Q-marker identification strategies in traditional Chinese medicines: a systematic review of research from 2020 to 2024
Abstract
Background The concept of “quality markers” (Q-markers) has emerged as a key solution to address limitations in the evaluation and standardization of traditional herbal medicines. Despite the introduction of various Q-marker identification strategies, methodological inconsistencies and a lack of standardization continue to pose challenges. Objectives This review aims to systematically organize and evaluate Q-marker selection strategies published over the past 5 years and propose an optimal approach based on a comparative analysis of their strengths and limitations. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed on the Web of Science and PubMed for studies published between January 2020 and December 2024 using keywords related to Q-marker identification in traditional prescriptions. After removing duplicates and screening for relevance, the eligible studies were systematically reviewed. Key information, including the prescription name, therapeutic targets, methodological steps for Q-marker selection, and the final identified Q-markers, was extracted and organized into summary tables. Based on the analysis, the advantages and limitations of each strategy were evaluated. Results The studies were categorized into four representative strategies: [S1] mechanism-driven validation, which relies on network pharmacology and bioassays to align compounds with disease pathways (22 cases, 36.67%); [S2] profile–effect correlation modeling, which uses statistical and machine…
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