Acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation (ADMH) is a group of diseases clinically characterized by grayish-black macules and patches, with pigment predominantly deposited in the dermis. ADMH includes Riehl's melanosis, lichen planus pigmentosus, and erythema dyschromicum perstans/ashy dermatosis. In light of the remarkable similarities in both morphological and histopathological characteristics among this group of diseases, the academic community has recently proposed the new nosological term "acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation" to achieve integration and unified classification of these related disorders. This review comprehensively elaborates on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of ADMH, including clinical manifestations, dermoscopic findings, pathological characteristics, and treatment progress.

Nuanjian Jian(Decoction for Warming Liver Meridian),originating from Jing Yue Quan Shu(Jingyue's Complete Works)written by Zhang Jingyue,is composed of Angelicae Sinensis Radix(Danggui),Lycii Fructus(Gouqizi),Poria(Fuling),Fructus Foeniculi(Xiaohuixiang),Cinnamomi Cortex(Rougui),Linderae Radix(Wuyao),and Aquilariae Lignum Resinatumd(Chenxiang)or Aucklandiae Radix(Muxiang).Nuanjian Jian is a widely-used classical formula for warming the liver and kidneys,promoting qi circulation and alleviating pain.It was included in the Ancient Classical Formulas Catalog(First Batch)published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2018,and was primarily used to treat lower abdominal pain,hernia,and other disorders differentiated as the syndrome of cold stagnation in the liver and kidneys.Based on the principles of key information verification for classical formulas,this article systematically reviewed the ancient and modern literature on Nuangan Jian,and conducted a comprehensive textual research and analysis of its origin,composition,dosage,method of making a decoction and taking medicines,processing,modifications,historical and modern applications,and experimental studies.The study concluded that the composition and dosage of this formula are relatively clear.The contemporary single-dose equivalents are calculated as Danggui 9.33 g,Gouqizi 11.19 g,Fuling 7.46 g,Xiaohuixiang 7.46 g,Rougui 5.60 g,Wuyao 7.46 g,and Chenxiang 3.73 g.The decoction is prepared by adding 300 mL of water and 4 g of ginger,boiling until reduced to 140 mL,and taken 2-3 times daily,2 hours after meals.Modern practitioners have expanded the indications of this formula,extending its use from hernia and lower abdominal pain to various disorders in andrology,gynecology,and gastroenterology.The indications have the core pathogenesis of cold stagnation in the liver meridian,and usually affect the liver while also involve the spleen,kidneys,and lower energizer.Diseases of the lower abdomen,genitals,and breasts belonging to the region of the liver-meridian route,are also commonly treated with Nuangan Jian.The findings of this study provide a reference for the further development of this classical formula.

Acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation (ADMH) is a group of diseases clinically characterized by grayish-black macules and patches, with pigment predominantly deposited in the dermis. ADMH includes Riehl's melanosis, lichen planus pigmentosus, and erythema dyschromicum perstans/ashy dermatosis. In light of the remarkable similarities in both morphological and histopathological characteristics among this group of diseases, the academic community has recently proposed the new nosological term "acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation" to achieve integration and unified classification of these related disorders. This review comprehensively elaborates on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of ADMH, including clinical manifestations, dermoscopic findings, pathological characteristics, and treatment progress.

Objective:To analyze factors influencing the melasma severity, and to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment modalities.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from patients diagnosed with melasma at the Pigmentary Disorders Specialty Clinic in the Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from July 2018 to December 2023. Patients' Fitzpatrick skin types, lesion color, locations and subtypes were evaluated by dermatologists, the melasma area and severity index (MASI) scores were calculated, and ΔMASI scores (baseline MASI scores - post-treatment MASI scores) were used for efficacy evaluation. The t test and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze factors influencing the severity of melasma, the paired t test was used to analyze the differences in MASI scores before and after treatment, and a multivariate linear regression model was established to analyze factors influencing the efficacy in the treatment of melasma. Results:A total of 254 patients (including 249 females, 98.0%) with melasma were included, with ages of 40.8 ± 6.1 years. The Fitzpatrick skin type was Ⅲ in 213 (83.9%) patients, and Ⅳ in 41 (16.1%) patients; 180 (70.9%) patients lacked the habit of using sunscreens regularly. According to the location of pigment deposition, 166 cases (65.4%) were classified as epidermal type, and 88 (34.6%) as mixed type. Pigmented lesions were located on the cheek (174 cases, 68.5%), midface (26 cases, 10.2%), or lower jaw (54 cases, 21.3%), with periorbital involvement observed in 127 cases (50.0%). Before treatment, baseline MASI scores were significantly higher in the skin type Ⅳ group (19.75 ± 5.08) than in the skin type Ⅲ group (14.47 ± 4.18, P < 0.001), in the non-sunscreen users (16.45 ± 4.61) than in the sunscreen users (12.59 ± 3.91, P < 0.001), in the epidermal type group (15.99 ± 4.82) than in the mixed type group (14.07 ± 4.35, P < 0.001), in the mandibular type group (18.37 ± 5.14) than in the midfacial type group (14.23 ± 3.46, P < 0.001) and malar type group (14.54 ± 4.40, P < 0.001), as well as in the patients with periorbital involvement (16.54 ± 4.90) than in those without (14.10 ± 4.26, P < 0.001). According to the main treatment regimens, the patients were divided into the topical 2% hydroquinone group (109 cases, topically treated with 2% hydroquinone cream nightly), topical non-hydroquinone skin-lightening agents group (36 cases, topically treated with non-hydroquinone skin-lightening or exfoliating agents), oral tranexamic acid group (50 cases, treated with oral tranexamic acid 250 mg twice daily), and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) chemical peeling group (30 cases, receiving AHA chemical peeling treatment monthly with the AHA concentration escalating from 20% to 50%). After treatment, MASI scores were significantly reduced from baseline in all the 4 groups (all P < 0.001), and the ΔMASI values significantly differed among the topical 2% hydroquinone group, topical non-hydroquinone skin-lightening agents group, oral tranexamic acid group, and AHA chemical peeling group (1.65 ± 2.19, 1.40 ± 2.16, 4.58 ± 3.09, 3.39 ± 3.61, respectively, F = 17.40, P < 0.001). The oral tranexamic acid group and AHA chemical peeling group showed significantly superior efficacy compared to the topical 2% hydroquinone group and topical non-hydroquinone skin-lightening agents group (all P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the efficacy between the oral tranexamic acid group and the AHA chemical peeling group ( P > 0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders in the multivariate linear regression model, the oral tranexamic acid group (β = 2.64) and AHA chemical peeling group (β = 1.55) still showed significantly superior efficacy compared to the topical 2% hydroquinone group (both P < 0.05) ; the skin type Ⅳ group exhibited significantly superior efficacy compared to the skin type Ⅲ group (β = 1.87, P < 0.001) . Conclusions:Dark skin color, lack of sun protection habits, epidermal melasma, and mandibular-type melasma, and periorbital involvement were associated factors for the severity of melasma. Oral tranexamic acid and AHA chemical peeling appeared to exhibit superior efficacy compared to topical 2% hydroquinone cream and topical non-hydroquinone skin-lightening agents.

Objective:To analyze factors influencing the melasma severity, and to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment modalities.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from patients diagnosed with melasma at the Pigmentary Disorders Specialty Clinic in the Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from July 2018 to December 2023. Patients' Fitzpatrick skin types, lesion color, locations and subtypes were evaluated by dermatologists, the melasma area and severity index (MASI) scores were calculated, and ΔMASI scores (baseline MASI scores - post-treatment MASI scores) were used for efficacy evaluation. The t test and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze factors influencing the severity of melasma, the paired t test was used to analyze the differences in MASI scores before and after treatment, and a multivariate linear regression model was established to analyze factors influencing the efficacy in the treatment of melasma. Results:A total of 254 patients (including 249 females, 98.0%) with melasma were included, with ages of 40.8 ± 6.1 years. The Fitzpatrick skin type was Ⅲ in 213 (83.9%) patients, and Ⅳ in 41 (16.1%) patients; 180 (70.9%) patients lacked the habit of using sunscreens regularly. According to the location of pigment deposition, 166 cases (65.4%) were classified as epidermal type, and 88 (34.6%) as mixed type. Pigmented lesions were located on the cheek (174 cases, 68.5%), midface (26 cases, 10.2%), or lower jaw (54 cases, 21.3%), with periorbital involvement observed in 127 cases (50.0%). Before treatment, baseline MASI scores were significantly higher in the skin type Ⅳ group (19.75 ± 5.08) than in the skin type Ⅲ group (14.47 ± 4.18, P < 0.001), in the non-sunscreen users (16.45 ± 4.61) than in the sunscreen users (12.59 ± 3.91, P < 0.001), in the epidermal type group (15.99 ± 4.82) than in the mixed type group (14.07 ± 4.35, P < 0.001), in the mandibular type group (18.37 ± 5.14) than in the midfacial type group (14.23 ± 3.46, P < 0.001) and malar type group (14.54 ± 4.40, P < 0.001), as well as in the patients with periorbital involvement (16.54 ± 4.90) than in those without (14.10 ± 4.26, P < 0.001). According to the main treatment regimens, the patients were divided into the topical 2% hydroquinone group (109 cases, topically treated with 2% hydroquinone cream nightly), topical non-hydroquinone skin-lightening agents group (36 cases, topically treated with non-hydroquinone skin-lightening or exfoliating agents), oral tranexamic acid group (50 cases, treated with oral tranexamic acid 250 mg twice daily), and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) chemical peeling group (30 cases, receiving AHA chemical peeling treatment monthly with the AHA concentration escalating from 20% to 50%). After treatment, MASI scores were significantly reduced from baseline in all the 4 groups (all P < 0.001), and the ΔMASI values significantly differed among the topical 2% hydroquinone group, topical non-hydroquinone skin-lightening agents group, oral tranexamic acid group, and AHA chemical peeling group (1.65 ± 2.19, 1.40 ± 2.16, 4.58 ± 3.09, 3.39 ± 3.61, respectively, F = 17.40, P < 0.001). The oral tranexamic acid group and AHA chemical peeling group showed significantly superior efficacy compared to the topical 2% hydroquinone group and topical non-hydroquinone skin-lightening agents group (all P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the efficacy between the oral tranexamic acid group and the AHA chemical peeling group ( P > 0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders in the multivariate linear regression model, the oral tranexamic acid group (β = 2.64) and AHA chemical peeling group (β = 1.55) still showed significantly superior efficacy compared to the topical 2% hydroquinone group (both P < 0.05) ; the skin type Ⅳ group exhibited significantly superior efficacy compared to the skin type Ⅲ group (β = 1.87, P < 0.001) . Conclusions:Dark skin color, lack of sun protection habits, epidermal melasma, and mandibular-type melasma, and periorbital involvement were associated factors for the severity of melasma. Oral tranexamic acid and AHA chemical peeling appeared to exhibit superior efficacy compared to topical 2% hydroquinone cream and topical non-hydroquinone skin-lightening agents.

ObjectiveTo investigate the alleviating effect of calcium cyanamide （CaCN₂） soil fumigation on replanting problems of Rehmannia glutinosa. MethodsNewly soil （NP） was used as the control group， while three treatment groups were established： replanted soil （RP）， newly soil treated with CaCN₂ （120 g·m²， tillage depth 25 cm） （NPCC）， and replanted soil treated with CaCN₂ （RPCC）. R. glutinosa was cultivated in all groups. At harvest， the tuber agronomic traits （number of enlarged roots， maximum root diameter， fresh weight， dry weight） were measured. The content of catalpol and rehmannioside D was quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography （UPLC） to evaluate medicinal quality. Rhizosphere soil available nutrients and enzyme activities were analyzed by assay kits. The community structure and composition of fungi and bacteria in rhizosphere soil were assessed via internal transcribed spacer 2 （ITS2） sequencing and 16S rDNA sequencing， respectively. ResultsCompared with NP， the RP group showed obviously reduced in tuber agronomic traits and quality indicators （P0.05）. However， the RPCC group showed significant improvement in agronomic traits and a notable increase in rehmannioside D content compared to RP （P0.05）. The contents of available phosphorus and potassium in RPCC and NP groups were obviously lower than those in RP （P0.05）. The polyphenol oxidase soil （S-PPO） activity in RP was obviously lower than in NP （P0.05）， while sucrose soil （S-SC）， acid phosphatase soil （S-ACP）， and S-PPO activities in RPCC were obviously higher than in RP （P0.05）. Microbial richness and diversity in RP were obviously higher than in NP （P0.05）， whereas no significant differences were observed between the RPCC and NP. The relative abundances of fungal genera Nectria， Myrothecium， Tomentella， and bacterial genus Skermanella were obviousl lower in RPCC and NP than in RP （P0.05）. Correlation analysis that S-ACP activity was positively correlated with the content of rehmannioside D （P0.05）. Fungal genera Engyodontium and Alternaria， and bacterial genera Pir4 lineage， Pirellula， Methyloversatilis， Brevundimonas， Ralstonia， and Acidibacter were obviously positively correlated with tuber dry weight （P0.05）. Conversely， fungal genera Pseudaleuria， Nectria， Haematonectria， Ceratobasidium， and bacterial genera Streptomyces， Skermanella， RB41， Gemmatimonas， and Bacillus were obviously negatively correlated with dry weight （P0.05）. The fungal genus Alternaria and bacterial genera Brevundimonas， Ralstonia， Acidibacter， and Dongia showed positive correlations with medicinal quality of R.glutinosa tuber， while fungal genera Pseudaleuria， Nectria， Stachybotrys， Fusarium， Gibberella， Ceratobasidium， and bacterial genera Sphingomonas， Skermanella， RB41， Gemmatimonas， and Bacillus were obviously negatively correlated （P0.05）. ConclusionCaCN₂ soil fumigation can significantly improve enzyme activities in replanted Rehmannia rhizosphere soil， enhance the utilization of available nutrients， reshape microbial community structure of replanted R.glutinosa at the family and genus level， and notably improve tuber agronomic traits and medicinal quality. This study provides a novel approach to alleviating replanting problems and offers insights for the integrated development of standardized cultivation techniques， including soil disinfection， nutrient-targeted regulation， and microbial inoculant application.

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.

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.

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.

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.