ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including Traditional Chinese Medicine drugs (TCM drugs), has been playing a very important role in health protection and disease control for thousands of years in China. Relying on natural products, mainly of herbal origin, used either as raw materials for decoction, as prepared herbal medicines or as formulated traditional medicines, TCM is still widely accepted by Chinese people, especially for chronic diseases treatment. This extensive use warrants safety measures and so TCM drug safety monitoring and risk management are becoming increasingly important tasks for the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).


METHODS
The Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) monitoring system in China was established both for western and TCM drugs in 1989 as a voluntary reporting system with a National Center collecting and compiling reports. Serious or multi-case reports on individual TCM drug or formulated products are detailed in the Chinese ADR Information Bulletin to inform the public and Drug Administrative authorities for risk management.


RESULTS
About 10-15% of the ADR reports received by the National Center are related to TCM drugs and mainly pertaining to the formulated products. In certain cases, the suspension of a particular TCM preparation is decided by SFDA China.


CONCLUSION
The model of safety monitoring and risk management of TCM drugs is still under exploration. Indeed, the characteristics and risk factors associated with these drugs require both proper understanding and control of the risk by strengthening standardization of clinical applications, basic science research, quality control in manufacturing, exploration of the actives monitoring methodology and enhancement of international communication and cooperation.

Pharmacovigilance Practice and Risk Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine Drugs in China

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic people are facing risks of adverse health effects due to the restrictions implemented such as quarantine measures, reduced social contact, and self-isolation. In this qualitative review, we collected data on potential preventive and therapeutic health benefits of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) that might be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have reviewed the scientific literature to summarize CIM practices that could be beneficial for improving physical and mental health and well-being of the population under the current pandemic circumstances. It must be noted that this review is not SARS-CoV-2 specific and we explicitly do not intend to make any SARS-CoV-2 specific health claims in this article. Methods and Findings: A qualitative, non-systematic literature review was conducted in Medline to identify literature describing preventive and therapeutic CIM approaches for strengthening mental and physical health. For a variety of CIM approaches clinical evidence was identified, indicating beneficial effects. CIM approaches include specific dietary measures and selected micronutrients, physical activity, techniques from Mind-Body Medicine, single botanicals or botanical compounds, and spending time in nature among others. The effects of CIM measures on conditions like obesity and hypertension are of special relevance here, as these conditions are considered as risk factors for a severe course of COVID-19. Moreover, a possibly direct effect of CIM approaches on immune functions and clinical parameters in respiratory tract infections, such as influenza, were identified. The findings of this review could be helpful for clinicians, patients, and the general population during the current pandemic when discussing and/or considering CIM options. Conclusions: CIM offers a variety of preventive and therapeutic options for strengthening physical and mental resilience, which could also be useful in the current COVID-19 pandemic. The evidence of CIM approaches with a potential benefit in the COVID-19 pandemic in different areas is worth to be analyzed. While this qualitative review has several obvious limitations, it might serve as useful starting point for further research on this topic.

The Relevance of Complementary and Integrative Medicine in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Review of the Literature

Chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of some essential oils against multidrug resistant bacteria

Objective: to understand the use of integrative and complementary practices as a health promotion action. Method: qualitative study, action-participant type, with the application of Paulo Freire’s Research Itinerary, in which 30 Primary Health Care professionals participated. Thematic research was developed with two Primary Care Units, one that used integrative and complementary practices in daily life and another that focused more on allopathic concepts of assistance. To carry out the three stages of the method used, seven Culture Yarning Circles took place. The critical unveiling took place concurrently with the participation of those surveyed. Results: integrative and complementary practices constitute a form of health care, with the purpose of understanding the human being in the health-disease process, making it possible to work with the different aspects that involve them. In this way, they reduce damages resulting from the excessive use of medications, stimulate comprehensiveness and promote health. Conclusion: integrative and complementary practices are resources for health promotion, through comprehensive care and reducing the use of medications.

/pdf/integrative-and-complementary-practices-in-primary-care-15rrp79p4h.pdf

Integrative and complementary practices in Primary Care: unveiling health promotion.

Objectives: We examined the relationship between the initial treatment of acute lower and upper tract respiratory infections with phytopharmaceuticals and the duration of the disease as well as bet...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00325481.2020.1751497

Reduced antibiotic use after initial treatment of acute respiratory infections with phytopharmaceuticals- a retrospective cohort study.

Aim. The aim of this narrative review was to explore the potential contributions of CAM to reduce antibiotic use. Methods. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews with a specific, limited set of search terms and collected input from a group of expert CAM researchers to answer the question: What is known about the contribution of CAM health and health promotion concepts, infection prevention, and infection treatment strategies to reduce antibiotic use? Results. The worldview-related CAM health concepts enable health promotion oriented infection prevention and treatment aimed at strengthening or supporting the self-regulating ability of the human organism to cope with diseases. There is some evidence that the CAM concepts of health (promotion) are in agreement with current conceptualization of health and that doctors who practice both CAM and conventional medicine prescribe less antibiotics, although selection bias of the presented studies cannot be ruled out. There is some evidence that prevention and some treatment strategies are effective and safe. Many CAM treatment strategies are promising but overall lack high quality evidence. Conclusions. CAM prevention and treatment strategies may contribute to reducing antibiotic use, but more rigorous research is necessary to provide high quality evidence of (cost-)effectiveness.

/pdf/the-contribution-of-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-5g79m5nvux.pdf

The Contribution of Complementary and Alternative Medicine to Reduce Antibiotic Use: A Narrative Review of Health Concepts, Prevention, and Treatment Strategies

Background: A majority of oncological patients apply add-on white-berry European mistletoe (Viscum album L., VA) extracts to reduce disease- and treatment-related symptoms and to improve health-related quality of life (HRQL). VA extracts exert various antitumor, pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, and immunomodulatory effects. Two current meta-analyses attribute life-prolonging and HRQL-improving properties to additive VA therapy. The aim of the present update was to review the current knowledge on VA extracts in clinical oncology. Hereby, we concentrated on studies with the highest clinical relevance in the field of lung, gastric, colorectal and pancreatic, gynaecological, as well as breast cancer applying the anthroposophical mistletoe preparations. Summary: The present update provides a brief overview regarding the use of VA preparations in clinical oncology reviewing current guidelines, systematic reviews, randomized controlled and real-world data studies. We have searched the pubmed.gov database of the National Library of Medicine with the search terms “mistletoe” and “cancer.” We found good evidence of add-on VA therapy to improve the HRQL of patients with breast cancer (American Society of Clinical Oncology – endorsed Society for Integrative Oncology guideline) and of HRQL-improving and survival-prolonging properties of VA therapy in pancreatic cancer. In the field of gastrointestinal, gynaecological, and lung cancer, new or updating integrative and/or oncological guidelines should consider clear recommendations on integrative therapies including VA therapy. Nevertheless, further clinical and real-world data trials need to be performed in this field. Key Messages: Evidence for add-on VA treatment for the improved management of cancer and cancer-related side effects is accumulating. Patients with breast cancer: good evidence for add-on VA therapy to improve the HRQL of oncological patients. Patients with pancreatic cancer: good evidence for add-on VA to improve HRQL and prolong survival. Patients with gastrointestinal, gynaecological, and lung cancer: update of guidelines is recommended with regards to integrative oncological therapies including add-on VA.

https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/bitstream/fub188/31079/3/2021_Thronicke_etal.pdf

Georg Soldner

Papers

The Contribution of Complementary and Alternative Medicine to Reduce Antibiotic Use: A Narrative Review of Health Concepts, Prevention, and Treatment Strategies

Viscum album L. Therapy in Oncology: An Update on Current Evidence

Einleitung / Bolus alba comp., Robinia comp., Gentiana lutea, Gentiana Magen Globuli/Inject