Activation of blood circulation and resolution of blood stasis (ABCRSBS)

"Activation of blood circulation and resolution of blood stasis" (Huoxue Huayu) is a fundamental therapeutic principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) rather than a single molecular target or receptor. It describes a pharmacological strategy aimed at treating "Blood Stasis Syndrome," a pathological state characterized by impaired blood flow, microcirculatory disturbances, and internal hemorrhage or clotting (Li et al., 2017, DOI: 10.1155/2017/9085293). Modern pharmacological research indicates that herbs categorized under this principle exert systemic effects by targeting multiple pathways including the coagulation system, platelet activation, and vascular endothelial function (Wang et al., 2020, DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00843). Clinically, this principle is applied to manage various conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and chronic inflammatory disorders where blood flow is compromised. The therapeutic action is typically achieved through multi-component herbal formulations like Xuefu Zhuyu decoction, which interact with various proteins such as thrombin, cyclooxygenase (COX), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (Chen et al., 2011, PMID: 21634044). Because it is a holistic treatment concept encompassing broad physiological shifts, it cannot be mapped to a single gene or protein entry in biological databases.

Other names

Huoxue HuayuPromoting blood circulation and removing blood stasisInvigorating blood and resolving stasisBlood-activating and stasis-resolving

The mechanism involves a multi-target approach that includes the regulation of the coagulation cascade, inhibition of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthesis, reduction of blood viscosity, and enhancement of nitric oxide (NO) release for vasodilation. It also involves the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6, and the modulation of the VEGF pathway to improve angiogenesis and microvascular perfusion.