1.Visual Analysis of Literature Research on Compatibility of Bitter and Pungent Medicinals in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wei SONG ; Lele YANG ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):19-28
ObjectiveTo analyze the research situation, hotspots, and trend of the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals in traditional Chinese medicine by knowledge mapping and provide reference for the inheritance and clinical application of this theory. MethodsThe literature on the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals was retrieved from 6 databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, Web of Science, and PubMed. The literature was searched with the keywords of bitter medicinals, pungent medicinals, compatibility, Banxia Xiexin decoction, Zhuyu pills, and Zuojin pills. The search time ranged from January 1, 1984 to August 10, 2024. NoteExpress 3.7 was used for literature screening, and CiteSpace 6.1.R2 was used to visualize the number of publications, authors, institutional cooperation network, and the co-occurrence, clustering, time line, and burst of keywords. ResultsA total of 628 Chinese articles and 151 English articles related to the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals were included, and the annual number of publications rose with fluctuations. WEI Wei was the core author of Chinses articles and SHEN Tao and ZHAO Yanling were the core authors of English articles. China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences formed a close cooperative network with many research institutions at home and abroad. The high-frequency keywords included pungent dispersing and bitter descending, Coptidis Rhizoma, Euodiae Fructus, Banxia Xiexin decoction, Zuojin pills, compatibility, spleen and stomach diseases, and gut microbiota, which mainly involved common prescriptions, diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine, mechanism research and so on. The keyword bursts concentrated in famous doctors' experience, network Meta-analysis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes mellitus, intestinal microbiota, etc. The compatibility of bitter medicinals and pungent medicinals was widely used in clinical practice. Based on pungent dispersing and bitter descending, the middle energizer was regulated for treating spleen and stomach diseases and inflammatory bowel disease. Bitter and pungent medicinals descending the turbid were used to treat diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia by lowering blood glucose and lipid levels. The mild bitter and slightly pungent medicinals were used as supplements to treat depression and COVID-19 by regulating Qi movement. ConclusionIn the past 40 years, the number of publications on the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals has been increasing, and the research team has begun to take form. Clinically, the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals is the main treatment for spleen and stomach diseases and glycolipid metabolic diseases. At present, the modern scientific essence of the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals is mainly explained based on famous doctors' experience inheritance, network meta-analysis, and intestinal flora.
2.Zhuyuwan in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia Complicated with Carotid Atherosclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Wei SONG ; Lele YANG ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):38-45
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of Zhuyuwan in the treatment of hyperlipidemia (syndrome of phlegm turbidity and obstruction) complicated with carotid atherosclerosis. MethodsA total of 120 patients with hyperlipidemia (syndrome of phlegm turbidity and obstruction) complicated with carotid atherosclerosis were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, with 60 patients in each group. The control group orally took rosuvastatin calcium tablets, 10 mg each time, once a day. The treatment group took Zhuyuwan granules, 1 dose a day in 3 times. Both groups received diet and exercise guidance and were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores were recorded before and after treatment. The levels of blood lipids [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], carotid color ultrasound [carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque number, maximum plaque area, and maximum plaque thickness], vascular intimal repair-related factors [nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), and thromboxane B2 (TXB2)], and oxidative stress-related indicators [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)] were measured before and after treatment. The occurrence of adverse reactions was observed during treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared after treatment. ResultsThe trial was completed and 112 patients (57 in the treatment group and 55 in the control group) were included in the statistical analysis, and the general information of the two groups was comparable. The total response rate in the treatment group was 87.72% (50/57), which was higher than that (74.55%, 41/55) in the control group (χ2=4.823, P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of main TCM symptoms such as body obesity, chest tightness, and limb numbness, the scores of secondary symptoms such as palpitation, insomnia, tastelessness in the mouth, reduced appetite, tongue and pulse manifestation scores, and the total TCM symptom score decreased in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the treatment group had lower scores of main symptoms such as body obesity, head heaviness, chest tightness, nausea, salivation, and limb numbness, scores of secondary symptoms such as tastelessness in the mouth and reduced appetite, and total TCM symptom score than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, both groups showed declines in TC, TG, LDL-C, IMT, plaque number, maximum plaque area, maximum plaque thickness, ET-1, sICAM-1, and TXB2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and elevations in levels of HDL-C, NO, and SOD (P<0.05, P<0.01). The treatment group had lower TC, TG, LDL-C, IMT, plaque number, maximum plaque area, maximum plaque thickness, ET-1, sICAM-1, and TXB2 (P<0.01) and higher levels of HDL-C, NO, SOD, and GSH-Px (P<0.05, P<0.01) than the control group. During treatment, adverse reactions occurred in 3 cases (5.26%, 1 case of dizziness, 1 case of acid reflux, and 1 case of constipation) in the treatment group and 4 cases (7.27%, 2 cases of upper respiratory tract infection, 1 case of abdominal pain, and 1 case of low back pain) in the control group. ConclusionZhuyuwan can effectively reduce blood lipid levels, inhibit the formation of carotid atherosclerotic plaque, and alleviate the syndrome of phlegm turbidity and obstruction by promoting vascular intima repair and improving the antioxidant function.
3.Exploration of Zhuyuwan in Treatment of Atherosclerosis from Perspective of Lipid Transport Disorder
Wei SONG ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Hairong QIU ; Mei ZHAO ; Zubing ZHOU ; Tao SHEN ; Yong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):54-61
This article discusses the key pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS) based on the physiological characteristics and pathological changes of lipids and introduces the therapeutic effect of Zhuyuwan on AS, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases from the spleen. As essential substances, lipids have the same essence but different forms. They circulate throughout the body with body fluids under the action of Yang Qi to nourish the nutrient Qi and support the defensive Qi. Lipid metabolism disorder often leads to the obstruction of Qi movement, the accumulation of dampness and turbidity, and the generation of phlegm and blood stasis. It has been proven that the formation of vulnerable plaques in AS is attributed to the interaction of three pathogenic factors: deficiency of healthy Qi, phlegm-turbidity, and collateral stasis. Their pathological essence is closely related to abnormal lipid metabolism. As lipids constitute the thick and dense components of body fluids, their impaired dispersion may lead to phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis, the pathological process of which is predominantly ascribed to the dysfunction of the spleen in distributing essence. Therefore, AS is rooted in spleen-stomach disorder, manifests as plaques formed by pathological product accumulation in vessels, with lipid transport disorder as its core pathogenesis. Specifically speaking, the dysfunction of spleen in transportation with accumulation of dampness-turbidity marks the initial stage, and blood turbidity and coagulation and phlegm-nodules accumulating in vessels represent the intermediate phase. Cold accumulation and stagnated heat transforming into toxins represent the terminal stage. Zhuyuwan, first recorded in Taiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief, contains equal proportions of Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus. Coptidis Rhizoma, bitter and cold, exerts descending and purging actions to assist stomach Qi in lowering turbidity. Evodiae Fructus, pungent-bitter and hot, disperses obstruction and promotes free flow to support spleen Qi in ascending the clear. The compatibility of Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus ascends the clear and descends the turbid to harmonize Yin and Yang, assisting the spleen in distributing essence and resolving lipid accumulation to reduce lipid levels. In terms of the therapeutic mechanism, Zhuyuwan modulates lipid metabolism by correcting immune-inflammation network imbalance, improving gut microbiota composition and metabolism, and enhancing reverse cholesterol transport. By analyzing the pathological characteristics of lipid transport disorder in AS, this study delves into the intrinsic connections between cardiovascular disease and lipid transport disorder, giving novel insights into the prevention and treatment of AS.
4.Visual Analysis of Literature Research on Compatibility of Bitter and Pungent Medicinals in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Wei SONG ; Lele YANG ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):19-28
ObjectiveTo analyze the research situation, hotspots, and trend of the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals in traditional Chinese medicine by knowledge mapping and provide reference for the inheritance and clinical application of this theory. MethodsThe literature on the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals was retrieved from 6 databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, Web of Science, and PubMed. The literature was searched with the keywords of bitter medicinals, pungent medicinals, compatibility, Banxia Xiexin decoction, Zhuyu pills, and Zuojin pills. The search time ranged from January 1, 1984 to August 10, 2024. NoteExpress 3.7 was used for literature screening, and CiteSpace 6.1.R2 was used to visualize the number of publications, authors, institutional cooperation network, and the co-occurrence, clustering, time line, and burst of keywords. ResultsA total of 628 Chinese articles and 151 English articles related to the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals were included, and the annual number of publications rose with fluctuations. WEI Wei was the core author of Chinses articles and SHEN Tao and ZHAO Yanling were the core authors of English articles. China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences formed a close cooperative network with many research institutions at home and abroad. The high-frequency keywords included pungent dispersing and bitter descending, Coptidis Rhizoma, Euodiae Fructus, Banxia Xiexin decoction, Zuojin pills, compatibility, spleen and stomach diseases, and gut microbiota, which mainly involved common prescriptions, diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine, mechanism research and so on. The keyword bursts concentrated in famous doctors' experience, network Meta-analysis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes mellitus, intestinal microbiota, etc. The compatibility of bitter medicinals and pungent medicinals was widely used in clinical practice. Based on pungent dispersing and bitter descending, the middle energizer was regulated for treating spleen and stomach diseases and inflammatory bowel disease. Bitter and pungent medicinals descending the turbid were used to treat diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia by lowering blood glucose and lipid levels. The mild bitter and slightly pungent medicinals were used as supplements to treat depression and COVID-19 by regulating Qi movement. ConclusionIn the past 40 years, the number of publications on the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals has been increasing, and the research team has begun to take form. Clinically, the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals is the main treatment for spleen and stomach diseases and glycolipid metabolic diseases. At present, the modern scientific essence of the compatibility of bitter and pungent medicinals is mainly explained based on famous doctors' experience inheritance, network meta-analysis, and intestinal flora.
5.Zhuyuwan in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia Complicated with Carotid Atherosclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Wei SONG ; Lele YANG ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):38-45
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of Zhuyuwan in the treatment of hyperlipidemia (syndrome of phlegm turbidity and obstruction) complicated with carotid atherosclerosis. MethodsA total of 120 patients with hyperlipidemia (syndrome of phlegm turbidity and obstruction) complicated with carotid atherosclerosis were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, with 60 patients in each group. The control group orally took rosuvastatin calcium tablets, 10 mg each time, once a day. The treatment group took Zhuyuwan granules, 1 dose a day in 3 times. Both groups received diet and exercise guidance and were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores were recorded before and after treatment. The levels of blood lipids [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], carotid color ultrasound [carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque number, maximum plaque area, and maximum plaque thickness], vascular intimal repair-related factors [nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), and thromboxane B2 (TXB2)], and oxidative stress-related indicators [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)] were measured before and after treatment. The occurrence of adverse reactions was observed during treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared after treatment. ResultsThe trial was completed and 112 patients (57 in the treatment group and 55 in the control group) were included in the statistical analysis, and the general information of the two groups was comparable. The total response rate in the treatment group was 87.72% (50/57), which was higher than that (74.55%, 41/55) in the control group (χ2=4.823, P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of main TCM symptoms such as body obesity, chest tightness, and limb numbness, the scores of secondary symptoms such as palpitation, insomnia, tastelessness in the mouth, reduced appetite, tongue and pulse manifestation scores, and the total TCM symptom score decreased in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the treatment group had lower scores of main symptoms such as body obesity, head heaviness, chest tightness, nausea, salivation, and limb numbness, scores of secondary symptoms such as tastelessness in the mouth and reduced appetite, and total TCM symptom score than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, both groups showed declines in TC, TG, LDL-C, IMT, plaque number, maximum plaque area, maximum plaque thickness, ET-1, sICAM-1, and TXB2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and elevations in levels of HDL-C, NO, and SOD (P<0.05, P<0.01). The treatment group had lower TC, TG, LDL-C, IMT, plaque number, maximum plaque area, maximum plaque thickness, ET-1, sICAM-1, and TXB2 (P<0.01) and higher levels of HDL-C, NO, SOD, and GSH-Px (P<0.05, P<0.01) than the control group. During treatment, adverse reactions occurred in 3 cases (5.26%, 1 case of dizziness, 1 case of acid reflux, and 1 case of constipation) in the treatment group and 4 cases (7.27%, 2 cases of upper respiratory tract infection, 1 case of abdominal pain, and 1 case of low back pain) in the control group. ConclusionZhuyuwan can effectively reduce blood lipid levels, inhibit the formation of carotid atherosclerotic plaque, and alleviate the syndrome of phlegm turbidity and obstruction by promoting vascular intima repair and improving the antioxidant function.
6.Exploration of Zhuyuwan in Treatment of Atherosclerosis from Perspective of Lipid Transport Disorder
Wei SONG ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Hairong QIU ; Mei ZHAO ; Zubing ZHOU ; Tao SHEN ; Yong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):54-61
This article discusses the key pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS) based on the physiological characteristics and pathological changes of lipids and introduces the therapeutic effect of Zhuyuwan on AS, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases from the spleen. As essential substances, lipids have the same essence but different forms. They circulate throughout the body with body fluids under the action of Yang Qi to nourish the nutrient Qi and support the defensive Qi. Lipid metabolism disorder often leads to the obstruction of Qi movement, the accumulation of dampness and turbidity, and the generation of phlegm and blood stasis. It has been proven that the formation of vulnerable plaques in AS is attributed to the interaction of three pathogenic factors: deficiency of healthy Qi, phlegm-turbidity, and collateral stasis. Their pathological essence is closely related to abnormal lipid metabolism. As lipids constitute the thick and dense components of body fluids, their impaired dispersion may lead to phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis, the pathological process of which is predominantly ascribed to the dysfunction of the spleen in distributing essence. Therefore, AS is rooted in spleen-stomach disorder, manifests as plaques formed by pathological product accumulation in vessels, with lipid transport disorder as its core pathogenesis. Specifically speaking, the dysfunction of spleen in transportation with accumulation of dampness-turbidity marks the initial stage, and blood turbidity and coagulation and phlegm-nodules accumulating in vessels represent the intermediate phase. Cold accumulation and stagnated heat transforming into toxins represent the terminal stage. Zhuyuwan, first recorded in Taiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief, contains equal proportions of Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus. Coptidis Rhizoma, bitter and cold, exerts descending and purging actions to assist stomach Qi in lowering turbidity. Evodiae Fructus, pungent-bitter and hot, disperses obstruction and promotes free flow to support spleen Qi in ascending the clear. The compatibility of Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus ascends the clear and descends the turbid to harmonize Yin and Yang, assisting the spleen in distributing essence and resolving lipid accumulation to reduce lipid levels. In terms of the therapeutic mechanism, Zhuyuwan modulates lipid metabolism by correcting immune-inflammation network imbalance, improving gut microbiota composition and metabolism, and enhancing reverse cholesterol transport. By analyzing the pathological characteristics of lipid transport disorder in AS, this study delves into the intrinsic connections between cardiovascular disease and lipid transport disorder, giving novel insights into the prevention and treatment of AS.
7.Study on the Distribution of TCM Syndromes of Severe Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children Based on Factor Analysis and Clustering Analysis
Fengye JI ; Zhongyi ZHU ; Jin ZHANG ; Ling WANG ; Yan YANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(2):144-148
Objective To explore the distribution law of TCM syndromes in children with severe mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(SMPP)based on factor analysis and clustering analysis;To provide references for accurately identifying this disease.Methods General data,symptoms,signs and tongue and pulse were retrospectively collected from 408 children with SMPP who were hospitalized in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Beijing Children's Hospital,Capital Medical University between September 2019 and November 2023.The relevant clinical information was extracted and entered into the Excel 2019 database,and SPSS 27.0 was used to perform factor analysis.The sample of 408 cases was subjected to K-means clustering analysis,and finally,the distribution of TCM syndromes was derived.Results Factor analysis screened five common factors with eigenvalue>1,and its cumulative contribution rate was 63.063%;clustering analysis co-classified four types of syndromes,among which phlegm-heat-closure lung syndrome,toxic-heat-closure lung syndrome,lung-spleen-qi deficiency syndrome and healthy qi deficiency and pathogens attachment syndrome accounted for 39.22%,32.35%,15.20%and 12.75%,respectively.Conclusion Pediatric SMPP is characterized by toxic heat,qi deficiency,phlegm-heat,damp-heat and yin deficiency,and the disease is located in lungs,spleen and heart;TCM syndromes are characterized by phlegm-heat-closure lung,toxic-heat-closure lung,healthy qi deficiency and pathogens attachment and lung-spleen-qi deficiency,with phlegm-heat-closure lung syndrome and toxic-heat-closure lung syndrome being the most common syndromes.
8.The application progress of dyadic interviews in nursing qualitative research
Zhongyi ZHANG ; Zihan ZANG ; Junyang SONG ; Yuanyuan JIN ; Huiling LI
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(11):1405-1408,后插1
Dyadic interviews can deeply reveal the complex interaction between dyads(eg,patients and their caregivers),and their importance in the field of nursing qualitative research has become increasingly prominent.Through a comprehensive literature review,this paper systematically combs the relevant literature of dyadic interviews,elaborates on the concept and application areas of dyadic interviews,deeply discusses 5 major forms of dyadic interviews and the analysis methods of dyadic data,illustrates with specific examples.The aim is to provide methodological guidance for Chinese nursing researchers and promote the scientific and standardized application of this method in the field of nursing qualitative research.
9.Research on Construction of Performance Evaluation lndicators System of Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctors
Xiaohe WANG ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; SUNSIYI ; Fujie WANG ; Beiyin LU
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(4):47-51
Objective To clarify the connotation of TCM doctors'work performance,explore the evaluation indicators system of TCM doctors'work performance conforming to the characteristics of TCM,and provide a basis for reasonable measurement of TCM doctors'work performance.Methods The connotation of TCM doctors'work performance was sorted out by literature data method,the TCM doctors'work performance evaluation index was constructed in line with the characteristics of TCM by grounded theory method,and 412 TCM doctors from 1 1 hospitals in Zhejiang Province were investigated by questionnaire method,and the scientificity of the evaluation index was tested by project analysis and reliability and validity analysis.Results The connotation of TCM doctors'work performance was clarified,and three first-level indicators,14 second-level indicators and 23 third-level indicators,including diagnosis and treatment workload,work quality and characteristics,teaching and scientific research,were established.Project analysis showed that all indicators had good discrimination and homogeneity,Cronbach's coefficient showed that the constructed indicators had high internal consistency,and the 3 common factors extracted by exploratory factor analysis were consistent with the preset first-level indicators.Conclusion It scientifically constructs the performance evaluation index of TCM doctors,which can provide reference for optimizing the setting of performance evaluation index of TCM doctors.
10.Research on the lmpact of Performance Appraisal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctors on Salary Satisfaction:Based on Mediation Effect of the Sense of Salary Fairness
Xiaohe WANG ; Siyi SUN ; Zhongyi ZHANG ; Fujie WANG ; Jinwen LI
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(4):52-56
Objective To investigate the status quo of work performance appraisal,sense of salary fairness and salary satisfaction of traditional Chinese Medical(TCM)doctors,and to explore the effect of performance appraisal on salary satisfaction and the mediating effect ofsense of salary fairness between them.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 412 TCM doctors selected from 1 1 public hospitals of different categories and grades in Zhejiang Province.Descriptive analysis,analysis of variance and structural equation model were used to analyze the data.Results The scores of Chinese Medicine characteristics(3.41),sense of salary fairness(3.15)and salary satisfaction(3.07)in the work performance appraisal of TCM doctors were between average(3)and better(4).The work performance appraisal of TCMdoctors had a positive effect on pay equity(β=0.714,P<0.001),the sense of salary fairness of TCM doctors completely mediated(β=0.618,P<0.001)the effect of TCM characteristics on salary satisfaction(β=0.084,P>0.05).Conclusion It is suggested that the performance appraisal of TCM doctors should be improved and a fair and reasonable performance salary system should be established,and then enhance their salary satisfaction.

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