Exploration of medication patterns and new formulas for patented Chinese herbal medicine compound therapy for colorectal cancer in the past 20 years

Abstract

Objective To analyze the medication usage and compatibility patterns of Chinese herbal medicine compound formulas in patents for intervening in colorectal cancer (CRC) over the past 20 years based on data mining, in order to provide a foundation for the development of new clinical medications. Methods Patented Chinese herbal medicine compound formulas for treating CRC were retrieved in the Wanfang database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from their inception until January 17, 2024. Data analysis was performed using Excel 2019 software to assess drug frequency, properties, flavors, and meridian associations. SPSS Modeler 18.0 and SPSS Statistics 27 software suites were used for deriving drug association rules and performing cluster analysis. A complex network of core drug co-occurrences was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.0 software to demonstrate associations of potential new formulations and new drugs. Results In total, 158 Chinese herbal medicine compound patents were included for CRC treatment, encompassing 448 Chinese herbal medicines. High-frequency medicines included Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), Hedyotis diffusa (Baihua Sheshecao), Poria cocos (Fuling), Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu), etc. The predominant type of medicine was deficiency-tonifying drugs, with the nature of the drugs being primarily cold and warm, and the flavors mostly bitter, sweet, and pungent. The meridians were chiefly associated with the liver, spleen, lung, and stomach. Herbs commonly used for pairs included Scutellariae barbatae Herba (Banzhilian), Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu), Poria cocos (Fuling), etc., while commonly used triangular medicines included Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) and Hedyotis diffusa (Baihua Sheshecao). There were four clusters of drugs, including Scutellaria barbata D. Don (Banzhilian)- Hedyotis diffusa (Baihua Sheshecao), and five groups of potential drugs, including “Phyllanthus emblica (Yuganzi)-Radix hedysari (Hongqi)-Semen punicae granati (Shiliuzi)-Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Chuanjiao)-Entada phaseoloides (Hetengzi)”. The core new formula for treating CRC was selected through topological attribute analysis. Conclusion Chinese herbal medicine patent formulas for treating CRC primarily use tonifying herbs, employing methods such as tonifying Qi and supporting the body, clearing heat and dampness, and resolving blood stasis and detoxification. The clustering of drugs focuses on Hedyotis diffusa (Baihua Sheshecao) and Scutellaria barbata D. Don (Banzhilian), which may offer new formulation ideas and provide reference for clinical treatment and new drug development for CRC.

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• chinese herbal medicine compounds
• patents
• data mining
• association rules
• clustering analysis
• medication law