Abstract:In recent decades, scientists in Asian and Western countries have been paying great attention to ginseng research. Today, more than 200 ginsenosides and non-saponin constituents have been isolated and identified. Ginsenosides show biological activities only after being deglycosylated by intestinal bacteria. Aglycone protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol show the highest bioactivities. According to literature, the noticeable action of ginseng is that of delaying aging and especially increasing the nootropic effect, and it was found for the first time that Rg1 could increase hippocampal neurogenesis in vitro and in vivo under physiological and pathological circumstances. This is one of primary mechanisms underlying many of its pharmacological actions on the central nervous system. Rg1 was further shown to improve learning and memory in normal rats and mice. The nootropic signaling pathway has also been carried out in normal rats, and the Rg1-induced signaling pathway is similar to the memory formation that occurs in mammals, suggesting that Rg1 may have a potential effect in increasing intellectual capacity in normal people. Comparisons of chemical structures and pharmacologic functions between Panax ginseng and Panax quiquefolium were carried out by many scientists. The conclusion is that each has its own characteristics. There is no superiority or inferiority to the other.  
Abstract:To objectively assess the clinical efficacy and safety of a new Pulian Ointment (新普连膏, NPLO) in treating psoriasis of blood-heat syndrome of Chinese medicine. A total of 108 patients with psoriasis of blood-heat syndrome were equally assigned, using a randomizing digital table, to the test group treated externally with NPLO and the control group treated with placebo; the medication was done using a singleblinded method twice a day. Meanwhile, all patients received by oral intake a conventional Chinese decoction for clearing heat and cooling blood; the therapeutic course was 4 weeks for both groups. The therapeutic efficacy, changes in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and various aspects of the lesion, including scaly eruption, erythema, infiltration, size, score of itching as well as adverse reactions were observed. The trial was completed in 100 patients, 51 in the test group and 49 in the control group. The remarkably effective rate was 45.10% and the total effective rate was 84.31% in the test group, which were significantly higher than those in the control group, 12.24% and 51.02%, respectively, showing a significant difference between groups (P<0.01). The test group also showed better effects in the improvement of the PASI score of the lesions and scores on erythema, infiltration, size of lesion as well as itching. No adverse event was found in either group. NPLO is a Chinese remedy for the external treatment of psoriasis of the blood-heat syndrome with a reliable therapeutic efficacy and good safety.  
Abstract:To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of combined Chinese drugs and chemotherapy in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Sixty-three patients with stage III B and IV NSCLC hospitalized from October 2001 to October 2008 were enrolled and assigned to two groups using a randomizing digital table, with 33 patients in the treatment group and 30 in the control group. They were all treated with the Navelbine and Cisplatin (NP) chemotherapy, but to the treatment group the Chinese drugs Shengmai Injection (生脉注射液) by intravenous dripping and Gujin Granule (固金颗粒冲剂) by oral intake were given additionally. The main observation indexes were response rate (RR), median survival time, 1-year survival rate and median time to progression (TTP); secondary observation indexes were side effects and cycles of chemotherapy. Altogether, 61 patients (33 from the treatment group and 28 from the control group) completed the observation and were assessable. RR was 48.5% (16/33) in the treatment group and 32.2% (9/28) in the control group, and the median survival time were 13 months and 9 months, respectively; the difference between the two groups was significant (P=0.0373 and P=0.014 respectively). However, the differences between groups were insignificant in terms of 1-year survival rate [51.5% (17/33) vs 46.4% (13/28), P=0.4042], median TTP (5.95 months vs 4.64 months, P=0.3242), grade III or IV bone marrow inhibition occurrence rate [33.3% (11/33) vs 39.3% (11/28), P=0.3500], and mean cycles of chemotherapy applied (2.94±0.94 cycles vs 2.75±0.75 cycles, P=0.4100). Combined Chinese drugs and chemotherapy can enhance the short-term therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of NSCLC and prolong patients’ median survival time, but show no evident impact on TTP.  
Keywords:Chinese Medicine;Navelbine and Cisplatin chemotherapy;advanced non-small cell lung cancer;randomized controlled
Abstract:To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effects of oral administration and external application of Chinese drugs combined with micro-invasive surgery for the treatment of varicose ulcers in the lower extremities (ecthyma). A total of 152 patients (163 limbs) suffering from varicose ulcers on the lower limbs were assigned to two groups according to the patients’ willingness. The 102 cases (109 limbs) in the treatment group underwent the method of endovenous microwave closure of communicating veins combined with oral administration and external application of Chinese drugs before and after the operation. The 50 cases (54 limbs) in the control group, were treated with oral administration and external application of Chinese drugs only. Clinical manifestations, including the condition of ulcer healing, the improvement conditions of alogotrophy, edema and other symptoms, were observed before and after 3 months of treatment. The clinical healing rate, the ulcer healing time, and the ulcer recurrence rate, were compared between the two groups. All the patients were followed-up 3 months after treatment. The follow-up was carried out for 3 to 42 months (mean 30.5 months). In the treatment group, 99 patients (106 limbs) were clinically cured, and the clinical healing rate was 97.06%; the ulcer healing time was 9–101 days (average 31.25±8.28 days) and 3 cases (5 limbs) had recurrence; the ulcer recurrence rate was 5.81%. In the control group, 40 patients (43 limbs) were clinically cured, with a clinical healing rate of 80.00%; the ulcer healing time was 10–152 days (average 50.60±12.31 day) and 5 cases (7 limbs) recurred, with the ulcer recurrence rate being 20.59%. The effects in the treatment group were obviously better than those in the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The oral administration and external application of Chinese drugs combined with micro-invasive surgery for the treatment of varicose ulcers in the lower extremities has a significant curative effect, with a higher clinical healing rate, shorter ulcer healing time and lower ulcer recurrence rate than either treatment alone.  
Keywords:ecthyma;varicose ulcer;treatment of integrated Chinese and Western medicine;microwave;endovenous;micro-invasiveness
Abstract:To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture in treating cervical spondylosis with different syndrome types. One hundred and seventeen patients were randomized into the treated group: (59 cases), treated with normal acupuncture, and the control group (58 cases), treated with sham acupuncture, operated once every other day, 9 times in total (in 18 days) as one therapeutic course, and a succeeding 3-month follow-up study was carried out after terminating the therapy. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated with the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the scores gained in patients with different syndrome types were analyzed with a general linear model. The NPQ and VAS: scores showed a linear decreasing tendency in both groups at the time of ending treatment and the 1st month of follow-up, but showed a secondary curve increasing tendency in the 3rd month of follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed the difference was of statistical significance (P<0.05). However, the analysis through lead-in of syndrome type as an individual influencing factor showed that syndrome type exerts a significant influence on VAS score (P<0.05), but has insignificant influence on the NPQ score (P>0.05). Acupuncture shows: good immediate effect in treating cervical spondylosis, but its long-term effect is not satisfactory. The difference in syndrome type may have some impact on the effects of acupuncture in alleviating pain, but exerts no evident influence on the comprehensive effect.  
Abstract:To study the effect of retention enema of Chinese herbal medicine combined with allopurinol in treating hyperuricaemia (HUE). Seventy-eight patients with HUE were assigned to two: groups, the 40 patients in the treated group were treated with retention enema of Chinese herbal medicine combined with oral intake of allopurinol, and the 38 patients in the control group were treated with allopurinol alone. The therapeutic course for all was 6 weeks. The clinical efficacy, changes of symptoms, blood levels of uric acid and lipids, renal function, and 24 h urinary micro-albumin were observed. The total effective rate was: 92.5% in the treated group, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (68.4%, P<0.05). After treatment, the score of symptoms in the treated group decreased from 9.43±1.15 scores to 3.25±0.85 scores, significantly lower than that in the control group (9.75±1.43 scores vs 9.25±0.82 scores, P<0.01). Moreover, the post-treatment improvements in blood uric acid, blood lipids, renal function and 24h urinary micro-albumin in the treated group were all better than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Retention enema with: Chinese herbal medicine combined with allopurinol could obviously reduce the uric acid level in blood, improve patients’ renal function and lipid metabolism, and alleviate the clinical symptoms in patients with HUE.  
Abstract:To explore the mechanism of Danggui Buxue Decoction (当归补血汤, DBD) on the liver fifibrosis related to hepatic lipid peroxidation and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) −2/9 activities. The liver fifibrosis in 28 rats was induced by an injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and fed with high lipid and low protein diet for 6 weeks, the model rats were randomly divided into the model group and DBD treated group, 14 in each group, and another 10 rats as the normal group were observed as well. Rats in the DBD group were administered with DBD at the dose of 6 g/kg body weight for 6 weeks since CCl4 intoxication. The hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were examined with HE and Sirius red stain. The liver function including serum alanine aminotransamine (ALT), aspartate transamine (AST), albumin (Alb) and total bilirubin (TBIL), liver triglyceride (TG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were assayed. Hepatic hydroxyproline (Hyp) content was detected with Jamall’s method. The α-SMA expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and the Western blot. Liver MMP-2 mRNA was analyzed with Real-time PCR, and MMP-2/9 activities were measured with gelatin zymography and in situ zymography. Compared with the normal group, the levels of ALT, AST and TBIL, the content of Hyp, TG and MDA were remarkably increased, the Alb content and SOD activity were signifificantly decreased in the model group (P<0.05), and higher levels of MMP-2 mRNA and MMP-2/9 activities (P<0.01), the hepatic fatty degeneration and collagen accumulation and fifibrosis at liver were observed. Compared with the model control, DBD group showed slighter hepatic fatty degeneration and collagen deposition, and had lower levels of ALT, AST and TBIL activities, lower contents of MDA, TG and Hyp, but higher SOD level and Alb content (P<0.05), and DBD also down-regulated MMP-2 mRNA expression and decreased MMP-2/9 activities in the fifibrotic livers (P<0.01). The action of DBD against liver fibrosis is related to prevent lipid peroxidation and inhibit MMP-2/9 activities in the fibrotic livers.  
Abstract:To demonstrate the vasodilatation activity of the coumarin-containing Angelica dahurica var. formosana and to further analyze active components in the herb extracts. (1) The vasodilatation effects induced by different extracts (cyclohexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol, 95 % ethanol and water) of Angelica dahurica var. formosana on mouse thoracic aorta pre-contracted with phenylephrine were investigated. (2) The amount of imperatorin and isoimperatorin in each extract was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. (3) The vasodilatation effects of imperatorin and isoimperatorin on mouse thoracic aorta were compared using the same in vitro method. (4) The vasodilatation mechanism of imperatorin in the mouse thoracic aorta pre-contracted with phenylephrine was studied using the methods of denuded endothelium, NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), and propranolol. (1) The cyclohexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Angelica dahurica var. formosana decreased the maximal response of phenylephrine-induced mouse thoracic aorta contraction dose-dependently, with 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50) values of 35.3±12.4 mg/L and 40.5±12.0 mg/L, respectively. The vasodilatation effect of imperatorin and isoimperatorin was dose-dependent. (2) The cyclohexane extract, showing the strongest vasodilatation effect, possessed the highest contents of imperatorin (4.09%) and isoimperatorin (0.27%, w/w). There was a correlation between the vasodilatation activity and the contents of imperatorin and isoimperatorin in the extracts. (3) The vasodilatation effect of imperatorin was about 4-fold stronger than that of isoimperatorin. (4) The vasodilatation effect of imperatorin was signifificantly attenuated to 24.88%±4.06% in the denuded endothelium group compared with the intact endothelium group. And 1 mmol/L L-NAME reduced the imperatorin-induced vasorelaxation by 32.18 %±11.29 %. The principal effective component of Angelica dahurica var. Formosana was found to be imperatorin. Imperatorin-induced vasodilatation is at least partially regulated by nitric oxide, and has no correlation to β-receptor.  
Keywords:Angelica dahurica var. formosana;thoracic aorta;vasodilatation;imperatorin;isoimperatorin;high-performance liquid chromatography
Abstract:To investigate the effects of Chlorophytum borivilianum (CB) on sexual dysfunction, loss of body weight, and lack of libido in hyperglycemic rats induced with streptozotocin or alloxan. Wistar strain male albino rats were divided into five groups of six animals each: the control group (2% polyvinylpyrollidone solution), the streptozotocin control group (50 mg/kg), the alloxan control group (100 mg/kg), the streptozotocin + CB treated group (200 mg/kg), and the alloxan + CB treated group (200 mg/kg). Only after confirming the induction of diabetes, the animals of test groups were treated with CB. The sexual behavior of male rats of in presence of female rat in a special cage was recorded. The effects of induced diabetes in control groups and on simultaneous extract treatment in CB treated groups were tested for sexual parameters. The parameters evaluated included mount, ejaculation, and intromission latencies/frequencies, hesitation time, and penile erection index. Parallel to this, using a separate set of similarly treated animals, the influence of diabetes and CB treatment on anabolism and weight of secondary sexual organs were determined on day 0 and day 28 of the treatment. CB extract treatment ameliorated the diabetes-induced dysfunction at 200 mg/kg dose. There was very low weight loss (P<0.05) in CB-treated animals as compared to the diabetic control. There was a very high latency time (P<0.05) in the diabetic animals, whereas the latency time was very low in CB-treated animals. Mount, intromission, and ejaculation frequencies were very high (P<0.01) in CB-treated animals, while streptozotocin and alloxan groups animals had a very significantly lower sexual behavior (P<0.05) compared to the normo-glycemic control group animals. CB can significantly ameliorate diabetes-induced sexual dysfunction. Polysaccharide and saponin-rich aqueous extract appears to have the most suitable effects on diabetes and its associated effects on sexual functionality.  
Keywords:Ayurvedic Rasayana;Chlorophytum borivilianum;diabetes induced sexual dysfunction;Safed Musli
Abstract:To observe the effect of warming moxibustion on Shenque acupoint (RN8) for the treatment of acute diarrhea in children with infantile cerebral palsy (ICP). Clinical observation was performed on 60 ICP children suffering from acute diarrhea, who were randomly assigned to two groups equally. The Mox group was treated with warming moxibustion on Shenque acupoint (RN8) and the control group treated with Smecta. The efficacy was evaluated by markedly effective rate and total effective rate after a 6-day treatment, diarrhea arresting time as well as stool examination normalization rate and rotavirus negative reversion rate after a 3-day treatment. The total effective rate in the two groups was insignificantly different (P>0.05), but the markedly effective rate was significantly higher in the Mox group than in the control group (P<0.01); a significant difference was also seen between groups in terms of diarrhea arresting time, stool examination normalization rate and rotavirus negative reversion rate (all P<0.05). Warming moxibustion on Shenque acupoint is an effective treatment for acute diarrhea in ICP children, with advantages of simple manipulation and rapid effect initiation.  
Abstract:To observe the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Gubitong Recipe (骨痹通方, GBT) in treating osteoarthritis (OA) of knee joint. Ninety patients with knee osteoarthritis were equally assigned, according to a randomizing digital table, to the treatment group and the control group. The treatment group was treated with GBT Decoction one dose every day and the control group with glucosamine sulfate 500 mg thrice a day, respectively, for eight successive weeks. Besides, diclofenac sodium could be given as supplementary dugs with the dosage used recorded if necessary. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC, an index reflecting the degree of joint pain, stiffness, and dysfunction) in patients was assessed before and after treatment, and the patients’ symptoms were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) as well. Moreover, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), blood C-reactive protein (CRP), blood and urinary routine tests, liver and kidney function examination, and the adverse reaction that occurred during the treatment period were observed. WOMAC index and integral VAS value were lowered in both groups after treatment, showing significant statistical difference as compared with before treatment (P<0.05), but the decrement of WOMAC index in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05). ESR and CRP levels remained unchanged in all patients, and the proportion and mean dosage of diclofenac sodium used were similar in the two groups. No evident adverse reaction occurred during the treatment period. GBT is an effective and safe recipe for the treatment of osteoarthritis of knee joint, which could alleviate the joint pain, stiffness, and dysfunction.  
Keywords:osteoarthritis;Gubitong Recipe;Chinese Drug
Abstract:To explore the cardiac protective effect of integrative therapy in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with elevated ST segment after reperfusion. Sixty-four AMI patients who having received decimalization by thrombolysis were assigned to two groups by retrospective analysis, 36 patients in the treated group and 28 in the control group. Both were treated by intravenous administering of urokinase for thrombolysis, and to the treated group, intravenous dripping of Xueshuantong Injection (血栓通注射液, XST) was added. Serum levels of myocardial associated enzymes were monitored before treatment and at various time points after thrombolysis, and the heart function parameters were detected with color echocardiography before treatment and on the 7th and 14th day of treatment. The patients were followed up for 6 months to observe the incidence of cardiac events. The differences between groups at the peak and peak appearing time of creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme were not significant. All the heart function parameters on the 7th and 14th day in the treated group were improved and superior to those at the corresponding time points in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Incidence of some heart events in the treated group within the 6-month follow-up period was lesser than that in the control group (P<0.05). XST Injection could provide effective protection for the heart after reperfusion.  
Keywords:acute myocardial infarction with elevated ST-segment;integrative medical therapy;Xueshuantong Injection
Abstract:Aging is a normal physiological process in human life. The decline in the ability to repair and regenerate predisposes the aging person to develop disabling problems in the cardiovascular and skeletal systems. Full awareness of aging problems and advocations on the means to prevent their occurrence are mounting. European and US groups rely on scientific, target-oriented means to treat aging manifestations. Oriental medicine aims at prevention, using nutrition and exercise to maintain internal harmony.  
Abstract:This article presents an integrated overview of Guanxin II (冠心II号) regarding its quality control, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, clinical studies, adverse events, dosage and administration, and its pharmacoeconomic assessment. It has been demonstrated that Guanxin II has beneficial effects on coronary heart disease (CHD). The underlying mechanism was proved to be its anti-ischemic, anti-apoptotic, antioxidative, antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects, and so on. Tanshinol, hydroxysafflor yellow A and ferulic acid might be responsible for the cardioprotective effect of Guanxin II. In terms of acquisition cost, Guanxin II is cheaper than other drugs currently available for CHD. Guanxin II is safe, cheap, and effective in the management of CHD. However, the mechanism of its cardioprotective effects has not been completely understood because of limitations in the research methodologies of Chinese medicine. Further work should be carried out with single components such as tanshinol, hydroxysafflor yellow A and ferulic acid, using modern biochemical and molecular methods.