1.Inheritance and Current Research Status of Major Spleen-Stomach Theories in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ling HU ; Fengyun WANG ; Xudong TANG ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yunkai DAI ; Xu CHEN ; Shiqi LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):87-94
This paper systematically reviews the core concepts and lines of theoretical inheritance of major spleen-stomach theories in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including spleen deficiency theory, spleen-stomach damp-heat theory, and liver-spleen disharmony theory. It is found that these theories have all undergone a developmental trajectory characterized by classical foundation, refinement of therapeutic methods, systematization of pathogenesis, and modern innovation. The evolution of spleen-stomach theory has achieved a shift from a singular focus on tonifying the spleen to regulating dynamic middle-jiao (焦) balance, and from localized spleen-stomach regulation to the circular movement of qi involving all five zang organs. In terms of modern disease-syndrome integrative research, spleen deficiency syndrome is shown to be closely associated with impairment of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier, metabolic disorders, and gene polymorphisms related to Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric diseases. Spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome is closely linked to hyperactive energy metabolism, inflammatory cytokines, and abnormal expression of aquaporins. Liver-spleen disharmony syndrome is mainly associated with dysregulation of the brain-gut axis and microbiota-related metabolic disorders. It is proposed that future research on spleen-stomach diseases and syndromes should further elucidate their potential multidimensional differential biological characteristics, thereby promoting the modernization of the TCM discipline of spleen-stomach studies.
2.Strategies for Building an Artificial Intelligence-Empowered Trusted Federated Evidence-Based Analysis Platform for Spleen-Stomach Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Bin WANG ; Huiying ZHUANG ; Zhitao MAN ; Lifeng REN ; Chang HE ; Chen WU ; Xulei HU ; Xiaoxiao WEN ; Chenggong XIE ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):95-102
This paper outlines the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research, and elucidates the roles and advantages of large language models, knowledge graphs, and natural language processing in advancing syndrome identification, prescription generation, and mechanism exploration. Using spleen-stomach diseases as an example, it demonstrates the empowering effects of AI in classical literature mining, precise clinical syndrome differentiation, efficacy and safety prediction, and intelligent education, highlighting an upgraded research paradigm that evolves from data-driven and knowledge-driven approaches to intelligence-driven models. To address challenges related to privacy protection and regulatory compliance in cross-institutional data collaboration, a "trusted federated evidence-based analysis platform for TCM spleen-stomach diseases" is proposed, integrating blockchain-based smart contracts, federated learning, and secure multi-party computation. The deep integration of AI with privacy-preserving computing is reshaping research and clinical practice in TCM spleen-stomach diseases, providing feasible pathways and a technical framework for building a high-quality, trustworthy TCM big-data ecosystem and achieving precision syndrome differentiation.
3.Current Status of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Research on Mechanism
Junxiang LI ; Hong SHEN ; Tangyou MAO ; Lei ZHU ; Jiaqi ZHANG ; Zhibin WANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):103-110
In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has achieved significant progress in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A comprehensive literature search was conducted covering the period from January 1, 2010, to December 30, 2024, across Chinese databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP China Science and Technology Journal Database, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System, as well as international databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. The clinical applications and mechanistic studies of TCM in IBD were systematically reviewed. The current status of TCM research on the etiology and pathogenesis of IBD, innovative clinical practices, and multimodal therapeutic approaches, including Chinese herbal formulas, single herbs or active compounds, acupuncture, herbal retention enema, and acupoint application, were summarized, together with their synergistic effects when combined with western medical treatments. The development and application of Chinese patent medicines for IBD are undergoing a profound transition from efficacy validation to mechanistic exploration. Mechanistic studies on the effects of TCM in IBD mainly focus on regulating gut microbiota homeostasis, repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier, and modulating intestinal immune balance. Furthermore, future research directions for TCM-based IBD management are proposed, including the establishment of TCM diagnostic and treatment models, expanding integrated applications of external and internal TCM therapies, innovating personalized treatment strategies, and advancing drug development. These efforts aim to provide insights for the standardized and precision-oriented development of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of IBD.
4.Research Advances of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease:Overview and Prospects
Liang DAI ; Guang JI ; Xianbo WANG ; Li ZHANG ; Hanchen XU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):386-391
The pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is fundamentally rooted in spleen deficiency and is closely associated with phlegm turbidity, damp-heat and blood stasis. Clinically, liver constraint with spleen deficiency and internal retention of damp turbidity represent the predominant traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome patterns. Researches have indicated intrinsic connections between the syndrome patterns and biological indicators such as gut microbiota and metabolic profiles. Regarding treatment, classical famous formulas, modern empirical formulas, and newly developed TCM drugs show positive effects in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, improving insulin resistance, and alleviating metabolic inflammation, exhibiting multi-target mechanisms of action; acupuncture and other external therapies also provide adjunctive value. Nevertheless, current researches still have limitations such as the lack of high-quality clinical evidence and insufficient systematic elucidation of the uncerlying mechanisms. Future efforts should focus on conducting high-quality TCM clinical trials with hard endpoint outcomes such as hepatic histology outcomes, and utilizing modern technologies like multi-omics to elucidate TCM's mechanisms of action, thereby advancing the position of TCM as a first-line therapeutic strategy for MASLD.
5.Current Research Status,Challenges,Differentiation and Treatment Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Fengyun WANG ; Mi LYU ; Bingduo ZHOU ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yi WANG ; Tingting XU ; Cong HE ; Xiaokang WANG ; Xin LIU ; Yang WANG ; Kaiyue HUANG ; Lusi XU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):392-396
This article systematically reviews the current research status as well as diagnosis and treatment strategies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Studies demonstrate that TCM, based on the "disease-syndrome combination" approach, exhibits multi-target advantages in alleviating symptoms of various GERD subtypes, promoting mucosal repair, regulating emotions, and facilitating the reduction of western medication. To address clinical challenges such as symptom overlap and limited therapeutic efficacy, strategies have been proposed including "treating different diseases with the same method" and integrated regulation based on viscera correlation. Future efforts should focus on elucidating the mechanisms of compound prescriptions, promoting TCM drug development under the "three-combination" evaluation framework that integrates TCM theory, human experience and clinical trial evidence, and optimizing integrated traditional and western medicine models to enhance GERD management.
6.Overview of Diagnosis,Treatment and Mechanism Research of Functional Dyspepsia by Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Shengsheng ZHANG ; Zhaohong SHI ; Xiaofang LU ; Luqing ZHAO ; Danyan LI ; Shu ZHANG ; Lu ZHAO ; Yudi ZHUO ; Nian WANG ; Fan LIU ; Shuangyi LI ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):397-403
Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a prioritized disease category where traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) demonstrates distinct therapeutic advantages. The current western medicine treatment for FD is mainly based on proton pump inhibitors and prokinetic agents, with digestive enzymes, probiotics and antidepressants serving as adjuvant medication, yet such therapies still have certain limitations. TCM treatment for FD includes oral administration of Chinese herbal formulas and Chinese patent medicines, as well as external TCM therapies such as acupuncture and moxibustion, acupoint application, hot medicinal compress therapy, rubbing with ointment, medicinal iontophoresis, auricular acupoint therapy and tui na (Chinese medical massage). The combined treatment of FD with integrated TCM and western medicine can significantly improve clinical effectiveness and reduce adverse reactions. The common mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of both TCM and western medicine revolve around the core pathological processes of FD, mainly focusing on restoring gastrointestinal motility, regulating the levels of brain-gut peptides, modulating intestinal microecology, and ameliorating inflammatory status. The differential mechanisms lie in the precise targeting feature of western medicine versus the holistic-regulating and multi-target characteristics of TCM, and the two approaches exert a synergistic effect to enhance efficacy. This paper proposes to leverage the advantages of TCM in holistic regulation and the strengths of western medicine in targeted treatment, so as to provide personalized and comprehensive treatment regimens for FD patients.
7.Current Status and Prospects of Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment for Gastric Precancerous Lesions
Haiyan BAI ; Tai ZHANG ; Ping WANG ; Lin LIU ; Weichao XU ; Yaxin TIAN ; Lanshuo HU ; Qian YANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):410-415
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), through its multi-target and systematic regulatory effects, has demonstrated unique advantages in the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions (GPL). At present, TCM theoretical research on GPL is mainly reflected in three aspects, the integration of macroscopic syndrome differentiation, the inflammation-carcinoma transformation mechanism, as well as the systematization and scientization of theoretical inheritance from famous TCM practitioners. High-quality evidence-based research findings serve as the foundation for clinical practice guidelines on GPL, and TCM has gained international academic recognition in the field of GPL prevention and treatment. Research on TCM mechanisms has yielded a series of important outcomes in the aspects of signaling pathways, gene expression regulation, cellular epigenetics, histone modification, and intestinal microecology. It is proposed that future research on GPL should focus on four key directions, establishing multi-omics data, exploring targeted intervention strategies on key regulatory nodes, advancing the standardization process of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine prevention and treatment technologies, and constructing stratified screening and intervention platforms. The in-depth integration of TCM microcosmic mechanism of action with its macroscopic syndrome differentiation and treatment system, coupled with interdisciplinary research, will provide valuable references for the clinical treatment and scientific research of GPL.
8.Clinical Observation on 45 Cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Stable Phase with Qi Deficiency,Blood Stasis and Phlegm Obstruction Syndrome with Auxiliary Treated with Jinwei Guben Decoction (金卫固本汤) Combined with Bailing Capsule (百令胶囊)
Deyu KONG ; Xudong ZHENG ; Huimin ZHOU ; Ruitao WANG ; Benzhang ZHAO ; Jianjun WU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(4):367-375
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of modified Jinwei Guben Decoction (金卫固本汤, MJGD) combined with Bailing Capsule (百令胶囊, BC) in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in the stable stage with qi deficiency, blood stasis and phlegm obstruction syndrome, in addition to conventional western medicine treatment. MethodsA total of 102 patients with stable COPD and qi deficiency, blood stasis, and phlegm obstruction syndrome were included in the study. According to the patients'preferences, they were divided into treatment group (49 cases) and control group (53 cases). The control group received conventional western medicine treatment, while the treatment group was given MJGD (1 dose daily) combined with BC (2.0 g each time, three times a day) additionally. The treatment period was 3 months, and the patients were followed up for 1 year after the treatment. The acute exacerbation frequency (mild, moderate, severe) before treatment, during treatment, at 6-month follow-up, and at 1-year follow-up was compared between groups. Additionally, the lung function indicators such as FEV1, FEV1%pred, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratio, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores before and after treatment were compared. A logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the impact of MJGD combined with BC on clinical efficacy. ResultsFour patients dropped out from the treatment group and eight from the control group, leaving 45 patients of each group for statistical analysis. The number of mild and moderate acute exacerbations in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group during the treatment period, at 6-month follow-up and within 1 year of follow-up (P<0.05) .The number of severe acute exacerbations was only lower in the treatment group than in the control group at 6-month follow-up (P<0.05). Compared with that before treatment, the number of acute exacerbations of all degrees in the treatment group was significantly reduced within 1 year of follow-up (P<0.05),while only the number of mild acute exacerbations in the control group was significantly reduced within 1 year of follow-up (P<0.05). The treatment group showed significant improvement in FEV1 and FEV1%pred and FEV1/FEV, while the control group showed a significant decline in FEV1 and FVC (P<0.05). After treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in TCM syndrome scores, including coughing, sputum, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and fatigue, as well as mMRC and CAT scores (P<0.05), with the treatment group having significantly lower scores than the control group (P<0.05). The overall clinical effective rate of in the treatment group was 93.33% (42/45), significantly higher than that of the control group, 75.56% (34/45, P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the use of MJGD combined with BC (OR = 4.68, 95%CI: 1.15 - 19.09, P = 0.03) was positively correlated with clinical efficacy. ConclusionsIn addition to conventional western medicine treatment, the combination of MJGD and BC can reduce the frequency of acute exacerbations, delay the decline of lung function, improve clinical symptoms, and significantly enhance the clinical efficacy in patients with stable COPD and qi deficiency, blood stasis, and phlegm obstruction syndrome.
9.Clinical Efficacy of Jinwei Pingchuan Decoction in Treatment of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Phlegm-heat Obstruction in Lung Syndrome
Xudong ZHENG ; Deyu KONG ; Benzhang ZHAO ; Huimin ZHOU ; Ruitao WANG ; Jianjun WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):125-133
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Jinwei Pingchuan decoction combined with conventional Western medicine on the number of acute exacerbations, lung function, and clinical symptoms in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with phlegm-heat obstruction in lung syndrome. MethodsA non-randomized controlled trial was conducted to include 60 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD with phlegm-heat obstruction in lung syndrome. Patients were divided into a treatment group and a control group based on whether they received Jinwei Pingchuan decoction, with 30 patients in each group. The treatment group received Jinwei Pingchuan decoction combined with conventional Western medicine therapy, while the control group received conventional Western medicine therapy alone. Both groups received treatment for 7 days. The number of acute exacerbations and lung function indices were followed up and recorded before treatment and three months after treatment. The following outcomes were observed before and after treatment: the number of acute exacerbations, lung function indices (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], percentage of predicted value [FEV1%pred], forced vital capacity [FVC], and FEV1/FVC ratio), the degree of acute exacerbation, TCM syndrome score, COPD assessment test (CAT) score, modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Questionnaire (mMRC) score, C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) count. ResultsAfter 3 months of follow-up, the treatment group showed a significant reduction in the number of acute exacerbations compared with the pre-treatment values (P<0.05). After treatment, the treatment group had fewer acute exacerbations than the control group (P<0.05). The degree of acute exacerbation in the treatment group improved significantly compared with the pre-treatment values (P<0.05). After treatment, the degree of acute exacerbation in the treatment group was improved compared to the control group (P<0.05). Regarding lung function, FEV1, FEV1%pred, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratio increased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values (P<0.05), and similar improvements were observed in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, FEV1 and FVC were higher in the treatment group than the control group (P<0.05). Regarding TCM syndrome scores, the scores for individual symptoms such as wheezing, cough, expectoration, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and fatigue, as well as the total score, decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values (P<0.05). In the control group, the scores for cough, expectoration, chest tightness, fatigue, and palpitation, as well as the total score, also decreased (P<0.05). After treatment, the treatment group showed significantly lower scores for wheezing, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and the total score than the control group (P<0.05). Regarding the CAT score, the scores for cough, expectoration, chest tightness, climbing stairs, going out, activity, and energy, as well as the total score, decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values (P<0.05). In the control group, the scores for cough, expectoration, chest tightness, sleep, energy, and the total score decreased (P<0.05). After treatment, the treatment group showed significantly lower scores for cough, expectoration, chest tightness, activity, and going out than the control group (P<0.05). Regarding the mMRC score, CRP level, and WBC count, all these parameters decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values (P<0.05), and similar reductions were observed in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionJinwei Pingchuan decoction can reduce the number of acute exacerbations and the degree of acute exacerbation in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD with phlegm-heat obstruction in lung syndrome. It also improves lung function and symptoms such as cough and chest tightness, thereby enhancing the quality of life of patients.
10.Clinical Efficacy of Jinwei Pingchuan Decoction in Treatment of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Phlegm-heat Obstruction in Lung Syndrome
Xudong ZHENG ; Deyu KONG ; Benzhang ZHAO ; Huimin ZHOU ; Ruitao WANG ; Jianjun WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):125-133
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Jinwei Pingchuan decoction combined with conventional Western medicine on the number of acute exacerbations, lung function, and clinical symptoms in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with phlegm-heat obstruction in lung syndrome. MethodsA non-randomized controlled trial was conducted to include 60 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD with phlegm-heat obstruction in lung syndrome. Patients were divided into a treatment group and a control group based on whether they received Jinwei Pingchuan decoction, with 30 patients in each group. The treatment group received Jinwei Pingchuan decoction combined with conventional Western medicine therapy, while the control group received conventional Western medicine therapy alone. Both groups received treatment for 7 days. The number of acute exacerbations and lung function indices were followed up and recorded before treatment and three months after treatment. The following outcomes were observed before and after treatment: the number of acute exacerbations, lung function indices (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], percentage of predicted value [FEV1%pred], forced vital capacity [FVC], and FEV1/FVC ratio), the degree of acute exacerbation, TCM syndrome score, COPD assessment test (CAT) score, modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Questionnaire (mMRC) score, C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) count. ResultsAfter 3 months of follow-up, the treatment group showed a significant reduction in the number of acute exacerbations compared with the pre-treatment values (P<0.05). After treatment, the treatment group had fewer acute exacerbations than the control group (P<0.05). The degree of acute exacerbation in the treatment group improved significantly compared with the pre-treatment values (P<0.05). After treatment, the degree of acute exacerbation in the treatment group was improved compared to the control group (P<0.05). Regarding lung function, FEV1, FEV1%pred, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratio increased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values (P<0.05), and similar improvements were observed in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, FEV1 and FVC were higher in the treatment group than the control group (P<0.05). Regarding TCM syndrome scores, the scores for individual symptoms such as wheezing, cough, expectoration, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and fatigue, as well as the total score, decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values (P<0.05). In the control group, the scores for cough, expectoration, chest tightness, fatigue, and palpitation, as well as the total score, also decreased (P<0.05). After treatment, the treatment group showed significantly lower scores for wheezing, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and the total score than the control group (P<0.05). Regarding the CAT score, the scores for cough, expectoration, chest tightness, climbing stairs, going out, activity, and energy, as well as the total score, decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values (P<0.05). In the control group, the scores for cough, expectoration, chest tightness, sleep, energy, and the total score decreased (P<0.05). After treatment, the treatment group showed significantly lower scores for cough, expectoration, chest tightness, activity, and going out than the control group (P<0.05). Regarding the mMRC score, CRP level, and WBC count, all these parameters decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values (P<0.05), and similar reductions were observed in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionJinwei Pingchuan decoction can reduce the number of acute exacerbations and the degree of acute exacerbation in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD with phlegm-heat obstruction in lung syndrome. It also improves lung function and symptoms such as cough and chest tightness, thereby enhancing the quality of life of patients.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail