Application of digital-intelligence technology in the processing of Chinese materia medica

Wanlong Zhang; Changhua Zhang; Lan Cao; Fang Liang; Weihua Xie; Liang Tao; Chen Chen; Ming Yang; Lingyun Zhong

doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1208055

Application of digital-intelligence technology in the processing of Chinese materia medica

Front Pharmacol. 2023 Aug 24:14:1208055. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1208055. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Wanlong Zhang^#¹, Changhua Zhang^#^{1

2}, Lan Cao¹, Fang Liang³, Weihua Xie¹, Liang Tao², Chen Chen⁴, Ming Yang⁵, Lingyun Zhong¹

Affiliations

¹ College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
² Nanchang Research Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
³ College of Physical Culture, Yuzhang Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
⁴ School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁵ Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine Preparation of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Processing of Chinese Materia Medica (PCMM) is the concentrated embodiment, which is the core of Chinese unique traditional pharmaceutical technology. The processing includes the preparation steps such as cleansing, cutting and stir-frying, to make certain impacts on the quality and efficacy of Chinese botanical drugs. The rapid development of new computer digital technologies, such as big data analysis, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and cloud computing artificial intelligence, has promoted the rapid development of traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing industry with digitalization and intellectualization. In this review, the application of digital intelligence technology in the PCMM was analyzed and discussed, which hopefully promoted the standardization of the process and secured the quality of botanical drugs decoction pieces. Through the intellectualization and the digitization of production, safety and effectiveness of clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction pieces were ensured. This review also provided a theoretical basis for further technical upgrading and high-quality development of TCM industry.

Keywords: Chinese medicine processing; application progress; digital and intelligent technologies; industrialization; standardization.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This work was funded by Key laboratory of TCM Processing Technology, Jiangxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Education No.8 (2022); TCM processing technology inheritance and innovation team (No. CXTD22003); Jiangxi Province Shuangqian Talent Plan Project [Gancaiban No.9 (2019)]; Chinese Medicine Standardization Project of Jiangxi Province (No. 2020B01 and No. 2020B04); Gan Po Talent Support Program - Academic and technical leaders training program in major disciplines for Zhang CH (Academic - Leading talent); the Nanchang Key Laboratory of Drug Development and Transformation for Prevention and Treatment of Cancer and Endocrine Metabolic Diseases [Hongkezi No.165 (2023)]; Horizontal project of Nanchang Research Institute of Sun Yat-sen University (H20221206); Science and Technology Project of Education Department of Jiangxi Province (GJJ213111); CC was supported by Australian NHMRC and The University of Queensland.