1.Exploring the research paradigm of"disease-syndrome-prescription"in traditional Chinese medicine based on the formula-syndrome scientific connotation of Xiaoyao Powder
Wenzhi HAO ; Xiaojuan LI ; Feifei XUE ; Jiaxu CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(7):889-895
As the defining characteristic and essence of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the integration of disease and syndrome,along with the correlation between syndrome and prescription,forms the foundation for syndrome differentiation and treatment,and guides the clinical diagnosis and treatment practice of TCM.However,key scientific questions remain unresolved regarding the"disease-syndrome-prescription"framework,particularly the biological basis of diseases and syndromes,the active pharmacodynamic constituents of compound formulas,and their mechanism of action.Furthermore,a systematic paradigm for investigating"disease-syndrome-prescription"relationships has not been established,restricting the innovation and development of TCM theory and practice.Xiaoyao Powder,which was first described in a medical book named Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang written during the Song Dynasty of China,disperses stagnated liver qi for relieving qi stagnation,thus nourishing the blood and strengthening the spleen,making it a representative prescription for addressing depression due to liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency under the guidance of correspondence between syndrome and prescription.Therefore,base on the combination of disease and syndrome,and correspondence between syndrome and prescription,investigating the formula-syndrome scientific connotation of Xiaoyao Powder and exploring the research paradigm for the"disease-syndrome-prescription"can provide insights into TCM theory from the perspective of modern science.
2.Bidirectional modulation of depression disorder through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and gut-brain axis from the perspective of simultaneous treatment of the liver and spleen
Nan NAN ; Wenzhi HAO ; Lin LI ; Yueyun LIU ; Jiaxu CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(7):896-902
As a major global public health concern,the incidence of depression disorder is increasing annually.The pathological mechanism of depression involves bidirectional dysregulation between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)and gut-brain axes.According to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the liver controls conveyance and dispersion,the spleen governs transportation and transformation,and both jointly maintain the balance between ascending and descending qi movement and zang fu viscera function in the body.Liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency result in qi movement disorder and a lack of source qi and blood,leading to depression induced by malnutrition of heart spirit.As a classic prescription for soothing the liver,invigorating the spleen,and replenishing blood,Xiaoyao Powder is used to reinforce healthy qi and eliminate pathogenic factors.Xiaoyao Powder not only regulates the"yin in property of liver"but also strengthens the"ascending and descending"of the spleen.As commonly used by ancient and modern physicians,also indirectly inhibits HPA axis upregulation and improves depression-related gastrointestinal dysfunction.This paper systematically expounds the multi-dimensional mechanism of Xiaoyao Powder in treating depression through the two-way regulation of the HPA-gut-brain axis.It reveals the therapeutic characteristics of"multi-component and multi-target"in TCM to provide a novel theoretical basis for the modernization of TCM and the treatment of depression by combining TCM and Western medicine.
3.Etiology,pathogenesis,syndrome differentiation,and treatment of neuro-endocrine-immune system imbalance in depression based on the"excessive vitality leading to restraint and counter-regulation(Kang Hai Cheng Zhi)"theory
Jiaxi TONG ; Yidi WANG ; Aixin LI ; Yanru SUN ; Wenzhi HAO ; Zhe XUE ; Yueyun LIU ; Yueyue CHEN ; Jiaxu CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(7):903-908
Depression is closely associated with a neuro-endocrine-immune(NEI)system imbalance.The"excessive vitality leading to restraint and counter-regulation(Kang Hai Cheng Zhi)"theory elucidates the self-regulating mechanism for maintaining dynamic equilibrium in the body,and serves as an importance principle guiding treatment formulation and medication selection.Based on the correlation between NEI system imbalance and the traditional Chinese medicine pathogenesis of depression,and integrating the"Kang Hai Cheng Zhi"theory,the author posits that the pathogenesis of depression lies in overactive liver invading spleen,earth dampness impeding wood′s ascendancy,and disharmony between body and mind,as well as imbalance in storage and discharge functions of liver and kidney,disharmony between Yin and Yang,and disrupted counter-regulation.This dosely aligns with two key pathological methanisms at the micro level:microglial-limbic system homeostatic imbalance and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-inflammatory circuit dysregulation.Clinically,the treatment principle for depression adheres to supporting the counter-regulation to restrain excess,with herbal interventions using strategies such as restraining wood to support earth,dredging earth to unblock wood,and harmonizing pivotal functions,as well as nourishing water to nurture wood,warming kidney to tonify liver,and relieving depression to calm the spirit.These approaches aim to regulate the liver,spleen,and kidney,embodying the core therapeutic tenet of"striving for equilibrium,"thereby restoring the body′s self-regulating capability.
4.Pathogenesis and treatment strategies for infectious keratitis: Exploring antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides, nanotechnology, and emerging therapies.
Man YU ; Ling LI ; Yijun LIU ; Ting WANG ; Huan LI ; Chen SHI ; Xiaoxin GUO ; Weijia WU ; Chengzi GAN ; Mingze LI ; Jiaxu HONG ; Kai DONG ; Bo GONG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(9):101250-101250
Infectious keratitis (IK) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, primarily resulting from improper contact lens use, trauma, and a compromised immune response. The pathogenic microorganisms responsible for IK include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and Acanthamoeba. This review examines standard therapeutic agents for treating IK, including broad-spectrum empiric antibiotics for bacterial keratitis (BK), antifungals such as voriconazole and natamycin for fungal infections, and antiviral nucleoside analogues for viral keratitis (VK). Additionally, this review discusses therapeutic agents, such as polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), for the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). The review also addresses emerging drugs and the challenges associated with their clinical application, including anti-biofilm agents that combat drug resistance and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway-targeted therapies to mitigate inflammation. Furthermore, methods of Photodynamic Antimicrobial Therapy (PDAT) are explored. This review underscores the importance of integrating novel and traditional therapies to tackle drug resistance and enhance drug delivery, with the goal of advancing treatment strategies for IK.
5.The Research Progress and Development Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis Empowered by Artificial Intelligence
Wenjun ZHU ; Manshi TANG ; Kaijie SHE ; Zihao TANG ; Minyi HUANG ; Naijun YUAN ; Qingyu MA ; Jiaxu CHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1413-1418
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology provides new opportunities for the modernisation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis. By analysing the foundation, research progress and difficulties of the combination of AI and TCM diagnosis, it is concluded that AI has made remarkable development in intelligence-driven modernization of TCM tongue diagnosis, pulse diagnosis, listening and smelling diagnosis and text processing, and there are useful explorations in the field of constructing data-driven TCM diagnostic model and multidisciplinary integration of TCM diagnostic models. However, the current integration of AI technology in TCM diagnosis still faces many challenges, such as the scarcity and uneven quality of clinical data, the limited ability of AI algorithms to express TCM thinking model of syndrome differentiation and empirical knowledge, and the possible existence of ethical and privacy issues. By systematically sorting out the current research status and development direction of AI-empowered TCM diagnostics, it is proposed to promote the application of AI technology in TCM diagnostics in four aspects, namely, strengthening the construction of TCM big data and talent cultivation, encouraging cross-disciplinary cooperation, improving the legal and ethical framework, and promoting the popularity of the technology in primary care, so as to enhance the modernisation of TCM diagnostics.
6.Clinical observation of improving pain,shoulder function,and shoulder muscle strength with DING's Tuina combined with Western medication in patients with rotator cuff injury
Heng ZHANG ; AIMAITI YIMIER ; Linhao YANG ; Jingsong XU ; Jiaxu CHEN ; Zhen YAN ; Jue HONG
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2025;23(2):170-177
Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of DING's Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)plus Western medication in treating rotator cuff injury(RCI)and its impact on pain,shoulder function,and shoulder muscle strength in the patients.Methods:Sixty-two RCI patients were divided into an observation group and a control group using a simple randomization method,each consisting of 31 cases.Both groups of patients were prescribed oral celecoxib capsules.In addition,DING's Tuina treatment was offered to the observation group.After 6 weeks of treatment,the two groups were observed for changes in the Constant-Murley score(CMS)for shoulder joint function,the short-form McGill pain questionnaire(SF-MPQ)score,and peak torque(PT)and peak torque to body mass ratio(PT/BM)at angular velocities 120 °/s and 90 °/s as well as the peak torque ratio(PTR)of agonist muscles to antagonist muscles[including adductors to abductors(ADD/ABD)and flexors to extensors(F/E)].Results:After treatment,both groups presented decreased SF-MPQ scores and increased CMS,and the intra-group differences were statistically significant(P<0.05);the observation group had a lower SF-MPQ score and a higher CMS than the control group,showing statistical significance(P<0.05).After the intervention,the ADD/ABD decreased in the control group at the angular velocity 120 °/s in abduction,and the intra-group change was statistically significant(P<0.05);in the observation group,the PT and PT/BM increased compared to the baseline at angular velocities 120 °/s and 90 °/s in abduction,adduction,forward flexion,and backward extension,showing statistical significance(P<0.05).After treatment,the PT and PT/BM at angular velocities 120 °/s and 90 °/s and ADD/ABD at 120 °/s were higher in the observation group than in the control group,and the between-group differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:DING's Tuina combined with oral celecoxib capsules can reduce pain,improve the joint's motor function,and enhance the strength of shoulder muscle groups in RCI patients,and this treatment has a positive impact on the stability when performing shoulder joint abduction and adduction.
7.Meta-analysis of the incidence and influencing factors of transient severe motion in the arterial phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI
Fukun SHI ; Jiaxu LIANG ; Qian XU ; Junjie SHU ; Jiameng SI ; Yihao YAN ; Yong CHEN ; Suo YIN ; Lan ZHANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(8):1392-1398
Objective To explore the incidence and its influencing factors of transient severe motion(TSM)in the arterial phase of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid(Gd-EOB-DTPA)enhanced MRI.Methods The databases of China National Knowledge Network(CNKI),VIP,Wanfang,PubMed,and Embase were searched for studies on the incidence and influencing factors of TSM,and the search time was from the establishment of the databases to October 2024.Meta-analysis was performed via Stata 17.0 software.Results A total of 30 papers(33 studies)were finally included,totaling 12 565 patients.Meta-analysis results showed that the incidence of TSM in the arterial phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI was 13.0%.The risk factors for TSM included age[odds ratio(OR)=1.03;95%confidence interval(CI)1.02-1.05;P<0.001),chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)(OR=4.21;95%CI 1.76-10.09;P=0.001),and moderate-to-severe pleural effusion(OR=3.34;95%CI 1.69-6.63;P=0.001),while a previous usage history of Gd-EOB-DTPA(OR=0.56;95%CI 0.39-0.81;P=0.002)was a protective factor of TSM.Conclusion The incidence of TSM in the arterial phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI is relatively high.Age,COPD,moderate-to-severe pleural effusion are risk factors for TSM,while the previous usage history of Gd-EOB-DTPA is a protective factor for TSM.
8.Exploring the research paradigm of"disease-syndrome-prescription"in traditional Chinese medicine based on the formula-syndrome scientific connotation of Xiaoyao Powder
Wenzhi HAO ; Xiaojuan LI ; Feifei XUE ; Jiaxu CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(7):889-895
As the defining characteristic and essence of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the integration of disease and syndrome,along with the correlation between syndrome and prescription,forms the foundation for syndrome differentiation and treatment,and guides the clinical diagnosis and treatment practice of TCM.However,key scientific questions remain unresolved regarding the"disease-syndrome-prescription"framework,particularly the biological basis of diseases and syndromes,the active pharmacodynamic constituents of compound formulas,and their mechanism of action.Furthermore,a systematic paradigm for investigating"disease-syndrome-prescription"relationships has not been established,restricting the innovation and development of TCM theory and practice.Xiaoyao Powder,which was first described in a medical book named Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang written during the Song Dynasty of China,disperses stagnated liver qi for relieving qi stagnation,thus nourishing the blood and strengthening the spleen,making it a representative prescription for addressing depression due to liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency under the guidance of correspondence between syndrome and prescription.Therefore,base on the combination of disease and syndrome,and correspondence between syndrome and prescription,investigating the formula-syndrome scientific connotation of Xiaoyao Powder and exploring the research paradigm for the"disease-syndrome-prescription"can provide insights into TCM theory from the perspective of modern science.
9.Bidirectional modulation of depression disorder through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and gut-brain axis from the perspective of simultaneous treatment of the liver and spleen
Nan NAN ; Wenzhi HAO ; Lin LI ; Yueyun LIU ; Jiaxu CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(7):896-902
As a major global public health concern,the incidence of depression disorder is increasing annually.The pathological mechanism of depression involves bidirectional dysregulation between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)and gut-brain axes.According to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the liver controls conveyance and dispersion,the spleen governs transportation and transformation,and both jointly maintain the balance between ascending and descending qi movement and zang fu viscera function in the body.Liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency result in qi movement disorder and a lack of source qi and blood,leading to depression induced by malnutrition of heart spirit.As a classic prescription for soothing the liver,invigorating the spleen,and replenishing blood,Xiaoyao Powder is used to reinforce healthy qi and eliminate pathogenic factors.Xiaoyao Powder not only regulates the"yin in property of liver"but also strengthens the"ascending and descending"of the spleen.As commonly used by ancient and modern physicians,also indirectly inhibits HPA axis upregulation and improves depression-related gastrointestinal dysfunction.This paper systematically expounds the multi-dimensional mechanism of Xiaoyao Powder in treating depression through the two-way regulation of the HPA-gut-brain axis.It reveals the therapeutic characteristics of"multi-component and multi-target"in TCM to provide a novel theoretical basis for the modernization of TCM and the treatment of depression by combining TCM and Western medicine.
10.Etiology,pathogenesis,syndrome differentiation,and treatment of neuro-endocrine-immune system imbalance in depression based on the"excessive vitality leading to restraint and counter-regulation(Kang Hai Cheng Zhi)"theory
Jiaxi TONG ; Yidi WANG ; Aixin LI ; Yanru SUN ; Wenzhi HAO ; Zhe XUE ; Yueyun LIU ; Yueyue CHEN ; Jiaxu CHEN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(7):903-908
Depression is closely associated with a neuro-endocrine-immune(NEI)system imbalance.The"excessive vitality leading to restraint and counter-regulation(Kang Hai Cheng Zhi)"theory elucidates the self-regulating mechanism for maintaining dynamic equilibrium in the body,and serves as an importance principle guiding treatment formulation and medication selection.Based on the correlation between NEI system imbalance and the traditional Chinese medicine pathogenesis of depression,and integrating the"Kang Hai Cheng Zhi"theory,the author posits that the pathogenesis of depression lies in overactive liver invading spleen,earth dampness impeding wood′s ascendancy,and disharmony between body and mind,as well as imbalance in storage and discharge functions of liver and kidney,disharmony between Yin and Yang,and disrupted counter-regulation.This dosely aligns with two key pathological methanisms at the micro level:microglial-limbic system homeostatic imbalance and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-inflammatory circuit dysregulation.Clinically,the treatment principle for depression adheres to supporting the counter-regulation to restrain excess,with herbal interventions using strategies such as restraining wood to support earth,dredging earth to unblock wood,and harmonizing pivotal functions,as well as nourishing water to nurture wood,warming kidney to tonify liver,and relieving depression to calm the spirit.These approaches aim to regulate the liver,spleen,and kidney,embodying the core therapeutic tenet of"striving for equilibrium,"thereby restoring the body′s self-regulating capability.

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