In a groundbreaking study, scientists have matched proteins associated with symptoms to target proteins in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), uncovering its hidden scientific foundations. This research, published in Science Advances, marks the first to transform TCM into contemporary medical knowledge, confirming the efficacy of traditional remedies at a "systematic level."

Traditional Chinese medicine, often considered pseudoscience, is based on intricate scientific principles. An international team of scientists suggests that the 3,000-year-old medical practice in China may have more in common with modern medicine than previously thought. In the past, articles in Nature referred to TCM as "largely pseudoscience." However, the new study reveals previously unknown scientific foundations of TCM.

This practice, dating back to the Shang dynasty, revolves around treating symptoms resulting from the imbalance of yin and yang. TCM does not have the concept of "disease," and diagnosis and treatment are based on symptoms, making it challenging to relate to modern medical practice. While modern medicine has adopted some herbs from TCM, such as aspirin and morphine, research often focuses on individual herbs, not describing the "whole" of their interactions.

In 2015, Tu Youyou received the Nobel Prize for discovering a malaria drug from herbs used in TCM. Nevertheless, TCM as a whole is often considered a myth. Researchers created a network medicine system by mapping proteins associated with symptoms and target proteins of herbal chemical substances.

They found that the closer a group of symptoms is to the target herb, the higher the likelihood of treatment efficacy. For instance, Yin Chai Hu (Stellaria root) in TCM is recognized as a remedy for fever. In the network, Yin Chai Hu is close to proteins associated with fever.

Scientists noted that TCM doctors prescribed herbs whose targets were close to symptoms in the network. Gan Xiao from the University of Information Science and Technology in Nanjing observes that the "affinity pattern between herbs and symptoms is very similar to the modern drug-disease association." Gan adds, "TCM and modern medicine may have common roots in molecular network mechanisms."

The study confirmed the efficacy of TCM herbs at a "systematic level." To validate the network, the team collected medical data from over 1,900 patients with liver cirrhosis. They identified 86 herb-symptom pairs that were effective, some of which were not yet registered in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. This discovery is a breakthrough in understanding and potentially integrating TCM with conventional treatment methods.

The scientists emphasize that these findings are not merely coincidental associations but the result of complex bioinformatic analyses. Using advanced computational methods, specific molecular mechanisms of these herbs were identified, allowing for more informed use in medicine. This study may open new doors for integrating TCM with evidence-based treatment methods, increasing therapy effectiveness and safety.

It is also highlighted that this study does not mean that all TCM methods are effective. Traditional Chinese medicine comprises a highly diverse set of practices, and not every one of them has been thoroughly examined for efficacy and safety. Researchers stress the need for further research to verify and potentially adapt other herbs and therapeutic methods.

This breakthrough in TCM research may help reduce skepticism toward this traditional form of medicine, showing that it may have a solid scientific foundation. This discovery is important not only for medicine but also for culture and history, demonstrating how ancient practices can remain relevant in the modern world.

However, researchers stress the importance of caution in interpreting the results. TCM is based on a holistic approach to health, which may be challenging to translate into the language of contemporary evidence-based medicine. Further research is necessary to fully understand and harness the potential of this ancient healing practice in modern medicine.