The American journal of Chinese medicine
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Fermentation is a processing method used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, traditional fermentation methods suffer from poor production control. In contrast, probiotic fermented herbal medicine (PFHM) offers advantages such as the use of pure strains, a controllable process, and the ability to produce a variety of active enzymes during fermentation. ⋯ PFHM has the potential to transfer the metabolic transformation of the effective components of TCM by intestinal flora outside the body during production and preparation, which has a broad application prospect. However, due to the complexity of the chemical composition of TCM, the mechanism of PFHM requires further investigation. Finally, we discuss the prospects of industrializing PFHM, which is essential for promoting the innovation and modernization of TCM.
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Review
Advances in the Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine Using Artificial Intelligence: A Review.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as one of the crystallizations of Chinese wisdom, emphasizes the balance of Yin and Yang to keep the body healthy. Under the theoretical guidance of a holistic view, the diagnostic process in TCM has characteristics of subjectivity, fuzziness, and complexity. ⋯ However, the combination of TCM and AI is still in its infancy and currently faces many challenges. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive discussion of the existing advances, problems, and prospects of the applications of AI technologies in TCM with the hope of promoting a better understanding of the TCM modernization and intellectualization.
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Review
Review on Processing Methods of Toxic Chinese Materia Medica and the Related Mechanisms of Action.
Toxic Chinese materia medica (CMM) has both pharmacological activities and toxic effects. Based on thousands of years of experience in the application of CMMs, people have explored many practical processing methods of CMMs, also known as "Pao Zhi", to reduce/control toxicity and preserve/enhance efficacy. Toxic CMMs have been used throughout China's hospitals. ⋯ This paper summarizes the current understanding and awareness of toxicity and 45 toxic CMMs, the commonly used processing methods of toxic CMMs recorded in the 2020 edition of ChP, and the changes in the chemical component, toxicity, or efficacy profiles after processing. This review may provide useful information for the processing methods of toxic CMMs worldwide. We believe that with an in-depth study and understanding of toxic CMMs combined with a standardized application, the toxicity of CMMs will be predictable and controllable in the future.
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Depression is a highly heterogeneous mental illness. Drug treatment is currently the main therapeutic strategy used in the clinic, but its efficacy is limited by the modulation of a single target, slow onset, and side effects. The gut-brain axis is of increasing interest because intestinal microenvironment disorders increase susceptibility to depression. ⋯ Here, we present an overview of how the Chinese materia medica (CMM) protects against depression by repairing intestinal microenvironment homeostasis. We review the past five years of research progress in classical antidepressant TCM formulae and single CMMs on regulating the intestinal microenvironment for the treatment of depression. We then analyze and clarify the multitarget functions of CMM in repairing intestinal homeostasis and aim to provide a new theoretical basis for CMM clinical application in the treatment of depression.
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SARS-CoV-2 has posed a threat to the health of people around the world because of its strong transmission and high virulence. Currently, there is no specific medicine for the treatment of COVID-19. However, for a wide variety of medicines used to treat COVID-19, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays a major role. ⋯ Normally, flavonoids boost the body's immune system. However, they can suppress the immune system when over immunized. Ultimately, this study hopes to provide a reference for the clinical drug treatment of COVID-19 patients, and more TCM can be put into the market accordingly, which is expected to promote the development of TCM on the international stage.