Application of Quality Evaluation of Blind Method in Clinical Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The quality evaluation of the blind method is to evaluate the clinical blind data obtained from clinical trials adopting the blind method and judge the effectiveness of the blind method by investigating the blind effect of different blind objects. A successful blind method can avoid the influence of subjective factors on the test results of subjects and researchers to a certain extent. The quality evaluation of the blind method can reflect not only the effectiveness of the blind method but also the accuracy and credibility of clinical trial results. In recent years， randomized controlled trials have been widely used in the evaluation of the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， but the quality of the implementation of blind methods is uneven， and the evaluation criteria have not yet been formed. In this paper， the data collection methods， calculation principles， advantages， and disadvantages of two quantitative quality evaluation methods of blind methods， namely James Blinding Index （JBI） and Bang Blinding Index （BBI）， were introduced. The two indexes were analyzed in a randomized controlled trial of acupuncture and moxibustion to relieve postoperative oral pain. The calculation process of the results was demonstrated by R software and visualized by forest map. At the same time， a tool table was designed to facilitate the collection of evaluation data of blind methods in TCM clinical trials at different stages. Finally， the necessity and feasibility of quality evaluation of blind method in TCM research were discussed to provide a basis for evaluating and improving the quality of blind method implementation in TCM clinical trials.

Analysis of research hotspots and trend of the clinical comprehensive evaluation of Chinese patent medicine in China / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To analyze the research status， hotspots， and trend of the clinical comprehensive evaluation of Chinese patent medicine in China. METHODS Based on CNKI， VIP and Wanfang database， clinical comprehensive evaluation of Chinese patent medicine was used as the subject of retrieval， and the retrieval time was from the inception to October 30th， 2022. CiteSpace 6.1.R3 and VOSviewer were used to conduct a visualization analysis of the relative literature of clinical comprehensive evaluation of Chinese patent medicine in terms of annual publication quantity， authors， institutions， keywords， etc. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS A total of 1 460 pieces of literature related to the clinical comprehensive evaluation of Chinese patent medicine were included. The overall annual publication quantity showed a growth trend. There were 714 authors in the included literature. The institutions with a large publication quantity included the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine， Beijing University of Chinese Medicine， Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine， etc.， and there was little cooperation among the authors and institutions. High-frequency keywords included Chinese patent medicine， safety， adverse drug reactions， rational drug use， etc. Research hotspots focused on the safety and effectiveness evaluation of Chinese patent medicine. It may be a research trend in this field to strengthen the prescription review of Chinese patent medicine， and build a multi-dimensional and multi-criteriaclinical comprehensive evaluation system for the rational use of Chinese patent medicine.

Target Trial Emulation and Feasibility in Traditional Chinese Medicine Researches / 中医杂志

Target trial emulation， using observational data to emulate a target trial， applies the study design principles of randomized controlled trials to observational studies that aim to estimate the effect of an intervention. The advantage of target trial emulation is that observational data is used to emulate a target trial when it is not appropriate to conduct randomized controlled trials. Target trial emulation can control bias caused by the design of observational studies， and improve the effectiveness of causal inference from observational data. This paper introduced the methodological framework and key points in terms of eligibility criteria， treatment strategies， assignment procedures， grace period， outcomes， follow-up period， effect contrasts， and statistical plan for implementing target trial emulation. This article elucidated the feasibility and necessity of applying target trail emulation in the realm of traditional Chinese medicine researches， and highlighted the challenges encountered in its implementation， such as the need for specialized personnel， data collection and integration， and the control of confounding factors.

Guidelines for Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of digestive tract. In 2020， 1.93 million new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed globally， ranking third in the global incidence spectrum， and 930 000 new deaths were reported， ranking second in the global cause of death spectrum. Meanwhile， the medical cost of metastatic colorectal cancer is the highest among all stages. A large number of studies have demonstrated that traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） treatment can bring clinical benefits to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with unique efficacy. In order to further standardize the TCM diagnosis and treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer and improve the level of TCM diagnosis and treatment， Xiyuan Hospital， China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， together with other relevant units in China， according to the guideline development process of the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development and the relevant requirements of the Clinical Evidence Grading Criteria on TCM Based on Evidence Body， the Regulations for Group Standards of China Association of Chinese Medicine and others， combined with the characteristics of TCM diagnosis and treatment and the actual situation in China， the Guidelines for TCM Diagnosis and Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer was developed in accordance with the Catalogue of TCM Diagnosis and Treatment Plans for 105 Diseases in 24 Specialties issued by Department of Medical Administration of National Administration of TCM.

Guidelines for TCM Intervention After Conventional Western Medicine Treatment for Stage Ⅰ-Ⅲ Colorectal Cancer / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Colorectal cancer is one of the common malignant tumors with high morbidity， and changes in lifestyle， dietary structure and environment in China in recent decades have been associated with an increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer. A large number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） can be used as a complementary and alternative treatment for colorectal cancer after conventional western medicine treatment. TCM physicians have accumulated a lot of clinical experience in the treatment of patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅲ colorectal cancer， and have proved that TCM has unique efficacy， but there is still a lack of relevant clinical practice guidelines to standardize and guide the diagnosis and treatment of TCM. Based on this， according to the guideline development process of the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development and the Clinical Evidence Grading Criteria on TCM Based on Evidence Body， under the framework of relevant laws， regulations and technical guidance documents， combined with the evidence of relevant domestic and foreign clinical research in recent years for evidence grading and opinion recommendation， and then the Guidelines for TCM Intervention After Conventional Western Medicine Treatment for Stage Ⅰ-Ⅲ Colorectal Cancer were developed by expert consensus. This guideline introduces the etiology， pathogenesis， syndrome differentiation and treatment of TCM intervention for colorectal cancer， which can provide guiding opinions for TCM clinicians and clinicians of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine engaged in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Research Ideas and Methods for Standardization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Differentiation / 中医杂志

Syndrome differentiation and treatment is a unique mode of diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. The establishment of scientific and standardized syndrome diagnosis standards is an important link to evaluate the clinical efficacy of TCM objectively and systematically， and also a prerequisite for the promotion and development of TCM to obtain international recognition. This article reviewed the basic modes and existed problems of the current syndrome diagnosis criteria， and proposed to construct a multidimensional core information set integrating the minimized core symptoms， the artificial intelligence signs， the multi-modal laboratory indicators， and multi-omics specific markers， so as to present syndrome characteristics from multiple perspectives systematically. This paper also described the basic mode， constructure， as well as the process and methodology to be adopted in the establishment of the standardized diagnostic research method. The core information set of diagnostic symptoms not only took into account the specificity of the disease， but also improved the inconsistency due to the complexity and subjectivity of the syndrome differentiation， thereby providing a methodological basis for the standardization of TCM syndrome differentiation in clinical research.

Acupoint catgut embedding versus acupuncture for simple obesity: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of acupoint catgut embedding and acupuncture on simple obesity by Meta-analysis. METHODS: Studies on clinical randomized controlled trials of acupoint catgut embedding for simple obesity which were published from January 2015 to November 2020 were searched in Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials (Central), PubMed, China Science and Technology Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database and Wanfang data-bases. And those that met the inclusion criteria were screened. RevMan5.3 was used for Meta-analysis. The "Risk of Bias" tool was used to evaluate the quality of included studies. R studio software was used for the measurement of publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 33 studies were included for Meta-analysis, including 2685 patients with simple obesity. Meta-analysis results showed the comparison of effectiveness rate was relative risk () = 1.12, 95%(1.08, 1.16), body mass index (BMI) was mean difference () = -1.12, 95% (-2.09, -0.14), waist circumference was = -2.14, 95% (-4.22, -0.06), and body mass was = -2.36, 95% (-3.99, -0.73). On the basis of diet and exercise intervention, the effectiveness rate [ = 1.12, 95% (1.05, 1.19)], BMI [ = -0.88, 95% (-1.35, -0.40)], waist circumference [ = -1.10, 95%(-4.27, 2.07)], and body mass [ = -0.68, 95%(-2.90, 1.54)]. The risk of bias of included literatures was low. CONCLUSIONS: Acupoint catgut embedding therapy was slightly better than acupuncture therapy in most of the outcomes. Moreover, the treatment frequency of acupoint catgut embedding is less with larger stimulation intensity, which is more conducive to clinical promotion.

Study on the policies for the development of traditional Chinese medicine injection in China based on the per- spective of policy tools / 中国药房

OBJE CTIVE To provide reference for the adjustment and optimization of the policies related to traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）injection in China. METHODS The policies related to TCM injections issued at the national level were collected from Jan. 1，1990 to May 31，2021. Based on the perspective of policy tool ，the content analysis and quantitative analysis were used to classify ，code and analyze the policy terms according to “policy serial number-chapter number-specific terms ”. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS Totally 30 policy documents related to TCM injection were included ， with a total of 389 codes. Environment-based policy tools were the most widely used （79.95％），followed by supply-oriented policy tools ，accounting for 15.42％. Demand-based policy tools accounted for the least proportion （4.63％）. Among environment-based policy tools ，the regulatory and control policy tools （38.05％） received more attention，and the policy publicity （2.06％） received fewer applications. Among supply-oriented policy tools ，there were more applications of science and technology support （10.80％）， and fewer applications of capital investment （0.26％）. Among demand- based policy tools ，organizational coordination was the most widely used （3.34％），followed by experience demonstration （1.29％），which had not yet involved the relevant policies of international exchange. In order to promote the development of TCM injection ，it is necessary to appropriately reduce the application of environment-based policy tools ，increase the application of policies such as policy publicity ，and improve the external environment for TCM injection ；optimize the internal combination of supply-oriented policy tools ，increase the use of capital investment tools ，and effectively play the role of policy boosting；emphasize the application of demand-based policy XJY21013） tools to form an effective policy pulling force for the healthy development of TCM injection.

Attention Situation of Chinese Patent Medicine for Constipation in Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines/Consensus and National Reimbursement Drug List / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the methodological quality of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） diagnosis and treatment guidelines/consensus of constipation with Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Ⅱ （AGREE Ⅱ）tool， and to study the attention situation of the included Chinese patent medicines in China's National Reimbursement Drug List in the guidelines/consensus. MethodThe data of CNKI，VIP，Wanfang Data，SinoMed，PubMed and Cochrane from the inception of the databases to October 2021 were searched to collect the TCM diagnosis and treatment guidelines/consensus of constipation. Then，the diagnosis and treatment standards and recommended Chinese patent medicines were extracted. Two researchers assessed the methodological quality of the guidelines/consensus with AGREE Ⅱ tool independently. The quality of reports was evaluated by Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealThcare （RIGHT） Statement. The recommended Chinese patent medicines in the guidelines/consensus were compared with those in the National Reimbursement Drug List. ResultEleven consensus and 2 guidelines were included，involving 794 experts. The scores of AGREE II were clarity of presentation（59.0%），scope and purpose（44.0%），stakeholder involvement（23.1%），rigor of development （12.1%），applicability （11.1%），and editorial independence （8.3%） from high to low. Five articles were recommended at B level（recommended after revision） and 8 articles were at C level （not recommended）. The average scores of RIGHT Statement were as follows：basic information （93.59%），background （57.69%），evidence （18.46%），recommendations （20.88%），review and quality assurance （19.23%），funding，declaration and management of interests （0.00%）， and other information （0.00%）. The included guidelines/consensus recommended a total of 27 Chinese patent medicines，among which 20 were included in the National Reimbursement Drug List，with 4 species of Class A and 16 species of Class B， accounting for 74.1% of all recommended Chinese patent medicines. Ten purgative Chinese patent medicines in the National Reimbursement Drug List were recommended by the guidelines/consensus，accounting for 50% of all purgative drugs， and 8 were not recommended. There were prescriptions for purgation， for promoting digestion and removing food stagnation， for clearing heat and purging fire，and for warming the middle and dissipating cold，Tibetan medicine and Mongolian medicine. ConclusionBy the AGREE Ⅱ assessment，the methodological quality of the TCM diagnosis and treatment guidelines/consensus of constipation included in this study needed to be improved in the future. The report quality evaluated with RIGHT Statement was low. Most drugs included in the National Reimbursement Drug List were paid attention in the TCM diagnosis and treatment guidelines/consensus of constipation. Moreover，the drugs included in the National Reimbursement Drug List could basically fulfill the clinical needs reflexed from the guidelines/consensus recommendations. However， the reasons of some drugs failing to be included in the National Reimbursement Drug List needed to be studied in the future.

Efficacy of Weitan Waifu patch on the postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome of gastrointestinal cancer: a multi-center trial / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective@#To investigate the safety and efficacy of the Weitan Waifu patch on the postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome (PGS) of gastrointestinal cancer.@*Methods@#The multi-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with superiority design. Patients with PGS of gastrointestinal cancer diagnosed in 4 AAA hospitals and the abdominal symptom manifested as cold syndrome by Chinese local syndrome differentiation were recruited. These patients were randomly divided into two groups according to 1∶1 proportion. Placebo or Weitan Waifu patch was applied in control group or intervention group, respectively, based on the basic treatments, including nutrition support, gastrointestinal decompression, promoting gastric dynamics medicine.Two acupuncture points (Zhongwan and Shenque) were stuck with placebo in control group or patch in treatment group. The intervention course was 14 days or reached the effective standard.@*Results@#From July 15, 2013 to Jun 3, 2015, 128 participants were recruited and 120 eligible cases were included in the full analysis set (FAS), and 60 cases in each group. 88 cases were included in the per-protocol set (PPS), including 45 cases in the treatment group and 43 cases in the control group. In the FAS, the clinical effective rate in the treatment group was 68.3%, significantly superior than 41.7% of the control group (P=0.003). The medium time of effective therapy in the treatment group was 8 days, significantly shorter than 10 days in the control group (P=0.017). In the FAS, 3 adverse events occurred in the treatment group, including mild to moderate decrustation, pruritus and nausea. The incidence rate of adverse events was 5.0% (3/60) and these symptoms were spontaneously remitted after drug withdrawal. No severe adverse events were observed in the control group. There was no significant difference between these two groups (P=0.244).@*Conclusion@#Weitan Waifu patch is a safely and effectively therapeutic method for patients with PGS (cold syndrome) of gastroenterological cancer.@*Trial registration@#International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register, ISRCTN18291857

Cumulative Analgesic Effect of Electroacupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP6), Xuanzhong (GB39) and Non-acupoint for Primary Dysmenorrhea：A Comparative Study / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To compare the cumulative analgesic effects of electroacupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP6), Xuanzhong (GB39) and non-acupoint in treating primary dysmenorrhea. Method By adopting a multi-centered randomized controlled study method, 501 patients recruited from Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Capital Medical University, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huguosi Hospital of Chinese Medicine of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and the Outpatient of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were randomized into a Sanyinjiao group, a Xuanzhong group, and a non-acupoint group, 167 subjects in each group. The electroacupuncture intervention was applied when dysmenorrhea flared up and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) ≥40 mm, with frequency at 2/100 Hz and intensity during patient’s endurance, 30 min each time, once a day, and for successive 3 d. Before the first treatment, 30 min after the first treatment, and respectively prior to the second and third treatment, VAS was used to measure the pain intensity. Meanwhile, the Retrospective Symptom Scale (RSS-COX 2) was investigated before the first treatment, right after the removal of needles for the first treatment, before the second and third treatment. Result The decrease of VAS in Sanyinjiao group was more significant than that in Xuanzhong group and non-acupoint group (MD=﹣2.92 mm, P=0.028; MD=﹣3.47 mm, P=0.009), while there was no significant difference between Xuanzhong group and non-acupoint group (MD=﹣0.56 mm, P=0.674); there were no significant differences in comparing the RSS-COX2 total score among the three groups (P=0.086). Conclusion Sanyinjiao (SP6) can produce a more significant cumulative analgesic effect for primary dysmenorrhea patient than Xuanzhong and non-acupoint, and the effects of Xuanzhong and non-acupoit are equivalent.

Prospective multicenter study on syndrome differentiation-based treatment with traditional Chinese medicine for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD3-4) / 实用医学杂志

Objective To study the clinical curative effect of syndrome differentiation-based treatment with traditional Chinese medicine on patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD3-4). Method According to prospective multicenter randomized controlled study which was applied to the patients with CKD3-4 , the total of 339 patients were divided into two groups. To one group as standard including 167 patients ,the other including 172 patients. Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine single or combined-prescription oral treatment according to syndrome differentiation-based treatment was employed. To the other group as reference , Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine oral treatment according to experienced rule was applied. The clinical curative effect results were obtained after a 24 weeks-treatment. Result The Scr ,eGFR and UTP with CKD3 in standard group illustrate statistics significance (P 0.05). The clinical curative effect result of patient in standard group was better than that of reference group. About the clinical curative effect of CKD4, no statistics significance difference (P > 0.05) could be found between groups or between patients in one group. The TCM score of patient with CKD3-4 in standard group have improved (P 0.05). Conclusion Syndrome differentiation-based treatment with traditional Chinese medicine illustrated a better result in protection of renal function, reduction in urinary protein and decline in TCM score than the treatment according to experienced rule.

Value of qualitative research in polycystic ovary syndrome / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This article aims to introduce the benefits of qualitative research and to discuss how such research can be applied to the study of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>Relevant articles were published in English as of May 2013 from Pubmed. Terms "polycystic ovary syndrome/PCOS, qualitative research and methodology" were used for searching.</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Articles studying PCOS with qualitative methods were reviewed. Articles associated with the use of qualitative research in clinical research were cited.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six qualitative studies related to PCOS were found in the literature search. These studies addressed different aspects in PCOS women including their womanhood, lived experience, information need, and experience of treatment with acupuncture. Five of these six studies used phenomenology as guiding theory.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Quantitative research has been the dominant approach in the field so far, qualitative research is relevant to the advancement of PCOS.</p>

Methodological issues and suggestions for improvement in randomized controlled trials of Chinese herbal medicine for recurrent miscarriage / 中西医结合学报

Recurrent miscarriage is a common disease in clinical obstetrics and gynecology. There is no curative treatment for recurrent miscarriage in conventional medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the treatment of recurrent miscarriage in China for thousands of years. However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with high quality evaluating the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) still lack. This study was conducted in order to identify methodological problems in published or unpublished RCTs of CHM in the treatment of recurrent miscarriage, and provide suggestions for TCM researchers to conduct high-quality clinical research.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of Sjogren's syndrome / 中西医结合学报

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been widely used in the treatment of Sjogren's syndrome. However, there remains no systematic review to assess the effectiveness and safety of CHM.

Xiaochaihu Tang for treatment of chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review of randomized trials / 中西医结合学报

Background: Xiaochaihu Tang was a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine recorded in ancient Chinese medical book Shanghanlun, and has been widely used for chronic liver diseases especially in Japan. Objective: To assess the beneficial effects and safety of Xiaochaihu Tang, for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Search strategy: Electronic and manual searches were conducted and the search ended in November 2009. Inclusion criteria: We included randomized clinical trials testing Xiaochaihu Tang against placebo, non-specific treatment, antivirals, or combined with antivirals against antivirals alone. Data extraction and analysis: Selection of trials for inclusion, assessment of methodological quality by Jadad score, data extraction and data syntheses were conducted according to the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group methods. Results: Sixteen randomized trials (involving 1 601 CHB patients) with various methodological quality were included. One trial published in English had good quality, while other trials published in Chinese were of poor quality. The pooled results showed that Xiaochaihu Tang combined with antiviral drugs was more effective in serum loss of hepatitis B viral markers and in improving liver function compared with antiviral drugs alone. Xiaochaihu Tang was not different from placebo in terms of viral clearance or improving liver function. However, Xiaochaihu Tang was superior to non-specific treatment in liver function improvement. There were no adverse effects reported in the trials regarding Xiaochaihu Tang, but adverse effects were reported in patients treated by interferon, and severe adverse effects occurred in few cases. Conclusion: Xiaochaihu Tang in this review appears to be effective in improving liver function and clearance of serum hepatitis B viral markers in patients with chronic hepatitis B. However, due to poor methodological quality in the majority of included trials the potential benefits need to be confirmed in rigorous clinical trials following international standards.

A qualitative study of exploring the therapeutic components of traditional Chinese medicine as a complex intervention through grounded theory / 中西医结合学报

To explore and identify the therapeutic components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a complex intervention through grounded theory, and the correlation and interaction within this model and the possible effects that they may have on the therapeutic effects of TCM.

Correlation between cognitive functions and syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine in amnestic mild cognitive impairment / 中西医结合学报

To explore the correlation between the cognitive functions and syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and to provide evidence for clinical syndrome differentiation treatment.

Compound Chinese herbal medicines, Chinese herbal drugs and their active extracts for treatment of chronic hepatitis C: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials / 中西医结合学报

Background: The conventional therapy for chronic hepatitis C is the combination of interferon-alpha and ribavirin. However, it has some adverse effects and does not response to some patients, and it is also very expensive. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicinal herbs for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Search strategy: Electronic and manual searches were conducted and the search ended in July 2009. Inclusion criteria: We included randomized clinical trials testing Chinese herbal medicine vs placebo, non-specific treatment, antiviral treatment, or Chinese herbal medicine combined with antiviral treatment vs antiviral treatment alone. Data extraction and analysis: Selection of trials for inclusion, assessment of methodological quality, data extraction and data syntheses were conducted according to the protocol of a Cochrane systematic review by the authors. Results: Fifty-one randomized trials (involving 3 678 patients) with various methodological quality were included. The studies published in English had good quality, while studies published in Chinese were of poor quality. The pooled results showed that Chinese herbal medicine alone or in combination with antiviral treatment was generally better than non-specific treatment or antiviral treatment alone, and herbal medicine appeared equal to antiviral treatment regarding comprehensive clinical effect in terms of symptoms, liver function and virological response. Regarding virological response including loss of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and anti-HCV antibodies, herbal medicine was better than non-specific treatment, equal to antiviral treatment, and the combination of herbs and antiviral treatment was better than antiviral treatment alone. Similar positive findings were found for liver function improvement. Adverse effects were observed among herbal injections and interferon treatment, and few cases had severe adverse effects. Conclusion: Herbal medicines included in this review have effects in improving symptoms, liver function, and loss of HCV markers in patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, for majority of the included trials were published in Chinese and had low quality, the promising effects from some herbs need to be confirmed in rigorous clinical trials, and the design and reporting of trials should follow international standards. Systematic review registration: http://www.cochrane.org, 380700081611301089.

Cultural anthropology of traditional Chinese medicine / 中西医结合学报

Biological, psychological and sociological model of medicine substantializes the old model lacking the social humane attributes. The new medical model makes people take medical anthropology into research and highly evaluate traditional medical system. Cultural anthropology of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is part of medical anthropology with three major characteristics: wide research scope, specificity, and integration. It has developed its own research methods, such as field investigation, comprehensive inspection and comparison study. Cultural anthropology provides an efficient research method for TCM, and its application would further develop TCM theory and form comprehensive evaluation on TCM effects.