ABSTRACT
Modern medicine is a deductive science, whereas traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is inductive. Deductive medicine has a speci˜c focus, but as a consequence the general need of the individual might be neglected. TCM does not relate to very speci˜c targets or problems, but aims at improving the general well-being of the individual by maintaining an effective balance between various physiological functions. This holistic approach, by which the individual is kept in a biologically balanced state, allows the mobilization of biological reserves to take care of physiological problems (Campion 1993). In contrast, the deductive approach relies on accurate targets, mandates specialization, and is largely disease focused rather than patient focused. Neglect of holistic care by modern medicine is one of the important reasons behind the increasing support for alternative care and over-the-counter health preparations (Eisenberg et al. 1993). If the two divergent systems of medical science can be harmonized, more clinical problems can be solved. Holistic care to promote physiological balance to allow spontaneous adjustment and the building up of better bodily defenses could supplement
20.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 419 20.2 The Ef˜cacy-Driven Approach to Research in Herbal Medicines and
the Role of Chemometrics Fingerprinting: An Overview .................................................... 420 20.3 An Herbal Formulation for the Promotion of Cardiovascular Well-Being:
Danshen and Gegen .............................................................................................................. 421 20.3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 421 20.3.2 Ef˜cacy Testing in Experimental Study (Animal and In Vitro Testing) .................. 422 20.3.3 Ef˜cacy Testing in Clinical Study ............................................................................424 20.3.4 Summary of the Cardioprotective Effects of the Danshen-Gegen Formulation ..... 426
20.4 Quality Control of Herbs: The Chemometrics Approach ..................................................... 428 20.4.1 Background ............................................................................................................... 428 20.4.2 The Pattern-Oriented Approach in Chemometrics ................................................... 429 20.4.3 Separation Techniques Used in the Multicompound Chemometric Approach ........ 429 20.4.4 Application of Chemometric Approach in the Quality Control of Herbs ................ 432 20.4.5 Example with Danshen, Gegen, and Danshen-Gegen Formulation ........................ 433 20.4.6 Summary .................................................................................................................. 434
20.5 Concluding Remarks ............................................................................................................ 434 Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................... 435 References ...................................................................................................................................... 435
aggressive single-target modern medicine to remove a speci˜c problem. Such harmonization of the two systems could lead to better and more holistic treatment of individuals within a modern medicine setting that is science based and evidence based. This requires research into ef˜cacy that goes beyond speci˜c targets. However, it also requires research to ensure the quality of herbal medicines, which are often misidenti˜ed, contaminated, or adulterated.
