Modern immunology is crucial to revealing the biological mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine

Abstract

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a major holistic approach to health and disease, has been used for a long time globally (>100 years) and in China (>1000 years) for various medical conditions. However, the contrast between TCM and modern medicine is remarkable, and the underlying mechanisms of TCM remain unclear. In modern medicine, immunology is a complex, holistic defense system against pathogens, preserving homeostasis and influencing disease development. Notably, TCM and immunology share core concepts, such as holism, defense mechanisms, equilibrium, balance, and circadian rhythms. This review focuses on the similarities and distinctions between these two disciplines and sheds light on ancient TCM theories by leveraging modern immunological parameters. In addition, we emphasize the potential of advanced “omics” research methods to unravel TCM's mechanisms, providing compelling biological evidence for its therapeutic principles and effects using immunological data.

Keywords

• Traditional Chinese medicine
• Immunology
• Holism
• Equilibrium
• Personalized medicine