[Inheritance and innovation: theoretical evolution in assessing Dao-di herbs]

Area of Science:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
• Systems Biology
• Biophysics
• Pharmacognosy

Background:

• Dao-di herbs are high-quality TCM from specific regions, crucial for consistent clinical efficacy.
• The assessment theory for Dao-di herbs evolved from appearance-based to modern scientific quantification.
• Current molecular biology approaches are insufficient for complex Dao-di herb quality assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the historical development of Dao-di herb assessment theory.
• To propose a novel biomechanics-driven research framework for refining Dao-di herb quality evaluation.
• To integrate multidisciplinary approaches and artificial intelligence for TCM modernization.

Main Methods:

• Historical literature review of Dao-di herb assessment theories.
• Proposal of a biomechanics and cellular developmental principles research framework.
• Integration of systems theory, molecular biology, cell biology, and biophysics.

Main Results:

• The study outlines the progression from phenomenological assessment to a quality-by-design approach.
• A new research framework is proposed, emphasizing cellular features and environmental influences.
• The integration of AI with experimental data is highlighted for future standardization.

Conclusions:

• A paradigm shift towards systems biology and multidisciplinary approaches is necessary for Dao-di herb research.
• The proposed biomechanics framework offers a novel perspective for understanding and refining Dao-di herb quality.
• Future research should leverage AI and data-driven methods to meet precision medicine demands and standardize TCM.