Conceptual targets: meridian system, five element organ system, autonomic nervous system

The meridian system, five element organ system, and autonomic nervous system represent a heterogeneous grouping of physiological frameworks and traditional medical concepts. The meridian system and five element organ system (Wu Xing) are central to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where they describe the flow of vital energy (Qi) and the functional relationships between organ systems and natural elements [1][2]. In contrast, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a well-defined biological system in Western medicine responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate and digestion through sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways [3]. While the ANS contains numerous specific molecular targets like adrenergic and muscarinic receptors, the TCM concepts are holistic and do not correspond to single molecular entities [4]. This grouping is not a valid therapeutic target in the context of modern drug discovery, as it lacks a specific protein or nucleic acid structure for ligand binding [5]. Instead, these systems are used to describe broad physiological states or diagnostic patterns in integrative medicine [6]. The inclusion of these disparate concepts under a single target heading is scientifically irregular for pharmacological classification. [1] NCCIH (2023) 'Traditional Chinese Medicine'; [2] Wikipedia 'Wu Xing'; [3] StatPearls (2023) 'Physiology, Autonomic Nervous System'; [4] Longhurst (2010) 'Defining Meridians', J Acupunct Meridian Stud; [5] NIH 'Autonomic Nervous System Disorders'; [6] WHO 'International Standard Terminologies on Traditional Medicine'.

Other names

Traditional Chinese Medicine systemsANSWu XingJing-LuoZang-Fu

Not applicable as these are physiological systems or conceptual frameworks rather than specific molecular targets.