About this Research Topic

Background

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with a history of thousands of years, has made a significant contribution to human healthcare. It is gaining popularity internationally in other Asian and western countries due to its unique theories and rich experience over the past 2000 years. The classic formula of TCM, with the clear and verifiable scientific literature on historical usage, is generally recognized as being from ancient medical books such as Treatise on Febrile Diseases (Shang Han Lun), Synopsis of the Golden Chamber (Jin Gui Yao Lue), etc. As TCM is also popular in Japan and Korea, the classic formula of TCM is also widely used in traditional Japanese Kampo medicine and traditional Korean medicine. It has the characteristics of fixed components, a clear curative effect with fewer adverse effects in clinical treatment. TCM has made a substantial contribution to well-being including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, T2DM, tumors, COVID-19, etc. For promising drugs and candidates, scientists have turned to natural herbs and TCM classic herbal formulas due to the challenge of 'improving investments and declining drug approvals' in drug research and development.

Currently, several paradigms in clinical and translation research of the classic formula of TCM, including Maxingshigan decoction for H1N1 influenza virus and COVID-19, Gegenqinlian decoction for T2DM, Tianma Gauteng decoction for hypertension, Hemp Seed pill for functional constipation, rikkunshito (Liujunzi decoction) for cisplatin-induced anorexia, yokukansan (Yi gan san) for dementia, etc, highlight the tremendous progress and advances in this field. Furthermore, a great amount of clinical evidence provided some biological functions and potential mechanisms of the classic formula of TCM. However, considering the difficulty of retrieving and learning Chinese original documents, the poor methodological quality of original clinical studies including a high risk of bias, unclear outcome measures, lacking pre-registration in an international database, and poor description of the preparation to be used in the intervention, lacking high-level clinical recommendation evidence, and insufficient data reports on toxicology, pharmacological effects, and adverse effects, quite several classic formulae of TCM have been regarded as “mystery” to modern science. Accordingly, more clinical and experimental data are still warranted to verify their application value. Herein, we propose to provide an academic platform on the topic of “Clinical Evidence and Translational Medicine Research of TCM Classic Herbal Formula”. We expect that the issue we propose may hopefully encourage further exploration of new pieces of evidence and novel approaches in the application of the classic formula for the treatment of various diseases.

This research topic aims to publish original research and review articles that explore potential topics, including but not limited to the following:

• Clinical studies of TCM classic formula for a clinical recommendation.

• Literature research including systematic review and/or meta-analysis of TCM classic formulas.

• In vivo or in vitro studies of TCM classic formula to explore new molecular mechanisms.

• Novel strategies including artificial intelligence and computer-aided design to discover the potential active mechanism of the TCM classic formula. Network pharmacology research is not encouraged.

• Modified TCM classic formula and the main active ingredients with evidence-based practice through scientific studies to assess their roles.

• All literature, clinical and basic research on classic formulas of traditional Japanese Kampo medicine and traditional Korean medicine which originated from TCM were also encouraged.

• All submissions need to meet our guidelines-the for four pillars of best practice in ethics (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/sections/ethnopharmacology/about). Importantly, please ascertain that the ethnopharmacological context is clearly described (pillar 3d) and that the material investigated is characterized in detail (pillars 2 a and b and the ConPhyMP statement: Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.953205). Purely in silico studies like network analyses and docking studies are outside of our scope.

Keywords: Traditional Chinese medicine; Herbal medicine; Classic herbal formula

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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