidisciplinary research approaches to construct multi-modal aging models and a multi-dimensional evaluation system, and it utilized multi-omics technologies to deeply analyze aging mechanisms. By systematically reviewing historical kidney-tonifying and anti-aging formulas and combining big data with artificial intelligence technologies, an information database of anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine substance was developed to reveal the differences and synergistic effects of various treatment methods and formulas on anti-aging. Based on this treatment method, the research integrated two millennia of kidney-tonifying medicinal experience to develop the innovative anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine, namely Bazhi Bushen capsules. It was validated that this capsule can delay holistic and systemic aging through multiple targets and mechanisms, thereby elucidating the scientific connotation of the essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine in guiding anti-aging research from multiple dimensions and providing robust support for leveraging the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine to occupy the commanding heights of international anti-aging research.
2.Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Patterns in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Guided by the Theory of Lung Collateral Disease
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):736-740
This paper explores the transmission patterns of "qi collaterals-qi airways-blood (vessels) collaterals" in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on the syndrome differentiation and treatment theory of lung collateral disease. Lung qi collaterals carry original qi, pectoral qi and defensive qi, primarily responsible for regulation and nourishment. The lung's airway serves as the pathway for the ascending and descending of qi. The lung's blood (vessel) collaterals circulate ying (营)-blood to nourish and infiltrate. Those three work synergistically to complete the core function of the lung, including governing qi, controlling respiration, and facilitating "qi exchange and blood transformation", with their functions converging in the "minute collateral-sweat pores". The occurrence and development of COPD follow the transmission pattern of "qi collaterals-qi airways-blood (vessels) collaterals". Initially, the condition is rooted in qi stagnation caused by deficiency (pectoral qi deficiency and sink), which leads to airway obstruction and difficulty in ventilation. Ultimately, disorder of qi affects the function of blood, resulting in a state of vessel collaterals obstruction characterized as "phlegm complicated by blood stasis hindering qi causes disease" .
3.Theoretical Exploration of Diabetic Retinopathy Guided by Luobing Theory
Liping CHANG ; Jing MA ; Kun MA ; Zhenhua JIA ; Cong WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):253-258
Diabetic retinopathy(DR), as one of the most common and serious microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, seriously threatens human health, and belongs to "Xiaoke eye diseases" in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), which has been richly experienced by medical practitioners through the ages, but is mostly recorded in a piecemeal manner and has not been systematically researched. This disease is featured by long course and repeated attack, and is refractory, which belongs to the research category of "persistent illness entering collaterals". Systematic establishment of TCM collateral disease theory for guiding prevention and treatment of DR has important clinical value. On the basis of close correlation between tertiary collaterals at the terminal of collaterals and capillaries and microcirculation, the concept of "tertiary collaterals-microvascular" is proposed. It is pointed out that DR falls within the scope of "tertiary collaterals-microvascular" diseases, and presents four types of micro-pathological characteristics, including stasis, insufficiency, growth and bleeding of tertiary collaterals. It is concluded that "deficiency of both Qi and Yin" is the basic pathogenesis of DR, and "blood stasis and collateral obstruction" is the important pathogenesis and key factor. Thus, the treatment method of "dispersing blood stasis, dredging collateral, tonifying Qi and Yin, stopping hemorrhage and improving eyesight" is determined, and the formula of Tongluo Mingmu capsules is developed. The article tightly focuses on the pathological changes such as stasis, growth, insufficiency and bleeding of collaterals, addresses both symptoms and root causes, and plays a synergistic role of both dispersing stasis and stopping bleeding. In this way, it can realize the purpose of tonifying Qi and Yin to replenish the essence, dispersing stasis and dredging collaterals to meet the requirement, as well as stopping hemorrhage and improving eyesight to deal with changes. Fundamental researches demonstrate that Tongluo Mingmu capsules has synergy effects of protecting both retinal capillaries and retinal cells. Phase-Ⅲ clinical trial of new drug has proven definite clinical efficacy and good safety, which provides a new drug choice for enhancing clinical effect of DR, and further supports the scientific value of Luobing theory in preventing and treating DR and other clinically significant diseases.
4.The Proposal of the Concept of "New Pathogen Invading the Collaterals" and Its Value
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(8):775-779
In the Qing Dynasty, YE Gui proposed the pathogenesis of "chronic diseases entering the collaterals" as a rule for collateral diseases. In the context of viral respiratory diseases, the course of the disease is considered a relative concept. A systematic review of historical literature reveals that "new pathogens" belong to the category of "new diseases". It identifies that "new diseases" include types where the pathogenic qi initially invades without harming the righteous qi, where old diseases relapse while not being completely cured, and where chronic diseases suddenly flare up. These are not limited to exogenous diseases. "New pathogens" refer to diseases caused by the invasion of warm-heat pathogens, the six excesses, and epidemic qi, differing from the modern traditional Chinese medicine term "new warm diseases" related to latent heat diseases. Based on the "collaterals-meridians-collaterals" transformation pathway described in The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor (《黄帝内经》) and the pathogenesis of external pathogens entering the zang-fu organs via the meridians as described in Treatise on Febrile Disease (《伤寒论》), as well as the external warm diseases' transformation rule explained by YE Gui from the perspective of collaterals, the concept of "new pathogen invading the collaterals" is proposed. Further analysis indicates that this concept aligns with the transmission and pathogenesis patterns of viral respiratory diseases. The treatment method of "clearing epidemic pathogens, detoxifying, and spreading the lung to relieve heat" is considered important for the prevention and control of viral respiratory infectious diseases.
5.Analysis of Medication Patterns for Ancient Epidemic Treatment Based on Data Mining
Peipei JIN ; Tongxing WANG ; Liping CHANG ; Bin HOU ; Ningxin HAN ; Xiaoqi WANG ; Zhenhua JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):287-294
ObjectiveExploring the formula rules of commonly used traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs) for epidemic treatment from the Qin and Han dynasties to the Qing dynasty through data mining, providing reference for the prevention and control of contemporary epidemics. MethodsThe articles on epidemic treatment in the electronic database of Chinese Medical Code V5.0 were systematically searched, and the contents such as source, dynasty, author, diagnosis, formula name, therapeutic method and efficacy, and composition of medicines from each article that met the inclusion criteria were extracted. Then, an Excel standardized database was established, and Python programs were used for data mining to summarize the frequency of commonly used medicines and perform hierarchical cluster analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and association rule analysis. ResultsA total of 1 595 formulas were included, involving 558 TCMs. The efficacy of these medicines could be classified into two categories, namely, expeling pathogenic factors and reinforcing healthy Qi. According to the frequency deconstruction analysis, high-frequency medicines were mainly detoxification, Fu-organ dredging, aromatization and promoting blood circulation, followed by the medicines with the effect of treating the lungs, such as clearing the lungs and resolving phlegm, clearing heat and purging the lungs, relieving cough and asthma, and purging the lungs and relieving asthma. And the proportions of acrid-warm herbs and acrid-cold herbs varied in different periods. Hierarchical clustering and correlation analysis both suggested TCMs for expeling pathogenic factors and reinforcing healthy Qi often formed stable combinations with high association degrees. Association rule analysis showed that the core acrid-warm herb was mainly Ephedrae Herba, and the core acrid-cold herb was mainly Forsythiae Fructus, resulting in the core formulas of Maxing Shigantang and Yinqiaosan. ConclusionThroughout history, the prevention and control of epidemics have been based on the principle of "preserving healthy Qi and avoiding toxic Qi", focusing on the treatment of the causes and characteristics of epidemics through detoxification, Fu-organ dredging, and aromatization, emphasizing the use of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and other herbs to dredge Fu-organ, eliminate toxins and pathogens, and playing the role of actively intervene with symptomatic medication. And based on the external manifestations of the body's struggle between evil and righteousness, diagnose and treatment according to syndrome differentiation was performed.
6.Analysis of Medication Patterns for Ancient Epidemic Treatment Based on Data Mining
Peipei JIN ; Tongxing WANG ; Liping CHANG ; Bin HOU ; Ningxin HAN ; Xiaoqi WANG ; Zhenhua JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):287-294
ObjectiveExploring the formula rules of commonly used traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs) for epidemic treatment from the Qin and Han dynasties to the Qing dynasty through data mining, providing reference for the prevention and control of contemporary epidemics. MethodsThe articles on epidemic treatment in the electronic database of Chinese Medical Code V5.0 were systematically searched, and the contents such as source, dynasty, author, diagnosis, formula name, therapeutic method and efficacy, and composition of medicines from each article that met the inclusion criteria were extracted. Then, an Excel standardized database was established, and Python programs were used for data mining to summarize the frequency of commonly used medicines and perform hierarchical cluster analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and association rule analysis. ResultsA total of 1 595 formulas were included, involving 558 TCMs. The efficacy of these medicines could be classified into two categories, namely, expeling pathogenic factors and reinforcing healthy Qi. According to the frequency deconstruction analysis, high-frequency medicines were mainly detoxification, Fu-organ dredging, aromatization and promoting blood circulation, followed by the medicines with the effect of treating the lungs, such as clearing the lungs and resolving phlegm, clearing heat and purging the lungs, relieving cough and asthma, and purging the lungs and relieving asthma. And the proportions of acrid-warm herbs and acrid-cold herbs varied in different periods. Hierarchical clustering and correlation analysis both suggested TCMs for expeling pathogenic factors and reinforcing healthy Qi often formed stable combinations with high association degrees. Association rule analysis showed that the core acrid-warm herb was mainly Ephedrae Herba, and the core acrid-cold herb was mainly Forsythiae Fructus, resulting in the core formulas of Maxing Shigantang and Yinqiaosan. ConclusionThroughout history, the prevention and control of epidemics have been based on the principle of "preserving healthy Qi and avoiding toxic Qi", focusing on the treatment of the causes and characteristics of epidemics through detoxification, Fu-organ dredging, and aromatization, emphasizing the use of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and other herbs to dredge Fu-organ, eliminate toxins and pathogens, and playing the role of actively intervene with symptomatic medication. And based on the external manifestations of the body's struggle between evil and righteousness, diagnose and treatment according to syndrome differentiation was performed.
7.Clinical Experience of Qin Zhenhua in Treating Cutaneous Pruritus
Limei ZHU ; Yiban XU ; Junfeng TANG ; Jia LIN ; Wenliang ZHONG ; Zhenhua QIN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(10):2578-2583
This study summarizes Professor Qin Zhenhua's clinical experience in treating cutaneous pruritus using a modified self-prescribed formula,Yinqiao Xingzi Decoction.Following the viewpoints from the classical Chinese medical literature and after years of clinical practice,Professor Qin proposes that the onset of cutaneous pruritus is often associated with the attack of exogenous pathogens,disharmony of qi and blood,or debility due to prolonged illness.The disease primarily involves the skin,with the fundamental pathogenesis of pathogens stagnating in the muscular superficies.Clinically,the treatment is frequently conducted from the perspective of fire-heat syndrome,and the therapeutic methods of clearing heat and removing toxins,releasing muscles and dispersing pathogens from the superficies,and dispelling wind to relieve itching are utilized.The approaches aim to cool heat in the blood,expel pathogens from the muscular layer,eliminate heat for stopping itching,and extinguish wind for calming the skin.The basic prescription,Yinqiao Xingzi Decoction(composed of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Forsythiae Fructus,Armeniacae Semen Amarum,Arnebiae Radix,Tribuli Fructus,Dictamni Cortex,Kochiae Fructus,and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma),is used by modification depending on the predominance of pathogenic factors of wind,heat,dryness,or dampness-toxins,and according to the various syndromes like blood-heat,yin deficiency,or qi-blood deficiency.Yinqiao Xingzi Decoction is applicable to cutaneous pruritus with the most of clinical common syndrome types,but it is unsuitable for cases caused by yang deficiency or qi stagnation with blood stasis.
8.Discussion About Diagnosis and Treatment Regularity of Infectious Lung Disease Epidemic and New Explanation of Lianhua Qingwen Formula
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(17):203-210
As a public health event that seriously threatens human health, viral respiratory infectious diseases fall within the scope of "new illness entering collaterals". Collateral disease theory is used to guide prevention and treatment of this type of diseases, thus to propose the concept of infectious lung disease epidemic and reveal its progress rule of "Qi collaterals-Qi pathway-blood collaterals". By analyzing main therapeutic methods including detoxication, precipitation draining and aromatization, this paper proposes active intervention and treatment strategy of "simultaneously treating Wei and Qi, relieving exterior-interior syndrome, using medicine with evidence, stopping the disease tendency, overall adjustment and multi-target therapy". Through systematic summarization of historical medication regularity in infectious lung disease epidemic, this paper demonstrates that "maintaining healthy Qi" and "avoiding harmful Qi" are the general rules of prevention and treatment. Based on literature review, data mining and meta analysis of clinical experiences, this study inherits and innovatively develops the formula of Chinese patent medicine Lianhua Qingwen. The formula is developed through a modification to basic formulae Yinqiaosan and Maxing Shigantang. It learns from Wu Youke's experience in treating epidemic diseases with Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, considers pathological characteristics of infectious lung disease epidemic, and innovatively adds Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma and Pogostemonis Herba. The new formula is featured by clearing heat, being warm-pungent, function of both detoxication and aromatization, as well as simultaneous implementation of strengthening the body resistance and purging Fu organs. It can clear heat but won't over cool the body, keep the body warm but won't contribute to pathogenic fire, strengthening the body resistance but won't retain pathogen, and eliminate pathogen but won't damage healthy Qi. Meanwhile, series of basic and clinical studies have demonstrated that Lianhua Qingwen formula has the unique advantages for respiratory infectious diseases, which reveals the scientific connotation of infectious lung disease prevention and control under the guidance of pulmonary collateral disease diagnosis and treatment theory.
9.Effect and Mechanism of Ginsenoside Rg1 Combined with Hirudin in Treating Myocardial Fibrosis in Mice After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Yi LIU ; Liping CHANG ; Yujie YIN ; Ningxin HAN ; Zhenhua JIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):86-94
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) combined with hirudin in treating myocardial fibrosis in the mouse model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). MethodSeventy-five C57BL/6N mice were randomized into sham, model, G-Rg1 (20 mg·kg-1), hirudin (20 mg·kg-1), and G-Rg1 (20 mg·kg-1) + hirudin (20 mg·kg-1) groups. The mouse model of AMI was established by ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery and continued gavage for 4 weeks. The success of the modeling was judged by ECG changes of mice before and after ligation. The heart weight index, echocardiography, myocardial fibrosis, type Ⅰ collagen α1(COL1A1), platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were measured before and after treatment. ResultAfter ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery, the R wave and T wave merged into a tall tented wave, and the ST segment presented a "damaged" change, indicating that the model was successfully prepared. Compared with the sham group, the model group showed dull and dry hair, slow movement, increased heart weight index (P<0.01), decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular shortening fraction (FS) (P<0.01), increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESd) (P<0.01), disarranged myocardial fibers, collagen fiber hyperplasia (P<0.01), increased expression of COL1A1 (P<0.01), upregulated protein levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (P<0.01), downregulated CD31 expression, and upregulated α-SMA expression (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the treatment groups recovered the above indexes in different degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the combined group had better effect (P<0.05). ConclusionG-Rg1 combined with hirudin can ameliorate myocardial fibrosis after AMI by inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecular protein in the heart tissue, reducing the adhesion of inflammatory cells, alleviating cardiac inflammation, and inhibiting cardiac endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
10.Professor Huang Huang's Experience in Treating Depression with Zhongjing Classic Recipe
Liping CHANG ; Cong WEI ; Zhenhua JIA
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(7):747-751
This paper introduces Professor Huang Huang's clinical experience in treating depression with modified classical pre-scriptions of Zhongjing.Professor Huang Huang inherited and summarized Zhongjing's academic thoughts on treating emotional disea-ses,and formulated Jieyu Chufan Recipe by combining Banxia Houpu Decoction with Zhizi Houpu Decoction.He believes that depres-sion is characterized by qi stagnation and phlegm obstruction,as well as internal disturbance of stagnation fire,and formulated a treat-ment method of clearing heat and eliminating restlessness,relieving depression and resolving phlegm.Professor Huang Huang uses Jieyu Chufan Recipe as the basic prescription,and combines relevant classical prescriptions with modifications to treat depression ac-cording to different constitutions and syndromes of patients,achieving satisfactory clinical results.

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