Data mining-based analysis on medication rules of Chinese herbal medicine treating headache with blood stasis syndrome

Guang-Hui Liu; Hui-Ting Yang; Li Bai; Yang Wang; En-Long Wang; Xiu-Ye Sun; Hong-Yuan Zhang; Li Zhou; Zhe Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14996

Data mining-based analysis on medication rules of Chinese herbal medicine treating headache with blood stasis syndrome

Heliyon. 2023 Mar 30;9(4):e14996. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14996. eCollection 2023 Apr.

Authors

Guang-Hui Liu^{1

2}, Hui-Ting Yang¹, Li Bai², Yang Wang³, En-Long Wang², Xiu-Ye Sun⁴, Hong-Yuan Zhang², Li Zhou^{5

6

7}, Zhe Zhang⁸

Affiliations

¹ Graduate College, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.79, Chongshan East Road, Huanggu District, 110847, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
² Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.33, Beiling Street, Huanggu District, 110032, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
³ Office of Academic Research, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.33, Beiling Street, Huanggu District, 110032, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
⁴ Department of Rehabilitation, Second Hospital Affiliated to Liaoning University Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.60, Huanghe North Street, 110034, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
⁵ Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No.111, Dade Road, Yuexiu District, 510120, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
⁶ Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No.111, Dade Road, Yuexiu District, 510120, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
⁷ Key Unit of Methodology in Clinical Research, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, No.111, Dade Road, Yuexiu District, 510120, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
⁸ Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Engineering Technology Centre, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.79, Chongshan East Road, Huanggu District, 110847, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.

Abstract

Objective: The incidence of headaches with blood stasis syndrome has increased. Herein, we used scientific, statistical methods to explore the medication rules of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) to treat headaches with blood stasis syndrome and provide a scientific and reliable theoretical basis for clinical treatment.

Methods: First, we retrieved studies related to CHMs used to treat headaches with blood stasis syndrome from the VIP, CNKI, Wanfang, and PubMed databases. We used Excel 2013 to establish a database and SPSS Modeler 18.0 and SPSS 25.0 to conduct frequency, association rule, and cluster analyses.

Results: Based on the screening criteria, we retrieved 126 CHM prescriptions for headaches with blood stasis syndrome involving 149 herbs. The top three high-frequency herbs were Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), Angelica Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Carthami Flos (Honghua). Blood-activating and stasis-eliminating herbs were the most frequently used herb efficacy categories. The liver meridian represented the most frequently used herb meridian tropism. The properties and taste of herbs were mainly warm and bitter, respectively. We obtained 21 association rules and five new clusters. The Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong) and Angelica Sinensis Radix (Danggui) herb pair had the strongest correlation.

Conclusion: We analyzed published CHM prescriptions for headaches with blood stasis syndrome and eliminated factors that did not reach an agreement, such as herb dosage. We used different data mining and analysis methods to ensure that the method and process were scientific and the conclusion was reliable, comprising a valuable reference for selecting herbs for the clinical treatment of headaches with blood stasis syndrome. The Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZYD) was the primary CHM prescription for headaches with blood stasis syndrome. Xiaoyao San (XYS) and Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) might also be clinical references for treatment selection. Meridian-inducing and insect herbs might be used according to syndromes.

Keywords: Blood stasis syndrome; Chinese herbal medicine; Data mining; Headache; Medication rule.