Research Progress on the Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Bowel Preparation Before Colonoscopy

DOI: 10.12201/bmr.202601.00054

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  Abstract: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal tumor screening, but its effectiveness heavily depends on the quality of bowel preparation. Currently, the widely used compound polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder in clinical practice has a certain rate of inadequate bowel preparation, particularly among the elderly, patients with chronic constipation, and those with diabetes. This article systematically reviews the application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including single herbs, herbal formulas, and proprietary Chinese medicines, as well as non-pharmacological TCM therapies (such as acupoint application, acupuncture, and massage) in bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy in recent years. Existing studies indicate that TCM interventions can effectively improve bowel cleanliness, enhance patient tolerance and comfort, and reduce adverse reactions. This review aims to provide evidence-based support for optimizing clinical bowel preparation protocols.

  Key words: Traditional Chinese Medicine; Non-pharmacological TCM therapies; Bowel preparation

  Submit time: 18 January 2026

  Copyright: The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted biomedRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.
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  1	2025-07-30	10.12201/bmr.202601.00054V1	Download

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