Analysis of DIKWP Model Cognitive Pathways for Commonly Used Chinese Herbs During Pregnancy
Yucong Duan
Benefactor: Zhendong Guo
International Standardization Committee of Networked DIKWP for Artificial Intelligence Evaluation(DIKWP-SC)
World Artificial Consciousness CIC(WAC)
World Conference on Artificial Consciousness(WCAC)
(Email: duanyucong@hotmail.com)
Overview
In the decision-making process regarding the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) during pregnancy, the lack of large-scale clinical trial data, diverse and complex knowledge sources, and insufficient safety studies often lead to uncertainties where traditional experience may conflict with modern research. Professor Yucong Duan's proposed DIKWP primitive network model provides a cognitive framework for this scenario. The model consists of five levels: Data (D), Information (I), Knowledge (K), Wisdom (W), and Purpose/Intent (P), and replaces the linear hierarchy with a network structure. The elements are dynamically connected through 25 interactive pathways, enabling bidirectional feedback (based on the networked DIKWP model integrating the Theory of Relational Consciousness and the BUG Theory of Consciousness - Zhihu Column). This model expands the classic DIKW pyramid, emphasizing the driving role of the highest level, "Purpose," in decision-making (Research on the Meaning of Life and Artificial Life in the Digital World Based on DIKWP - Beginner's Edition - Yucong Duan's Blog) (Detailed Explanation of DIKWP Core Components - Beginner's Edition - Yucong Duan's Blog - ScienceNet). In the context of medication use during pregnancy, the "Purpose" typically corresponds to the core intention of ensuring maternal and fetal safety. The DIKWP model can integrate limited experimental data, fragmented information, scattered traditional knowledge, clinical experience (Wisdom), and safety requirements (Purpose) to form a systematic cognitive pathway for evaluating the rationality of TCM. By leveraging the five-level structure and 25 cognitive pathways of this model, we can make more comprehensive and rational judgments regarding the clinical use of TCM during pregnancy, even in situations where data is scarce but safety is paramount.
Below, we select several commonly used Chinese patent medicines and single-herb remedies in typical pregnancy scenarios and conduct a 25-pathway scoring and brief explanation based on the DIKWP model. The comparison of DIKWP scores for each group of drugs/formulas is presented in text tables.
Text Table: Cold-Relief Chinese Patent Medicines: Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan vs. Xiao Chai Hu Ke Li
When choosing medications for colds during pregnancy, it is necessary to balance the effectiveness of relieving symptoms with fetal safety. Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan (derived from the classic formula "Yin Qiao San" for wind-heat colds) and Xiao Chai Hu Ke Li (a preparation of the classical formula "Xiao Chai Hu Tang" for harmonizing the Shaoyang) are commonly used Chinese patent medicines. Their ingredients differ: Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan contains honeysuckle, forsythia, mint, burdock seed, and fermented soybean, among other cool and dispersing herbs, with an overall mild medicinal property. Xiao Chai Hu Ke Li consists of bupleurum, scutellaria, pinellia ternata, codonopsis, and other ingredients, offering the effects of harmonizing the exterior and interior, clearing heat, and stopping vomiting. However, it contains components like pinellia ternata, which require caution during pregnancy. Below is a comparison of their DIKWP 25-pathway scores:
Cognitive Pathway |
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan |
Xiao Chai Hu Ke Li |
Pathway Analysis |
D→D (Data → Data) |
3 |
3 |
Data Sufficiency: Both are classical formulas, but modern efficacy and safety data for pregnant women are limited, relying mainly on historical and clinical reports. |
D→I (Data → Information) |
3 |
3 |
Information Extraction: Drug instructions and guidelines list both as "use with caution" during pregnancy. Cold-relief TCM generally requires physician guidance (e.g., "How to Use Popular Cold Remedies Like Lianhua Qingwen and Xiao Chai Hu Ke Li?"). |
D→K (Data → Knowledge) |
4 |
3 |
Knowledge Association: Yin Qiao San is documented in Warm Disease literature with no clear pregnancy contraindications. Xiao Chai Hu Tang originates from classical texts (e.g., Shang Han Lun), but its pinellia (even ginger-processed) remains cautiously used in pregnancy. |
D→W (Data → Wisdom) |
3 |
3 |
Empirical Insight: Historical TCM practitioners preferred mild cool-relieving formulas like Yin Qiao for pregnant women. Xiao Chai Hu Tang is effective for Shaoyang syndrome but requires expert权衡 (trade-offs) in pregnancy. |
D→P (Data → Purpose) |
4 |
4 |
Goal Orientation: Both aim to relieve maternal cold symptoms and prevent fetal harm from high fever. Limited data must align with safe medication intent. |
Cognitive Pathway |
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan |
Xiao Chai Hu Ke Li |
Pathway Analysis |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
I→D (Information → Data) |
3 |
4 |
Information Validation: Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan has fewer modern studies; Xiao Chai Hu Tang has more (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antiviral), providing some experimental data. |
I→I (Information → Information) |
4 |
4 |
Information Integration: Both have rich clinical data in cold-treatment guidelines but require pregnancy-specific adjustments (e.g., trimester, symptom severity). |
I→K (Information → Knowledge) |
4 |
3 |
Knowledge Construction: Yin Qiao’s clinical reports and pharmacopoeia entries reinforce its safety profile. Xiao Chai Hu’s data primarily apply to general populations, lacking robust pregnancy knowledge. |
I→W (Information → Wisdom) |
3 |
3 |
Experience Transmission: Clinical experience filters cold-medication choices—Yin Qiao is often preferred for pregnancy, while Xiao Chai Hu requires cautious辨证 (syndrome differentiation). |
I→P (Information → Purpose) |
4 |
4 |
Intent Alignment: Physicians select based on symptoms and pregnancy status to balance infection control and fetal safety. Both remain options. |
Cognitive Pathway |