What's in a Name? A Systematic Review of the Nomenclature of Chinese Medical Formulae

Abstract

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been modified to some extent in other Far Eastern countries such as Korea and Japan. Researchers of each of the three countries seem to use different English names for the same Chinese medicinal formulae. Lack of knowledge of the Chinese characters is destined to increase this confusion. In order to investigate this matter systematically, all investigations of Chinese medicine formulae published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine (AJCM, 1997-March 2001) were evaluated. Moreover, PubMed (1966-June 2001) was searched using keywords differentiated by language, location and number of hyphens, and upper-or lower-case of the first letter of the English equivalent of each Chinese character. Fifty-four formulae of TCM were identified in 45 reports published in AJCM. Thirty-two were named in Chinese only (23 reports); six in Japanese (six reports); and five in Korean (five reports). Ten formulae were named in Japanese with the Chinese name in brackets (ten reports); and one in Chinese with the Japanese name in brackets (one report). By computerized literature search, different numbers of research papers were retrieved by using keywords differentiated by language, location and number of hyphens. Such confusion may prevent progress in the evaluation of TCM. To increase the efficiency of studies on Chinese medical formulae, standardization of terminology is required.

Pharmacokinetics comparative study of a novel Chinese traditional herbal formula and its compatibility

“…Compatibility of two or more drugs is one of the characteristics of TCM formula. Therapeutic and pharmacological effects of TCM are usually attributed to synergism among multiple herbs and constituents, because the individual component in the compound prescription interact with other ingredients, termed "TCM formula compatibility", which might influence on ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination) of some components in the formula in vivo (Park, 2002;Gao et al, 2006;Bochu et al, 2005;Di et al, 2006;Lu et al, 2007). For example, the C max and AUC of wogonoside were increased after oral administration of Huangqin-Tang decoction compared with the single Huangqin decoction (Zuo et al, 2003).…”

Effect of Guizhifulingwan (Keishibukuryogan) on climacteric syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial

“…Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been adopted in a modified form in East Asian countries such as Japan and Korea [32, 33]. The system of pattern identification—the process of overall analysis of clinical data to determine the location, cause, and nature of disease in a patient and diagnosing a pattern/syndrome [34]—practiced in the three countries varies to a certain extent.…”

Recent advances in analysis of Chinese medical plants and traditional medicines

“…Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture information site created by West TCM, Vancouver Canada [18]), standard names for these formulae should be established by a consensus between these countries. This matter is clearly documented in a comparative review summarized all investigations of TCMs published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine from 1997 to March 2001 [19].…”