Fecal medicines used in traditional medical system of China: a systematic review of their names, original species, traditional uses, and modern investigations

Du, Huan; Kuang, Tingting; Qiu, Shuang; Xu, Tong; Huan, Chen-Lei Gang; Fan, Gang

doi:10.1186/s13020-019-0253-x

Cited by 24 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Fecal material has been used in medicine since almost two thousand years. The first description of the use of fecal material for medical purposes dates back to about 1700 years ago; traditional Chinese medicine in particular had perceived the potential role of this biological material and used it for several clinical indications such as gastrointestinal, nervous system, skin, and gynecological diseases [ 3 ]. In Western countries, the first description of ancestral FMT dates to the 17th century, when Fabricius Acquapendente reported the transplantation of feces for the cure of animals unable to ruminate [ 4 ].…”

Section: Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: a New Old Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Screening and Selection to Choose the Optimal Donor

Bibbò

Settanni

Porcari

et al. 2020

JCM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the past decade, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has rapidly spread worldwide in clinical practice as a highly effective treatment option against recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. Moreover, new evidence also supports a role for FMT in other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, functional gastrointestinal disorders, or metabolic disorders. Recently, some studies have identified specific microbial characteristics associated with clinical improvement after FMT, in different disorders, paving the way for a microbiota-based precision medicine approach. Moreover, donor screening has become increasingly more complex over years, along with standardization of FMT and the increasing number of stool banks. In this narrative review, we discuss most recent evidence on the screening and selection of the stool donor, with reference to recent studies that have identified specific microbiological features for clinical conditions such as Clostridioides difficile infection, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and metabolic disorders.

show abstract

Section: Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: a New Old Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Screening and Selection to Choose the Optimal Donor

Bibbò

Settanni

Porcari

et al. 2020

JCM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Their fibrinolytic properties were highlighted and studied (Ahn et al 2002) as well as their cytotoxicity on colon cancer cells [ 107 , 108 ]. The ‘Wu-Ling-Zhi’, a preparation derived from faeces of the complex-toothed flying squirrel ( Trogopterus xanthipes ) is used in Chinese traditional medicine to treat stabbing pain in the chest and hypochondrium, as well as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, swelling and aching due to traumatic injury, postpartum blood stasis, and snake bites [ 109 ]. Extracts of this faeces have been shown to inhibit gastric acid secretion and to have a protective effect on gastric mucosa in vivo on rats [ 110 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zootherapeutic uses of animals excreta: the case of elephant dung and urine use in Sayaboury province, Laos

Dubost

Kongchack

Deharo

et al. 2021

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Despite a widespread aversion towards faeces and urine, animal excreta are used in traditional medicine in many countries since centuries, but records are scattered and few therapeutic uses have been accurately documented while in the current context of emerging zoonoses such records may be of major interest. Methodology In this study, we investigated the therapeutic uses that mahouts in Xayaboury province, Lao PDR make of elephant urine and faeces as well as of the brood chamber that beetles (Heliocopris dominus) fashion from elephant dung. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with mahouts on elephant diet, health problems and responses to disease, andwhether they use elephant products. Data were supplemented by interviews with traditional healers. Results Seven respondents reported the use of elephant urine in ethnoveterinary care for elephants and in human medicine in case of diabetes and otitis. 25 respondents reported therapeutic use of elephant faeces (EF) and elephant dung beetle brood chambers. The major indications are gastrointestinal and skin problems. Macerations or decoctions are drunk or used externally as a lotion. The mahouts attribute the therapeutic effectiveness of EFs to their content which includes the remains of many species from the elephant diet which they consider to be medicinal. Discussion The indications of these uses are consistent with pharmacological and clinical studies highlighting the properties of different animals’ urine and faeces and their curative potential tested in vivo. The acknowledgement by the mahouts of medicinal properties of elephant faecal bolus contrasts with the rare justifications of animal material use recorded in zootherapeutic studies, which falls within the symbolic domain. However, numerous studies highlight the preponderant role of the microbiota in physiological processes, raising the hypothesis of a curative action of EF, by rebalancing the user’s microbiota. Conclusion The therapeutic uses of EF preparations despite their possible curative properties are a potential source of zoonotic transmission from elephants to humans. In the current context of globalisation of trade which favours the emergence of zoonoses and in relation with the issue of One Health, it becomes crucial to further document the zootherapeutic practices to prevent emerging diseases. As elephants and local related ethnoethological knowledge are threatened, documenting them is urgent to contribute to their preservation.

show abstract

“…Through the theories of TCM as “syndrome differentiation and treatment” and the “concept of wholism,” the relationship between liver diseases and intestinal flora is inseparable. The majority of Chinese herbs exhibit the mechanism (termed “gongxiao” in Chinese) of promoting probiotic action and inhibition of pathogens, with synergy occurring with two or more compatible Chinese medicines [ 94 ]. The intestinal flora may, therefore, be a promising novel pharmacological target for the prevention and treatment of liver disease using TCM.…”

Section: Intervention Therapy Using Traditional Chinese Medicine (Tcm)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Intestinal Microbiota and Liver Diseases: Insights into Therapeutic Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Wang

Huang²,

et al. 2021

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Liver disease is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, for which inflammation, alcohol use, lipid metabolic disorders, disturbance to bile acid metabolism, and endotoxins are common risk factors. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with its “holistic approach” is widely used throughout the world as a complementary, alternative therapy, due to its clinical efficacy and reduced side effects compared with conventional medicines. However, due to a lack of reliable scientific evidence, the role of TCM in the prevention and treatment of liver disease remains unclear. Over recent years, with the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing, 16S rRNA detection, and bioinformatics methodology, it has been gradually recognized that the regulation of intestinal microbiota by TCM can play a substantial role in the treatment of liver disease. To better understand how TCM regulates the intestinal microbiota and suppresses liver disease, we have reviewed and analyzed the results of existing studies and summarized the relationship and risk factors between intestinal microbiota and liver disease. The present review summarizes the related mechanisms by which TCM affects the composition and metabolites of the intestinal microbiome.

show abstract

Fecal medicines used in traditional medical system of China: a systematic review of their names, original species, traditional uses, and modern investigations

Cited by 24 publications

References 37 publications

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Screening and Selection to Choose the Optimal Donor

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Screening and Selection to Choose the Optimal Donor

Zootherapeutic uses of animals excreta: the case of elephant dung and urine use in Sayaboury province, Laos

Intestinal Microbiota and Liver Diseases: Insights into Therapeutic Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About