To explore the characteristics of Xiao Chai Hu (XCH) decoction in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using a bibliometric method.

Seven databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP) and Wanfang database were retrieved from inception to May 27, 2022. In the study, XCH decoction (or modified) used alone or combined with conventional Western medicine as an intervention measure was included. The basic characteristics, funding support, relevant diseases, intervention methods, and adverse events (AEs) were analyzed. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 software.

A total of 813 RCTs were included, published from 1989 to 2022. There was only one English-language literature with the recent impact factor of 5.374. There were 147 studies were from Chinese-language core journals, with the highest impact factor of 2.414. Only 6.15% of the literatures mentioned funding support. 96.31% of the included literature reported the statistical significance of using XCH decoction. The diseases treated mainly included chronic hepatitis B (9.35%), cough variant asthma (5.66%), dizziness (5.54%), bile reflux gastritis (4.43%), and fever (4.18%). However, the overall research design of the included literature was poor, and large sample size, multicenter RCTs are needed. The incidence of AEs of XCH decoction alone was 8.86%, which was significantly lower than that of conventional Western medicine treatment. The combination of XCH decoction and conventional Western medicine treatment could reduce the incidence of AEs, and no serious adverse event was reported.

Although the included studies show that XCH decoction is widely used, and has good efficacy and few AEs. Due to the low quality of the included RCTs, there may be some bias, and its rational use based on the specific conditions is recommended in clinical practice.

To investigate clinical application of aconite root (Aconitum carmichaelii Debx.; hereinafter "aconite") by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physicians in TCM hospitals in Beijing and explore the specific use of aconite and the effect of different doses on decoction time.

This was a cross-sectional study using two-stage sampling. Questionnaires were administered among TCM physicians from TCM hospitals in Beijing between September 2020 and August 2021. The questionnaire mainly included general demographics, clinical backgrounds of TCM physicians, and clinical application of aconite. The data analyses were performed using SPSS 20.0.

A total of 387 questionnaires were collected, of which 385 were valid. Of the 385 participating TCM physicians, 331 (85.97%) used aconite in clinical practice. The top three medical diagnoses treated with aconite were heart failure, diarrhea without cause, and chronic gastritis. The TCM pattern treated most frequently with a high dose of aconite was spleen-kidney yang deficiency, and the TCM pattern treated most frequently with a low dose was spleen yang deficiency, while spleen-kidney yang deficiency was treated most frequently with a common dose of aconite. The top three common formulas were Sini decoction, Mahuang Xixin Fuzi decoction, and Zhenwu decoction. Hei Shun Pian was the most common herbal pieces of aconite. The highest frequency of the maximum dose of aconite was 15 g, that of the minimum dose was 3 g, and that of the common dose was 10 g. There was a certain correlation between decoction time and the dose of aconite. Most TCM physicians advised their patients to take medicine twice a day.

In this study, we refined and quantified the use of aconite and enriched the exploration of the clinical application of aconite besides its provisions in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China.

To evaluate the effects of dried ginger rhizome (DGR; Zingiber officinalis (WILLD.) ROSC.), prepared as a membrane, in minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (miRAS) treatment and explore its mechanism of action by detecting changes in levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in saliva.

Fifty-nine miRAS patients were enrolled in this study. The number of participants in the dried ginger rhizome membrane (DGRM) group was 30, and 29 were in the placebo membrane (PM) group. Sixty sealed envelopes containing either type of membrane were coded randomly. Investigators and participants were blinded to group assignments. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used for pain, follow-up information for healing time, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure the concentrations of EGF and TNF-α.

In terms of VAS, there was a significant difference between pre- and post-DGRM treatment (P < .001), but not so for the PM group (P > .05). A significant difference was observed in the healing time between the two groups (6.08 (2.712) vs. 8.04 (2.142) days). The mean healing time in the DGRM group was shorter than that in the PM group (P < .05). In both groups, the salivary EGF concentration decreased significantly after treatment (P < .05), but the mean level in the DGRM group was significantly lower than that in the PM group (P < .05). The mean TNF-α level in both groups was increased significantly after treatment (P < .05), but patients who used DGRMs had a significantly lower level than that in the PM group (P < .05).

The present study provides evidence that DGRMs are effective treatment for RAS. Dried ginger rhizome has obvious effects on pain relief, shortening of healing time, reducing the EGF level in saliva, and has an inhibitory effect on TNF-α release.

To study the possible etiology of bitter taste in the mouth and its diagnostic significance by an epidemiological survey on its associated diseases and influence factors.

A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted by recruiting patients from four Grade 3A hospitals in Beijing. The questionnaire incorporated five aspects i.e. general information, gustation, behavior, symptomology and past medical history. SPSS20.0 software package was used for data analysis. T-test and chi-square test were selected for evaluation. An observation of the correlation between different causative factors and the symptoms of bitter taste was analyzed by Logistic regression.

Smoking and excessive consumption of meat and emotional stress were the risk factors, while eating fresh fruits and vegetables were key protective elements against the manifestation of bitter taste in the mouth. The incidence of bitter taste was high in patients suffering from gastroesophageal disease, hepatic and gallbladder diseases and neurological diseases.

Bitter taste is a common symptom in hospitalized patients, especially in patients with gastroesophageal reflux and liver and gallbladder diseases and the link to smoking, dietary and emotional stress. It is found that smoking is a sole risk factor for the manifestation of bitter taste.

To study the characteristics of the clinical application of traditional herbal medicine in five countries and regions where traditional medicine (TM) is widely used: Japan; South Korea; mainland China; Hong Kong, China; Taiwan, China. And to analyze, from multiple angles, the variations in the methods of TM used in each countries and regions.

Fifty commonly used traditional herbs (TOP50) from classical formulae were selected, and descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and Friedman test were used to compare methods of clinical application and dosages in the countries and regions of interest based on a retrospective review of randomly-selected medical records.

There were significant differences in sequencing TOP50 among the five countries and regions (P <.01). The adherence to the classical formulae, from strong to weak was Japan; mainland China; Taiwan, China; Hong Kong, China; South Korea. There were also significant differences in TOP50 dosing regimens (P <.01). Overall dosages of TOP50 from high to low were: mainland China; Hong Kong, China; Taiwan, China; South Korea; Japan. Finally, there were significant differences in the dosage intervals (P <.01), with dosage intervals from maximum to minimum as follows: mainland China; Taiwan, China; Hong Kong, China; South Korea; Japan.

The clinical dosages of traditional herbal medicine used in the mainland China are relatively large compared with those prescribed in the other four countries and regions, and the range of dosages in mainland China is more flexible. On the other hand, clinical dosages of TOP50 are the lowest in Japan, where the dosage range is also the narrowest, supporting the idea that Doctors of Kampo medicine are highly cautious and are likely to adhere strictly to classical formulae, while Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, China are in the middle. The dosage of TOP50 in South Korea is significantly lower than that used in the mainland China; Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, China where the adherence to the classical formulae was the lowest, albeit slightly higher than that in Japan. The methods of clinical application of traditional herbal medicine in the five countries and regions were affected by multiple factors, including history, geography, climate, and culture.