Traditional Chinese medicine has a strong scientific basis, but the science of these important preparations is often rarely discussed. Western approaches often simplify traditional Chinese medicine to drug discovery in Chinese plants, however, the majority of traditional Chinese medications use complex mixtures of plant extracts, rather than single purified drugs. The combination of different extracts is based on yin, yang and chi theories, which are often poorly understood in the West.

Yin and yang are known to be the balance of agonists and antagonists, whereas chi derives from signalling processes in the body and regulates bodily functions. Traditional Chinese medical practitioners understand that yin, yang and chi constantly interact in the body to maintain health. Western medical practitioners understand how to use agonists and antagonists and how to modify signalling processes, but generally do not accept the use of complex plant extracts to perform these functions.

Aimed at medical scientists, and including detailed explanations of the theories behind the science, this text may help researchers to understand Chinese medical practitioners and to communicate more effectively with them. It will also lead to greater acceptance of traditional medications in the West. Presenting a clear rationale for the use of traditional Chinese medications in Western medical facilities, it enables scientists to find new directions in experimental design and encourage examination of these useful, but often poorly understood, preparations in clinical trials.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Scientific Basis for Its Use

By James David Adams Jr, Eric J. Lien

The Royal Society of Chemistry

Copyright © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-84973-661-9

Contents

Chapter 1 The Traditional and Scientific Bases for Traditional Chinese Medicine: Communication Between Traditional Practitioners, Physicians and Scientists James D. Adams Jr and Eric J. Lien,
Chapter 2 Structure–Activity Relationship Analysis of Plant-Derived Compounds Eric J. Lien, Linda L. Lien and James D. Adams,
Chapter 3 Huang Di Nei Jing and the Treatment of Low Back Pain Minchen Wang (Vince),
Chapter 4 Understanding Ch’i: The Life-Force Energy that Determines Vitality, Health and Wellbeing Marcia R. Babcock,
Chapter 5 When Modern Computational Systems Biology Meets Traditional Chinese Medicine Calvin Yu-Chian Chen,
Chapter 6 Modern Drug Discovery from Chinese Materia Medica Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine Kuo-Hsiung Lee, Susan L. Morris-Natschke, Joshua Brattlie, Jingxi Xie and Eileen Belding,
Chapter 7 PI3K#8211;AKT Signaling in Cell Growth and Metabolism Yang Li, Anketse Kassa and Bangyan L. Stiles,
Chapter 8 The Scientific Evidence for Using Astragalus in Human Diseases William C. S. Cho,
Chapter 9 Traditional Chinese Medicine: Anti-Inflammation for Cancer Prevention Constance L. L. Saw, Chee L. Saw and Lita S. T. Chew,
Chapter 10 Treatment of Stroke with Dan Shen, Salvia miltiorrhiza James David Adams Jr,
Chapter 11 Drug Discovery from Traditional Chinese Medicine for Neurogenesis: Implications for Stroke and Neurodegenerative Diseases Jiangang Shen and Xingmiao Chen,
Chapter 12 Medicinal Uses of Seaweed in Traditional Chinese Medicine Eri Oshima,
Chapter 13 The Preventive Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbs on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Zhijun Wang, Patrick Chan and Jeffrey Wang,
Chapter 14 Translational Approach to Treating Diabetes Using Acupuncture or Electroacupuncture Philip V. Peplow and G. David Baxter,
Subject Index,

CHAPTER 1

The Traditional and Scientific Bases for Traditional Chinese Medicine: Communication Between Traditional Practitioners, Physicians and Scientists

JAMES D. ADAMS JR AND ERIC J. LIEN

Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA

1.1 Introduction

The species Homo sapiens has existed for 200 000 years or so. Medicinal plants have been important to humans as indicated by plants in prehistoric burial sites, mummy wrappings and ancient legends. It is likely that during the entire period of human existence, plants have been used as medicines. This means there has been a tremendous natural selection, such that those who responded to plant medicines survived. Our genome has been altered by this natural selection. It has only been during the past 50 years or so that Science has tried to displace traditional medicine. However, even today, the majority of purified drugs used clinically are derived directly or indirectly from plants and other natural sources. It is critical to realize that the alteration of the human genome by the use of plant medicines makes humans more responsive to plant medicines today. We should continue to use plant medicines.

There is an old Chinese saying, “Thousands of prescriptions are easy to come by. A really good drug is hard to find.” This is still true today in spite of modern advances in biomedical technology. It is humbling to realize that while d