Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective on the Pathogenesis and Management of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic disorders with diverse clinical manifestations. Jingui Yaolue, or Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, discusses over 40 different diseases in total. This study reveals that some of these diseases, including tanyin (phlegm-dampness), xulao (consumptive disease), and xiaoke (wasting and thirst), exhibit clinical manifestations similar to those of MetS. Furthermore, there are also correspondences between these diseases and MetS in terms of the etiology and pathogenesis. For example, the pathogenesis involves multiple organs, but is centered on the spleen; the disease arises from deficiency and ultimately leads to a dual deficiency of yin and yang; the syndrome patterns are complex and predominantly characterized by phlegm-turbidity. This article summarizes targeted treatment approaches for MetS mentioned in Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, including focusing on the spleen in the treatment of diseases involving multiple organs, supporting the vital energy while dealing with excess syndrome, balancing yin and yang in a state of dual deficiency of both yin and yang, and treating phlegm and blood stasis simultaneously due to the close connection between body fluids and blood. Integrating these treatment principles into current traditional Chinese medicine treatment plans for MetS may help optimize traditional Chinese medicine treatment protocols for MetS and improve clinical outcomes.