Therapeutic history of Parkinson's disease in Chinese medical treatises.
BACKGROUND
Chronological research on the therapeutic history of Parkinson's disease (PD) has been conducted by Chinese medical treatises from ancient to modern times. It outlines the division by the early, middle, and modern periods. The precise records for the clinical symptoms of PD and its preliminary treatment prescriptions could date back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). Thereafter (220 AD-1911), due to an increase in the understanding of PD in Chinese medical science, prescriptions for treatment also sprang up.


METHODS
Frequency statistics and cluster analysis have been carried out to elucidate the medication rules and commonly used Chinese medicinal materials (CMM) for prevention and treatment of PD during the middle period.


CONCLUSIONS
In modern times, the dozens of prescriptions or bioactive ingredients of CMM used for the symptomatic treatment of PD have been shown to be effective in clinical trials. However, an analysis of contemporary Chinese clinical literature on PD has suggested the need for more rigorous research methodology before CMM could be adopted by evidence-based medicine.
Zheng
Guo-Qing
GQ
Center of Neurology and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China. gq_zheng@sohu.com
D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000266:history* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000266:history*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000266:history*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000266:history*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal