Latest Issue

    2012 Year 18 Vol. 8 Issue

      OriginalPaper

    • Yi-yang Hu
      2012, 18(8): 563-564. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1029-7
      Abstract:In this review, the researches on Chinese herb components with anti-hepatic fibrosis activity in China in the recent 20 years were generalized. Almost thirty active herb components attracted author’s attention, especially, salvianolic acid B and oxymatrine which were investigated comprehensively. Moreover, the author considered that, in view of the complex pathogenesis and the multi-pathway and multi-target superiority of Chinese medicine formula, the effective components formula investigations deserve more attention and probably prompt a potential researching direction.  
      Keywords:Liver Fibrosis;Chinese Materia Medica;active component   
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    • Garima Garg,James D. Adams
      2012, 18(8): 565-570. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1188-6
      Abstract:Neuropathic pain is a common and very prevalent disorder affecting the citizens of both developed and developing countries. The approved and licensed drugs for neuropathic pain are reported to have associated side effects. Traditional plant treatments have been used throughout the world for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Among the many medications and other alternative medicines, several herbs are known to cure and control neuropathic pain with no side effects. The present paper discusses the plants with neuropathic pain and related beneficial effects originating from different parts of world that are of current interest.  
      Keywords:neuropathic pain;peripheral neuropathy;medicinal plants   
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    • Jia He,Yihyun Kwon,Chao Li,Xue-qi Zhang,Jian-guo Zhao
      2012, 18(8): 571-574. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1186-8
      Abstract:Nowadays, a great number of traditional Chinese patent medicine (TCPM) are used more and more widely to treat cerebral infarction in China. When great attention is paid to using TCPM in the real world, several problems can be identified: ignoring the Chinese medicine (CM) therapeutic principle based on syndrome differentiation, a lack of appropriate dosage and usage based on individual patient conditions, and a shortage of evidence from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Furthermore, in terms of evaluation of the TCPM effectiveness, few comprehensive criteria and evaluation methods recognized by the international community exist. This article addresses some opinions regarding the above mentioned problems. Prof. ZHAO Jian-guo  
      Keywords:Cerebral Infarction;ischemic stroke;traditional Chinese patent medicine   
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    • Zhi-zhong Wang,Yong-fei Fang,Yong Wang,Fang-xiang Mu,Jun Chen,Qing-hua Zou,Bing Zhong,Jing-yi Li,Gan-ping Bo,Rong-hua Zhang
      2012, 18(8): 575-581. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1172-1
      Abstract:To investigate a method for quantitative differential diagnosis of damp-heat and cold-damp impeding syndrome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Chinese medicine (CM). Laboratory parameters were collected from 306 patients with RA. The clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters were compared between patients with these two syndromes (158 with RA of damp-heat impeding syndrome, and 148 with RA of cold-damp impeding syndrome), and a regression equation was established to facilitate discrimination of the two RA syndromes. There were significant differences in disease activity score in 28 joints [DAS28 (4)], erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet count (PLT), albumin (ALB) and globulin (GLB) between the two syndrome of RA (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the parameters ESR, WBC, CRP, joint pyrexia, joint cold, thirst, sweating, aversion to wind and cold, and cold extremities were statistically useful to discriminate damp-heat from cold-damp impeding syndrome. The regression equation was as follows: P=1/{1+exp[-(3.0-0.021X 1-0.196X 2-0.163X 3-1.559X 4+1.504X 5-0.927X 6-1.039X 7+1.070X 8+1.330X 9)]}. The independent variables X 1-X 9 were ESR, WBC, CRP, hot joint, cold joint, thirst, sweating, aversion to wind and cold, and cold limbs. A P value > 0.5 signified cold-damp impeding syndrome, and a P value < 0.5 signified damp-heat impeding syndrome. The accuracy was 90.2%. The regression equation may be useful for discriminating damp-heat from cold-damp impeding syndrome of RA.  
      Keywords:logistic regression;damp-heat impeding syndrome;cold-damp impeding syndrome;rheumatoid arthritis;quantitative diagnosis   
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    • Li-li Tao,Yan Lei,Guo-li Wang,Ling-qun Zhu,Yang Wang
      2012, 18(8): 582-590. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1180-1
      Abstract:To observe the effect of extracts from Radix Ginseng, Radix Notoginseng and Rhizoma Chuanxiong (EXT) on delaying vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) aging in aged rats. VSMCs were obtained by the modified tissue explants technique and were shown to be positive for smooth muscle α-actin (SM-α-actin) by immunohistochemistry staining. VSMCs obtained from the young rats were served as the young control group; VSMCs obtained from the old rats were treated with no drug (the old group), with low dose extracts (20 mg/L, the EXT low-concentration group) and high dose extracts (40 mg/L, the EXT highconcentration group), and with Probucal (10−6 mol/L, the Probucal group) as a positive control. All groups were cultured for 24 h in the medium with 10% serum for 24 h followed by another 24 h in the serum-free medium. At the end of the 48-h culture, the following analyses were performed including determination of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SAβ-Gal) activity, flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle, real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses of p16, Cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and retinoblastoma (Rb) mRNA expression, and Western blotting analyses of p16, cyclin D1, CDK4 and phosphoretinoblastoma (pRb) protein expressions. (1) In comparison to the younger rats, VSMCs from aged rats had significantly more SAβ-Gal positive cells (P<0.01) and more cells in S phase (P<0.05). VSMCs from the all treated groups showed a significant decrease in both SAβ-Gal positive cells (P<0.05) and S phase (P<0.05) compared to the old rats. (2) Compared with the young group, VSMCs in the old group had a significant decrease in p16 and Rb mRNA expression and a significant increase in Cyclin D1 and CDK4 mRNA expression. Compared with the old group, VSMCs in the treated groups had a significant increase in p16 and Rb mRNA expression and a significant decrease in Cyclin D1 and CDK4 mRNA expression (P<0.05). (3) Compared with the young group, VSMCs in the old group had a significant decrease in p16 protein expression and a significant increase in Cyclin D1, CDK4 and pRb protein expressions (P<0.05). Compared with the old group, VSMCs in the treated groups had a significant increase in p16 protein expression and a significant decrease in cyclinD1, CDK4 and pRb protein expressions (P<0.05). VSMCs obtained from old rats showed typical signs of cellular senescence and vascular aging. EXT had an effect on delaying senescence of VSMCs in vitro by altering the p16-cyclinD/CDK-Rb pathway.  
      Keywords:vascular aging;vascular smooth muscle cells;extracts from Radix Ginseng;Radix Notoginseng and Rhizoma Chuanxiong;senescence-associated β-galactosidase;p16   
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    • Ming-gang Wei,Wei Sun,Pei-hua Xiong,Jia-de Shao
      2012, 18(8): 591-598. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-011-0816-x
      Abstract:To investigate the antifibrotic effect of the Chinese herbs Modified Danggui Buxue Decoction (加味当归补血汤, MDBD) on adraimycin-induced nephropathy in rats. Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control, model, and two treatment groups, with 8 in each group. Nephropathy was induced in the latter 3 groups by intravenous injection of adriamycin. Rats in the two treatment groups received intragastric administration of benazepri (a positive control) or MDBD, which is composed of extracts of Radix Angelicae sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge and Rhizoma chuanxiong. Serum albumin, blood lipids, 24-h urine protein and urine N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were measured every 2 weeks. The ratio of kidney to body weight was measured. The expressions of extracellular matrix proteins in the renal cortex, including colleagen IV (Col-IV) and fibronectin (FN), were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the transcription of genes encoding transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), the tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the end of the 8-week treatment. Compared with the untreated rats in the model group, MDBD significantly increased serum albumin, lowered the blood lipids and decreased the ratio of kidney to body weight. MDBD significantly reduced the excretion levels of urinary protein and NAG as well as the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), including Col-IV and FN, in the renal cortex. Further, MDBD decreased TIMP-1 and TGF-β1 gene expressions and increased MMP-9 gene expression in the kidney. MDBD was effective in treating the rat model of nephropathy. The clinical benefit was associated with reduction of renal fibrosis. The antifibrotic effect of MDBD may be mediated through the regulation of TIMP-1, MMP and TGF-β1 gene expressions.  
      Keywords:Chinese herbs;adriamycin-induced nephropathy rat;mechanism;antifibrosis effect   
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    • Xue-lin Wang,Feng Ma,Xiong-zhi Wu
      2012, 18(8): 599-604. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-011-0878-9
      Abstract:To investigate the anticancer effects of warming and relieving cold phlegm formula (温化寒痰复方, WRCP), a Chinese medical mixture composed of the aqueous extracts of Aconitum carmichaeli, Rhizoma bolbostemmatis, Phytolacca acinosa, Panax notoginseng, and Gekko swinhonis Gūenther, combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on human breast cancer in vivo. Seventy-two Nu/Nu mice inoculated with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were randomized into the control group, 5-FU group, high-dose WRCP (hWRCP) group, medium-dose WRCP (mWRCP) group, low-dose WRCP (lWRCP) group, or combination of mWRCP and 5-FU group in a 1:1:1:1:1:1 ratio. Drug administration was commenced on the day following tumor implantation. The control group was injected daily with normal saline (N.S.) intraperitoneally; the 5-FU group was injected with 5-FU at 30 mg/kg intraperitoneally every third day for a total of 7 treatments; the hWRCP group, mWRCP group and lWRCP group received daily doses of 5, 1, and 0.2 g/kg of WRCP, respectively, by gastric perfusion; and the combination group was treated with 5-FU plus mWRCP on the same schedules as above. All treatments lasted for 22 days. Tumor volume, tumor weight, inhibition rate of tumor weight, necrosis rate of tumor, organ index, and change in body weight of nude mice were measured. The combination group and the hWRCP group had significantly smaller tumor volumes (580±339 mm3 and 587±249 mm3 versus 1055±234 mm3, respectively), lower tumor weights (0.42±0.29 g and 0.52±0.29 g versus 0.80±0.15 g, respectively), and higher tumor necrosis rates (22.7% and 25.6% versus 9.4%, respectively) as compared with the control group (all <0.05). Similar changes were found in the 5-FU, mWRCP, and lWRCP groups when compared with the control group but were not statistically significant, except for the tumor weight for the 5-FU group. The combination group and the hWRCP group had significantly smaller tumor volumes compared with the 5-FU group (778±202 mm3, both <0.05). The combination group had the highest tumor inhibition rate (47.7%), followed by the hWRCP group (35.2%) and 5-FU group (28.3%). The 5-FU group had a lower body weight increase (1.37±2.06 g versus 5.60±0.72 g, <0.05) and a lower spleen index (4.064±1.774 mg/10 g versus 5.294±1.796 mg/10 g) as compared with the control group, whereas the combination group reversed the changes in the 5-FU group with the body weight increase of 3.52±1.80 g (P <0.05) and spleen index of 7.036±1.599 mg/10 g (P <0.05). The spleen indices in the hWRCP, mWRCP, and IWRCP group were all significantly higher than that in the 5-FU group (P <0.01 or P<0.05). No significant differences in body weight change were observed in WRCP groups compared with the control group P>0.05). The treatment combination of WRCP and 5-FU was more effective in the inhibition of tumor growth than either agent alone and may have potentially additional benefit in improving the general condition and immunity of the mice with human breast cancer cell implants.  
      Keywords:Breast Cancer;warming and relieving cold phlegm formula;5-fluorouracil;angiogenesis   
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    • Ping Li,Mei Zhang,Wen-jing Ma,Xin Sun,Fu-peng Jin
      2012, 18(8): 605-609. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1184-x
      Abstract:To study the effects of brucine on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and microvessel density (MVD) in a nude mouse model of bone metastasis due to breast cancer, and to assess the possible antitumor mechanism of brucine. A syringe needle was used to directly inject 0.2 mL monoplast suspension (with 2×105 human breast cancer cells contained) into the bony femoral cortex of the right hind leg for modeling. Twenty-five nude mice were randomized into five groups and administered with an intraperitoneal injection of saline or drug for 8 consecutive days: model group (0.2 mL normal saline), low-dose brucine group (1.73 mg·kg−1), medium-dose brucine group (3.45 mg·kg−1), high-dose brucine group (6.90 mg·kg−1), and thalidomide group (200 mg·kg−1). Diet and activity were recorded, and the tumors were harvested 5 weeks later. The percentage of VEGF-positive cells was determined with hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining, and MVD expression was determined by optical microscopy. The VEGF expressions in brucine- or thalidomide-treated mice were significantly reduced as compared with mice in the model group (P <0.01). There were no significant difference between the high-dose brucine group and the thalidomide group (P >0.05). Significant difference was between the high- and low-dose brucine group P<0.05). Further, VEGF expression was significantly increased in the low- and medium-dose brucine groups compared with the thalidomide group (P <0.05). The MVD values in the three brucine and thalidomide groups were significantly lower than that in the model group (P <0.01). The MVD values in the medium- and high-dose brucine groups were not significantly different from those in the thalidomide group (P >0.05), while the MVD value showed a significant increase in the low-dose group compared with the thalidomide group (P <0.05). Brucine could inhibit the growth of breast cancer to bone metastases, possibly by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.  
      Keywords:Brucine;Breast Cancer;Bone Metastasis;vascular endothelial growth factor expression;microvessel density   
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    • Li-heng Guo,Cheng Yang,Lei Wang,Quan-fu Chen,Ya-nan Hu,Min-zhou Zhang
      2012, 18(8): 610-615. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1175-y
      Abstract:To study the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on cardiac function and mortality rate in septic rats. Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into a sham-operation group (sham group, n=10), normal saline group (NS group, n=20), and TMP group (n=20). The rats in the NS and TMP groups underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis. Rats in the NS group were injected with NS (10 mL/kg) immediately after CLP and 6 h after CLP. Rats in the TMP group were injected with TMP (10 mg/kg) at the same time points. Twenty-four hours after modeling, the mortality rates were observed in each group. Cardiac function and serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were also tested. The correlation between TNF-α and the ejection fraction (EF) was observed. Left ventricle specimens were reserved for histomorphologic study. Compared with the sham group, the NS and TMP groups had decreased EF values and increased mortality rates and serum TNF-α levels (P <0.05). The TMP group had a comparatively lower mortality rate and TNF-α level and a higher EF value compared with the NS group (P <0.05). Histomorphology indicated that myocardial inflammation in the TMP group was mild compared with that in the NS group. There was a negative correlation between TNF-α level and EF value (r=−0.583,P=0.000). TMP could reduce the mortality rate of septic rats and had certain protective effects on cardiac function.  
      Keywords:tetramethylpyrazine;sepsis;cardiac function;mortality rate   
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    • Li-ming Yin,Xiao Wang,Xu-dai Qian,Xiao-jie Lin,Xiao-hong Chen,Rui-lan Gao
      2012, 18(8): 616-620. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1179-7
      Abstract:To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on the proliferation and differentiation in NIH3T3 cells. NIH3T3 cells were treated by various concentrations of PNS 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.40 g/L. The vitality and proliferation potential of cells were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured by p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) assay, and the mineralization formation ability was tested for the cellular differentiation toward osteoblast, as well as the expression level of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2(P-ERK1/2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) protein kinase was analyzed by Western blot with total cell lysate of NIH3T3 cells treated by PNS. Both MTT and pNPP assay showed that optical density (OD) values were increased in response to PNS treatment at a dose-dependent pattern. The mineralization formation ability was enhanced in PNS-treated NIH3T3 cells compared with untreated cells. Meanwhile, the expression level of P-ERK1/2 protein kinase was up-regulated in PNS-treated NIH3T3 cells, while, the expression level of ERK1/2 protein kinase revealed no obvious difference with or without PNS treated cells. PNS could pay a role to promote the proliferation and differentiation in NIH3T3 cells by means of up-regulation of P-ERK1/2 protein kinase.  
      Keywords:panax notoginseng saponins;NIH3T3 cells;osteoblast;extracellular signal-regulated kinase protein kinase   
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    • Ding-quan Yang,Li-ping You,Pei-hua Song,Li-xin Zhang,Yan-ping Bai
      2012, 18(8): 621-625. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1173-0
      Abstract:To observe the efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony capsule (TGPC) in patients with mild and moderate alopecia areata. A total of 86 outpatients were randomly allocated into two groups of TGPC (treatment, 44 cases) and compound glycyrrhizin tablet (control, 42 cases). The treatment group was given oral TGPC, three times daily and 600 mg per time; the control group was given oral compound glycyrrhizin tablets, three times daily and 50 mg per time. In addition, both groups were given 10 mg of vitamin B2 and tapped the bold patches with massage. The treatment course was three months for both groups. Peripheral blood T-cell subsets (CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, Th, Ts, Th/Ts) of 10 patients randomly selected from each group respectively were tested before and after three months of treatment. The effectiveness and adverse reaction of all cases were observed each month. The safety was evaluated according to the incidence rate of adverse reaction. In the treatment group, the cured and markedly effective rate was 36.36% (16/44), 50.00% (22/44) and 68.18% (30/44) at the end of first, second and third month of treatment, respectively, and the incidence rate of adverse reaction was 13.64% (6/44). In the control group, the cured and markedly effective rate was 38.10% (16/42), 57.14% (24/42) and 71.43% (30/42), respectively, and the incidence rate of adverse reaction was 16.67% (7/42). The cured and markedly effective rate and the incidence rate of adverse reaction were similar in both groups (P>0.05). TGPC and compound glycyrrhizin tablet can inhibit CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+, and decrease the ratio of Th/Ts (P<0.05). TGPC is effective and safe in the treatment of alopecia areata.  
      Keywords:total glucosides of paeony capsule;compound glycyrrhizin tablets;T-cell subsets;alopecia areata   
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    • Yan-zhi Chen,Zhan-dong Li,Ning Zhou,Hong Sun,Ping-ping Li
      2012, 18(8): 626-628. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1171-2
      Keywords:Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation;Mucinous Adenocarcinoma;Astragalus membranaceus;Docetaxel Therapy;Enlarge Mediastinal Lymph Node   
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    • Jie-hua Wang
      2012, 18(8): 629-634. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1170-3
      Abstract:Adaptation is an eternal theme of biological evolution. The paper aims at exploring the conception of positive correlation between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and human homeostatic evolution based on medical perspective. Discussions mainly involve TCM conforming to natural laws and natural evolution of life, spontaneous harmonization of yin and yang and operating system of human self-healing, modern human immunology and human endogenous immune function in TCM, self-homeostasis of human micro-ecological state and balance mechanism on regulating base in TCM, as well as adaptation—eternal theme of biological evolution and safeguarding adaptability—value of TCM. In perspective of medicine, theory and practice of TCM are in positive correlation with human homeostatic evolution, and what TCM tries to maintain is human intrinsic adaptive capability to disease and nature. Therefore, it is the core value of TCM, which is to be further studied, explored, realized and known to the world.  
      Keywords:Traditional Chinese Medicine;self-adaptability;homeostatic evolution   
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      ReviewPaper

    • Amirhossein Ahmadi
      2012, 18(8): 635-640. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1183-y
      Abstract:In recent years, more head and neck cancer patients have been treated with radiotherapy. Radiation-induced mucositis is a common and dose limiting toxicity of radiotherapy among patients with head and neck cancers. Patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer are also at increased risk of developing oral candidiasis. A number of new agents applied locally or systemically to prevent or treat radiationinduced mucositis have been investigated, but there is no widely accepted prophylactic or effective treatment for mucositis. Topical Aloe vera is widely used for mild sunburn, frostbites, and scalding burns. Studies have reported the beneficial effects of Aloe gel for wound healing, mucous membrane protection, and treatment of oral ulcers, in addition to antiinflammatory, immunomudulation, antifungal, scavenging free radicals, increasing collagen formation and inhibiting collagenase. Herein the author postulates that oral Aloe vera mouthwash may not only prevent radiation-induced mucositis by its wound healing and antiinflammatory mechanism, but also may reduce oral candidiasis of patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy due to its antifungal and immunomodulatory properties. Hence, Aloe vera mouthwash may provide an alternative agent for treating radiation-induced oral mucositis and candidiasis in patients with head and neck cancers.  
      Keywords:Aloe vera;mouthwash;radiotherapy;mucositis;head and neck cancer;candidiasis   
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