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Frontiers in Public Health 2021This study was aimed to find and appraise the available published pharmacoeconomic research on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to identify related issues and make...
This study was aimed to find and appraise the available published pharmacoeconomic research on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to identify related issues and make suggestions for improvement in future research. After developing a search strategy and establishing inclusion and exclusion criteria, pharmacoeconomic studies on TCM were sourced from seven Chinese and English databases from inception to April 2020. Basic information about the studies and key pharmacoeconomic items of each study were extracted. The quality of each study was evaluated by using the British Medical Journal economic submissions checklist for authors and peer reviewers, focusing on factors such as study design, research time horizon, sample size, perspective, and evaluation methods. A total of 431 published pharmacoeconomic articles with 434 studies on topics including cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, cost-minimization, cost-utility, or combination analyses were identified and included in this review. Of these, 424 were published in Chinese and 7 in English. These studies conducted economic evaluations of 264 Chinese patent medicines and 70 types of TCM prescriptions for 143 diseases, including those of the central nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, gynecologyical, and other systems. The studied TCMs included blood-activating agents (such as Xuesaitong tablet, Fufant Danshen tablet, and Danhong Injection), blood circulation promoting agents (such as Shuxuetong injection, Rupixiao tablet, and Fufang Danshen injection), and other therapeutic agents. The overall quality score of the studies was 0.62 (range 0.38 to 0.85). The mean quality score of studies in English was 0.72, which was higher than that of studies in Chinese with 0.62. The quality of pharmacoeconomic studies on TCM was relatively, generally low. Major concerns included study design, inappropriate pharmacoeconomic evaluation, insufficient sample size, or non-scientific assessment. Enhanced methodological training and cooperation, the development of a targeted pharmacoeconomic evaluation guideline, and proposal of a reasonable health outcome index are warranted to improve quality of future studies.
Topics: China; Economics, Medical; Economics, Pharmaceutical; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Research Design
PubMed: 34414159
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.706366 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Apr 2023Pueraria Flos (PF), a traditional herbal medicine, is botanically from the dried flowers of Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi. (Chinese: ) or Pueraria thomsonii Benth.... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Pueraria Flos (PF), a traditional herbal medicine, is botanically from the dried flowers of Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi. (Chinese: ) or Pueraria thomsonii Benth. (Chinese: ). It has a long history of thousands of years in China for awakening the spleen, clearing the lungs, relieving alcohol.
AIM OF THE REVIEW
This review aims to report the up-to-date research progress in ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, metabolism and therapeutic application of PF, so as to provide a strong basis for future clinical treatment and scientific research.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Relevant information on PF was collected from scientific literature databases including PubMed, CNKI and other literature sources (Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations and Chinese herbal classic books) by using the keyword "Puerariae".
RESULTS
Briefly, phytochemical research report has isolated 39 flavonoids, 19 saponins and 25 volatile oils from PF. Flavonoids and saponins are the most important bioactive compounds, and most of the quality control studies focus on these two types of compounds. Modern pharmacological studies have revealed their significant biological activities in relieving alcoholism, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidation, which provides theoretical support for the traditional use.
CONCLUSIONS
Comprehensive analysis showed that pharmacological activity of most purified compounds from PF had not been reported. Kakkalide, tectoridin and their deglycosylated metabolites (irisolidone and tectorigenin) has been focused on excessively due to their higher content and better activities. This leads to low development and resources waste. Interestingly, PF made a breakthrough in the field of food. Many kinds of fat-lowering foods such as PILLBOX Onaka have been popular in Japan market, which received extensive attention. Therefore, we suggest that future research can be paid attention on the development of the plant's function in the field of food and medicine, as well as the transformation from experimental to clinical.
Topics: Pueraria; Ethnopharmacology; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Flavonoids; Flowers; Saponins; Phytochemicals; Medicine, Chinese Traditional
PubMed: 36621660
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.116089 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Oct 2021The association of acculturation with health among immigrant populations is believed to be mediated, in part, by acculturation-related stress and stress biology.
BACKGROUND
The association of acculturation with health among immigrant populations is believed to be mediated, in part, by acculturation-related stress and stress biology.
OBJECTIVES
To review and qualitatively synthesize empirical findings on the relationship of acculturation with stress-related inflammatory and endocrine biomarkers and composite allostatic load (AL) scores.
METHODS
A literature search was performed in the PubMed and PsycInfo databases. Article titles, abstracts or full-texts were screened and checked for match with the search criteria. Studies were eligible if they empirically tested the relationship between acculturation and inflammatory/endocrine stress biomarkers or composite AL scores, and were published in the English language.
RESULTS
Among the 41 articles identified as relevant and included in this review, the majority were published after 2010, included adult Hispanic U.S.-based populations, used cross-sectional study designs, operationalized acculturation as a unidimensional construct, and varied considerably in the selection of covariates in the analyses. Acculturation was significantly associated with stress biomarkers in 29 studies, but the direction of effects varied across studies. Specifically, acculturation, operationalized as a higher orientation towards the host culture, was associated with inflammatory biomarkers in 10 of 14 studies, with endocrine stress biomarkers in 12 of 20 studies, and with composite AL scores in 7 of 8 studies. Overall, language-based proxy measures of acculturation were related to higher levels of stress-related inflammatory and endocrine biomarkers and to lower levels of AL scores, whereas nativity-, generation status- and length of stay-based proxy measures of acculturation were related to higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers and AL score.
DISCUSSION
The majority of studies reported associations between measures of acculturation and stress biomarkers, however the directions of effects varied across studies. We suggest this heterogeneity may, in part, be a function of limitations imposed by cross-sectional research designs and unidimensional measures of acculturation measures, and we highlight the need for longitudinal studies and use of multidimensional measures of acculturation to better uncover the biobehavioral mechanisms and pathways linking acculturation with health outcomes.
Topics: Acculturation; Adult; Biomarkers; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 34246155
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105349 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Nov 2021Aucklandiae Radix (AR) and Vladimiriae Radix (VR), as commonly used traditional Chinese herbal medicine, were widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases....
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Aucklandiae Radix (AR) and Vladimiriae Radix (VR), as commonly used traditional Chinese herbal medicine, were widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The two herbal medicines were warm, pungent and bitter. They entered the spleen, stomach, large intestine and gallbladder meridians, and had the effect of promoting qi circulation to relieve pain. It is usually used for chest and hypochondrium, abdominal fullness and pain, tenesmus, indigestion, and warming the middle to harmonize the stomach in clinically.
AIM OF THIS REVIEW
To provide a reference for the identification of traditional use, the material basis of efficacy and preclinical research between AR and VR, this review systematically summarized the similarities and differences in ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and modern pharmacology.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The literature information was collected systematically from the electronic scientific databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Geen Medical, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, as well as other literature sources, such as classic books of herbal medicine, master's thesis, doctoral thesis.
RESULTS
In the plateau areas of Sichuan Province, VR used to be regarded as substitute or local habit for AR, which is regularly used for chest, abdominal fullness and pain, diarrhea, and other related diseases. In Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP) 2020 edition, 145 prescription preparations with AR were collected, such as Xianglian Wan, Muxiang Shunqi Wan, Liuwei Muxiang San. However, only one prescription preparation (Jiuxiang Zhitong Wan) contained VR. Additionally, 237 and 254 chemical components were separately isolated and identified from AR and VR, 69 kinds of compounds were common among them, and the significant differences were presented in sesquiterpene lactones, monoterpenoids, triterpenoids and phenylpropanoids. Moreover, Costunolide (COS) and Dehydrocostus lactone (DEH), two main research objects of modern pharmacology, showed multiple pharmacological activities. Not only could they inhibit the activity of some cancer cells (such as breast cancer and leukemia cells), but they regulated the levels of various inflammatory factors (including TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6) and repressed the growth and reproduction of various microorganisms (like Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus aureus).
CONCLUSION
COS and DEH as the common active components, provide a certain basis for local medicine about the substitution of VR for AR in Sichuan province of China in the past. In addition, the sesquiterpenoids are the main common compounds in AR and VR by collecting and collating a large number of literature and various data websites. Furthermore, AR and VR have significant differences in ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry, especially in sesquiterpene lactones, monoterpenoids, triterpenoids and phenylpropanoids, and are probably viewed as reference of a separate list of AR and VR in Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
Topics: Animals; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Phytochemicals; Phytotherapy; Plant Roots; Saussurea; Sesquiterpenes
PubMed: 34186101
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114372 -
Pharmaceutical Biology Dec 2024Tanzania has rich medicinal plant (MP) resources, and most rural inhabitants rely on traditional healing practices for their primary healthcare needs. However, available... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Tanzania has rich medicinal plant (MP) resources, and most rural inhabitants rely on traditional healing practices for their primary healthcare needs. However, available research evidence on antimalarial MPs is highly fragmented in the country.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review compiles ethnomedicinal research evidence on MPs used by Tanzanians as antimalarials.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic web search was conducted using various electronic databases and grey materials to gather relevant information on antimalarial MPs utilized by Tanzanians. The review was per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The data were collected from 25 articles, and MS Excel software was used to analyse relevant ethnobotanical information using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS
A total of 227 MPs belonging to 67 botanical families and 180 genera were identified. Fabaceae (15.9%) is the most frequently utilized family. The ethnobotanical recipes analysis indicated leaves (40%) and trees (44%) are the preferred MPs part and life form, respectively. Decoctions (67%) are the dominant preparation method of remedies. Of the recorded MPs, 25.9% have been scientifically investigated for antimalarial activities with positive results. However, 74.1% of MPs have no scientific records on antimalarial activities, but they could be potential sources of remedies.
CONCLUSIONS
The study discloses a wealth of antimalarial MPs possessed by Tanzanians and suggests a need for research to authenticate the healing potential of antimalarial compounds from the unstudied MPs. Additionally, it indicates that some of the presented MPs are potential sources for developing safe, effective and affordable antimalarial drugs.
Topics: Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Antimalarials; Ethnobotany; Medicine, Traditional; East African People
PubMed: 38270178
DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2024.2305453 -
Reviews on Environmental Health Sep 2021Despite the high prevalence of coronavirus and various treatment approaches, including complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), there is still no definitive...
OBJECTIVES
Despite the high prevalence of coronavirus and various treatment approaches, including complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), there is still no definitive treatment for coronavirus. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of CAM interventions on COVID-19 patients.
CONTENT
Four databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE) were searched from the inception of databases until July 16, 2020. Keywords included complementary and alternative medicine therapies and Coronavirus.
SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK
Of the 1,137 studies searched, 14 studies performed on 972 COVID-19 patients entered the systematic review final stage. The results showed that different CAM interventions (acupuncture, Traditional Chinese medicine [TCM], relaxation, Qigong) significantly improved various psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, negative emotions, quality of life) and physical symptoms (inflammatory factors, physical activity, chest pain, and respiratory function) in COVID-19 patients. The results showed that various CAM interventions have a positive effect on improving the various dimensions of coronavirus disease but since there are few studies in this regard, further studies using different CAM approaches are recommended.
Topics: COVID-19; Complementary Therapies; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Mental Health; Mind-Body Therapies; Quality of Life; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33838089
DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0012 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jul 2022As a folk medicine, Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai (Ranunculaceae) a perennial herbaceous flowering plant, is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine. Its rhizomes and... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
As a folk medicine, Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai (Ranunculaceae) a perennial herbaceous flowering plant, is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine. Its rhizomes and roots are known as 'Gaowutou' in China, and it has been traditionally used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, painful swelling of joints, bruises and injuries and has been known to grow well in regions of high altitude such as Gansu, Tibet etc. THE AIM OF THE REVIEW: This systematic review the comprehensive knowledge of the A. sinomontanum, including its traditional processing and uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, toxicity assessment, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, and its use in clinical settings to emphasize the benefits of this species. We also discuss expectations for prospective research and implementation of this herb. This work lays a solid foundation for further development of A. sinomontanum.
MATERIALS AND METHOD
Information on the studies of A. sinomontanum was collected from scientific journals, books, and reports via library and electronic data search (PubMed, Elsevier, Scopus, Google Scholar, Springer, Science Direct, Wiley, ACS, EMBASE, Web of Science and CNKI). Meanwhile, it was also obtained from published works of material medica, folk records, ethnopharmacological literatures, Ph.D. and Masters dissertation.
RESULTS
As a member of the Ranunculaceae family, A. sinomontanum possesses its up-and-coming biological characteristics. It is widely reported for treating rheumatoid arthritis, painful swelling of joints, bruises and injuries. Currently, over 71 phytochemical ingredients have been obtained and identified from different parts of A. sinomontanum. Among them, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides are the major bioactive constituents. Activities such as antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiarrhythmic, local anesthetic, antipyretic, antimicrobial, insecticidal and others have been corroborated in vivo and in vitro. These properties are attributed to different alkaloids. In addition, many of the active ingredients, such as lappaconitine, ranaconitine and total alkaloids have been used as quality markers.
CONCLUSION
This work contributes to update the ethnopharmacological uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, toxicity assessment, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, and clinical settings information for A. sinomontanum, which provide basic information to help better understand the pharmacological and toxicological activities of A. sinomontanum in human. However, further in-depth studies are needed to determine the medical uses of this herb and its chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, clinical applications and toxicology.
Topics: Aconitum; Alkaloids; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Contusions; Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Prospective Studies; Ranunculaceae
PubMed: 35469829
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115317 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Aug 2023Hip joint-preserving treatment options for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) have been a research hotspot in recent years. The combination of Chinese and Western... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Hip joint-preserving treatment options for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) have been a research hotspot in recent years. The combination of Chinese and Western medicine has been used in clinical practice to treat early- and mid-stage ONFH. However, there is still a lack of high-quality evidence to verify the effectiveness and safety of this approach.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the combination of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western medicine in the treatment of early- and mid-stage ONFH.
METHODS
Multiple electronic databases were searched to identify the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the use of TCM in the treatment of ONFH. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eligible studies were selected, and the quality of the studies was evaluated using the risk of bias assessment tool recommended by the Cochrane system Evaluator manual 5.1.0. The meta-analysis of the included data was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 software and Stata 17.0 software.
RESULTS
A total of 47 RCTs involving 3266 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. The results are observed: (1) Harris score: TCM + Western medicine versus Western medicine (SMD = 1.25, 95% Cl: 1.02 to 1.48, P < 0.00001), TCM + physiotherapy versus physiotherapy (SMD = 2.26, 95% Cl: 1.42 to 3.10, P < 0.00001), and TCM + hip preservation surgery versus hip preservation surgery (SMD = 1.28, 95% Cl: 1.03 to 1.53, P < 0.00001); (2) Visual analogue scale score: TCM + Western medicine versus Western medicine (SMD = -3.99, 95% Cl: -7.41 to -0.57, P = 0.02), TCM + physiotherapy versus physiotherapy (SMD = -0.99, 95% Cl: -1.44 to -0.54, P < 0.0001), and TCM + hip preservation surgery versus hip preservation surgery (SMD = -1.08, 95% Cl: -1.75 to -0.40, P = 0.002); (3) Imaging improvement: TCM + physiotherapy versus physiotherapy (RR = 1.42, 95% Cl: 1.15 to 1.76, P = 0.001) and TCM + hip preservation surgery versus hip preservation surgery (RR = 1.21, 95% Cl: 1.11 to 1.31, P < 0.0001); and (4) Occurrence of adverse reaction: TCM + Western medicine versus Western medicine (RR = 0.73, 95% Cl: 0.28 to 1.92, P = 0.53), TCM + physiotherapy versus physiotherapy (RR = 0.46, 95% Cl: 0.03 to 7.33, P = 0.58), and TCM + hip preservation surgery versus hip preservation surgery (RR = 1.11, 95% Cl: 0.36 to 3.45, P = 0.86).
CONCLUSION
TCM combined with Western medicine is an effective and safe approach for the treatment of ONFH. However, due to the low quality and quantity of the included studies, additional large-scale, high-quality studies are required to verify the above conclusions.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails , CRD42023392030.
Topics: Humans; Femur Head; Femur Head Necrosis; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37580744
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04086-9 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jan 2024Condyloma acuminatum (CA) is a common sexually transmitted disease. Previous studies using randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have revealed that Paiteling (PTL), a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Condyloma acuminatum (CA) is a common sexually transmitted disease. Previous studies using randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have revealed that Paiteling (PTL), a Chinese patent medicine formula, can effectively relieve CA symptoms. However, the evidence needs to be more cohesive and there is a need for a clear summary of the existing RCTs to assess the overall efficacy and safety profile of PTL.
AIMS OF THE STUDY
This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of RCTs, to examine the efficacy of PTL and physical therapies in CA.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A literature search was conducted in multiple databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, etc. up to December 1, 2022. Revman 5.4 and Stata 15.0 was used for data statistics and sensitivity analyses.
RESULTS
31 trials with a total of 2868 patients were included in this review. The results showed that PTL plus physical therapies were significantly more effective than physical therapies used alone (RR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.38, 1.86]; P < 0.00001). Subgroup analysis showed that the type of physical therapies, gender, and wart location might be the primary sources of heterogeneity. Additionally, PTL can reduce recurrence rates (RR = 0.27, 95% CI [0.19, 0.39]; P < 0.00001), improve the negative conversion rate of HPV (RR = 1.15, 95% CI [1.02, 1.30]; P = 0.02), and improve immune function. No severe adverse reactions or physical injuries were observed, making it a better choice for women planning to become pregnant.
CONCLUSION
Compared with physical therapies, PTL can effectively eliminate CA symptoms and reduce the recurrence rates with safety ensured. However, due to the heterogeneity and methodological shortcomings, large sample sizes and high-quality rigorous RTCs are still needed to strengthen this clinical evidence.
Topics: Female; Humans; Nonprescription Drugs; Medicine, East Asian Traditional
PubMed: 37517567
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116894 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a class of natural drugs with multiple components and significant therapeutic effects through multiple targets. It also originates... (Review)
Review
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a class of natural drugs with multiple components and significant therapeutic effects through multiple targets. It also originates from a wide range of sources containing plants, animals and minerals, and among them, plant-based Chinese medicine also includes fungi. Fungal traditional Chinese medicine is a medicinal resource with a long history and widespread application in China. Accumulating evidence confirms that polysaccharide is the main pharmacodynamic material on which fungal TCM is based. The purpose of the current systematic review is to summarize the extraction, isolation, structural identification, biological functions, quality control and medicinal and edible applications of polysaccharides from fungal TCM in the past three years. This paper will supplement and deepen the understanding and application of polysaccharides from fungal TCM, and propose some valuable insights for further research and development of drugs and functional foods.
Topics: Animals; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Polysaccharides; Quality Control; China
PubMed: 37836659
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28196816