Latest Issue

    2012 Year 18 Vol. 9 Issue

      OriginalPaper

    • Gustav J. Dobos,Barbara Kirschbaum,Kyung-Eun Choi
      2012, 18(9): 643-651. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1200-1
      Abstract:Western integrative oncology (IO) combines conventional mainstream medicine with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the care of cancer patients. Since it includes patient orientation and the holistic approach of many CAM options, IO offers not only preventive measures, but also a wide spectrum of treatment modalities for all stages of illness, from the acute phases through the rehabilitation period. Many therapeutic methods of IO are supported by scientific evidence, for example, dietary and nutritional counseling, exercise, and mind-body medicine, among others. IO also includes therapeutic interventions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). At present acupuncture, qigong, and foot massage play an important role in the Western care of cancer patients. However, unlike in China, in Western countries herbal remedies are usually only used during those periods in which chemotherapy is not applied in order to avoid herb-drug interactions. Instead, acupuncture is widely used to manage the side-effects that often accompany chemotherapy. This paper focuses on the role of Chinese medicine in Western IO and reviews the scope and limitations of IO in the care of cancer patients today. The future challenges of IO will also be discussed in this paper.  
      Keywords:integrative oncology;Integrative Medicine;complementary and alternative medicine;Traditional Chinese Medicine   
      2250
      |
      168
      |
      9
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16331576 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Gerard Bodeker
      2012, 18(9): 652-662. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1201-0
      Abstract:As cancer rates rise globally, standard care is being questioned; new approaches involving immune therapies are emerging. With this shift comes a corresponding shift in the use and potential of herbal medicines and extracts. The focus of this article, which has evolved from a presentation at the Second Beijing International Symposium on Integrative Medicine (BISIM May 19–20, 2012), is particularly on Chinese medicine, but is generalizable to Eastern medicine more broadly and to other herbal traditions. Until recently, herbal and related treatments have been used as adjuvants to conventional care — for reducing side-effects, enhancing cytotoxicity, and sometimes, undesirably counteracting the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation. Now, in the context of a new class of immune-based cancer therapies, herbal and other complementary modalities are looked at as enhancers of the body’s immunity.  
      Keywords:acute myeloid leukemia;Curcumin;Chinese Medicine;Cancer Immunotherapy;Triptolide   
      1797
      |
      103
      |
      9
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16331501 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Yu Feng,Yue-yong Xiao,Shao-dan Li,Ming-xiong Lin,Yin Zhang,Hai-ming Wang,Min Li,Xiao Zhang,Ke Cao,Yu-fei Ye,Li Zhao
      2012, 18(9): 663-669. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1203-y
      Abstract:To investigate the effects of brachytherapy with computed tomography-guided percutaneous radioactive I-125 seeds interstitial implantation (ISI) synchronized chemotherapy and Chinese medicine (CM) for the treatment of advanced stage of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Ninety patients diagnosed with NSCLC by biopsy were randomly assigned to three groups: the synchronized therapy group (A), the chemotherapy plus CM-treated group (B), and the chemotherapy-treated group (C); a 2-month course of treatment was administered to them all. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated based on tumor size, tumor markers (carcinoembryonic, squamous cell carcinoma-associated antigen, and cytokeratin 19 fragment), clinical symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) in patients. The total effective rates of Groups A to C were 83.33%, 46.67%, and 43.33%, respectively. The tumor markers were reduced obviously in Group A, showing signifificant difference compared with those in the other two groups. Additionally, QOL was elevated and cancer-related symptoms were alleviated more signifificant in Group A than those in Group C (all P<0.05). The synchronized therapy of I-125 implantation with chemotherapy and CM was a safe therapeutic method and can be regarded as a new mode for treatment of advanced-stage NSCLC.  
      Keywords:advanced non-small cell lung cancer;radioactive particle;brachytherapy;chemotherapy;Chinese Medicine   
      1513
      |
      83
      |
      8
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16331455 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Wen-juan Wang,Zhi-kui Wu,Xin-hua Zhang,Yong-mei LIU,Su-ping Fang,Chong Zhang,Wen-jun Liu,Min Li,Rong-xin Wang,Rui-gui Luo,Ping-ping Li
      2012, 18(9): 670-675. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1202-z
      Abstract:To investigate the effect of Yisui Shengxue Granule (益髓生血颗粒, YSSXG), a complex Chinese medicine, on the oxidative damage of erythrocytes from patients with hemoglobin H (HbH) disease. Twenty-two patients with HbH disease and 22 healthy volunteers were observed. YSSXG was given to patients with HbH disease for 3 months. Before and after the 3-month treatment, blood parameters [hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), and reticulocyte percent (Ret)] were examined; inclusion bodies in erythrocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM); activities of antioxidant defense enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (Cat)] and erythrocyte membrane malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were determined. In patients with HbH disease, measured values of RBC and Hb obtained from the first to the third months after treatment with YSSXG were significantly higher than before treatment (P<0.01). Measured values of Ret from the second to the third months after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Prior to treatment with YSSXG, TEM images of RBCs showed the presence of numerous inclusion bodies. After treatment with YSSXG, the amount and volume of inclusion bodies decreased. Treatment with YSSXG also led to a significant increase in SOD activity (P<0.01), a decrease in Cat activity (P<0.01), and no significant differences in GSHPx activity (P>0.05) or MDA concentration (P>0.05). However, compared with the healthy counterparts, SOD, GSH-Px, and Cat activities presented at high levels (P<0.01) both before and after treatment. YSSXG could improve the degree of hemolysis and anemia in patients with HbH disease. The mechanism may be related to its antioxidative effects, which could elevate the activity of total SOD in erythrocytes and efficiently inhibit the oxidative precipitation of β-globin chains.  
      Keywords:hemoglobin H disease;Yisui Shengxue Granule;antioxidative effect;Chinese Medicine   
      1801
      |
      78
      |
      3
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16331412 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Chung-hsin Yeh,Yu-yen Yang,Ya-fang Huang,Kuan-chih Chow,Ming-feng Chen
      2012, 18(9): 676-682. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1206-8
      Abstract:To investigate the inhibitory activities of norcantharidin (NCTD), a demethylated analogue of cantharidin, on Hep3B cells (a human hepatoma cell line) with deficiency of p53. The survival rate of the Hep3B cells after treating with NCTD was measured by MTT assay. Cell cycle of treated cells was analyzed by flow cytometry, and DNA fragmentation was observed by electrophoresis. The influence of inhibitors for various caspases and anti-death receptors antibodies on the NCTD-induced apoptosis in the cells was determined. NCTD treatment resulted in growth inhibition of Hep3B cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis of the cells after treatment with NCTD for 48 h shows that NCTD induced G2M phase arrest occurs at low concentration (⩽ 25 μmol/L) but G0G1 phase arrest at high concentration (50 μmol/L). The addition of both caspase-3 and caspase-10 inhibitors completely inhibited DNA fragmentation. Addition of anti-TRAIL/DR5 antibody significantly inhibited DNA fragmentation. NCTD may inhibit the proliferation of Hep3B cells by arresting cell cycle at G2M or G0G1 phase, and induce cells apoptosis via TRAIL/DR5 signal transduction through activation of caspase-3 and caspase-10 by a p53-independent pathway.  
      Keywords:norcantharidin;caspase;apoptosis;death receptors   
      1691
      |
      77
      |
      27
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16331369 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Hao Li,Ming-fang Liu,Jian-gang Liu,Long-tao Liu,Jie Guan,Lin-lin Cai,Jia Hu,Yun Wei
      2012, 18(9): 683-689. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1204-x
      Abstract:To observe the effect of Huannao Yicong Prescription (还脑益聪方, HNYC, a Chinese medical compound) extract on β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolic signal transductionrelated protein kinase C (PKC), tyrosine amyloid protein kinase (TrKA), and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) in brain tissue of transgenic mouse dementia model induced by APP. Sixty dementia model transgenic 3-month-old mice induced by APP695V717I were randomly allocated in four groups: the model group (A), the Donepezil (0.65×10−3 g·kg−1·−1)-treated group (B), and the two HNYC-treated groups (C and D) with high dosage (2.8 g·kg-1·−1) and low dosage (1.4 g·kg−1·−1) of HNYC extract, respectively, 15 mice in each group. Besides, a normal control group was set up with 15 C57BL/6J mice with the same age and genetic background as the model mice. The drugs for treatment were administered once a day by dissolving in equal-volume distilled water through gastric infusion, continued for 6 months, to mice in group A and to normal control group equal-volume distilled water was administered instead. Spatial learning and memory capacity of mice were observed by Morris water maze; their one-time escape response memory capacity was tested by diving platform; and changes of PKC, TrkA, and GSK-3 levels in hippocampus and cortex of brain were detected by Western blotting. HNYC extract showed significant effects on increasing the time of model mice for swimming through the flat roof and the swimming time and path in the fourth quadrant P<0.05 or P<0.01). Diving platform test showed that the latent times in Groups B and C were longer than that in Group A significantly (P <0.05 and P<0.01). Compared with the normal control group, PKC and TrkA protein expression levels in hippocampus and cortex of model mice’s brain lowered significantly (P<0.01), while GSK-3 protein expression increased significantly (P<0.01); compared with Group A (the model group), hippocampal and cortical levels of PKC protein expression in the intervened groups (B-D) as well as those of TrkA in Group C were higher (P<0.01 or P<0.05), while hippocampal levels of GSK-3 in intervened groups were lower (P<0.01). HNYC extract could obviously increase the protein expressions of PKC and TrkA and decrease the expression of GSK-3 protein in brain tissue of transgenetic mice model of dementia, and regulate APP metabolic signal transduction path, and thus to suppress the production of Aβ, which is one of the dominant mechanisms for improving learning/memory capacity of dementia model animals.  
      Keywords:Alzheimer’s disease;-amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice;protein kinase C;tryrosine amyloid protein kinase;glycogen synthase-3;Huannao Yicong Prescription extract   
      1755
      |
      85
      |
      4
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16331335 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Yang Wang,Xi Huang,Qing-hua Liang,Rong Fan,Feng Qin,Yong Guo,Kui-po Yan,Wei Liu,Jie-kun Luo,Yun-hui Li,Xi-lian Mao,Zhao-qian Liu,Hong-hao Zhou
      2012, 18(9): 690-698. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1053-7
      Abstract:To detect absorbed bioactive compounds of the water extract whose pharmacodynamic effect was craniocerebral protection for quality control assessment. Anthraquinones in water extract of rhubarb (WER), in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in ipsilateral cortex of TBI rats following oral WER were respectively explored by ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector (UPLC-PDA) method developed in the present study. The effects of anthraquinones absorbed into injured cortex on superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activity in TBI rats were detected. The antioxidative anthraquinones absorbed into target organ were evaluated for quality control of WER. Anthraquinones in WER were aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion. Only the last anthraquinone was found in CSF and in ipsilateral cortex under this chromatographic condition. Physcion increased SOD activity in TBI rats significantly. Physcion was the main active compound of rhubarb against craniocerebral injury via antioxidant pathway. According to our strategy, the exploration of physcion suggested the possibility of a novel quality control of WER in treating TBI injury.  
      Keywords:quality control;absorbed bioactive compounds;rhubarb;ultra performance liquid chromatography;Craniocerebral Injury;anthraquinones   
      1751
      |
      92
      |
      12
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16331264 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Jun-ying Wang,Fan-ying Meng,Shu-ping Chen,Yong-hui Gao,Jun-ling Liu
      2012, 18(9): 699-707. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1059-1
      Abstract:To observe the effects of repeated electroacupuncture (EA) of Zusanli (ST36)- Yanglingquan (GB34) on hypothalamic acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and vesicular acetylcholine (ACh) transporter (VAChT) activities and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA and muscarinic M1 receptor (M1R) mRNA expression in chronic constrictive injury (CCI) and/or ovariectomy (OVX) rats so as to reveal its underlying mechanism in cumulative analgesia. A total of 103 female Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control (n =15), CCI (n =15), CCI+EA2d (n =15), CCI+EA2W (n =15), OVX+CCI =13), OVX+CCI+EA2d (n =15), and OVX+CCI+EA2W groups (n =15). CCI model was established by ligature of the unilateral sciatic nerve with surgical suture. Memory impairment model was established by removal of the bilateral ovaries. Morris water test was conducted to evaluate the OVX rats’ memorylearning ability, and the thermal pain threshold (PT) of the bilateral paws was detected the next morning after EA. EA (2/15 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to bilateral ST36-GB34 for 30 min, once daily for 2 days or 2 weeks, respectively. Hypothalamic AChE activity was detected by histochemistry, VAChT immunoactivity was determined by immunohistochemistry, and ChAT mRNA and M1R mRNA expressions were assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In comparison with the normal control group, the AChE activity in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) regions of CCI group, AChE activity in paraventricular nucleus (PVN), ARC, and SON regions of OVX+CCI group, and hypothalamic muscarinic M1R mRNA expression levels in both CCI and OVX+CCI groups were down-regulated significantly (P <0.05). Compared with the CCI group, the AChE activities in hypothalamic ARC and SON regions of CCI+EA2d and CCI+EA2W groups and PVN region of CCI+EA2W group and hypothalamic ChAT mRNA and M1R mRNA expression levels in CCI+EA2W group were up-regulated considerably (P <0.05). In comparison with the OVX+CCI group, the AChE activities in PVN, ARC, and SON regions and the expressions of hypothalamic ChAT mRNA and VAChT in ARC region of OVX+CCI+EA2W group were up-regulated remarkably (P <0.05). The effects in rats of CCI+EA2W group were evidently superior to those of OVX+CCI+EA2d group in up-regulating AChE activities in PVN, ARC, and SON regions, VAChT immunoactivity in ARC region, and expression levels of hypothalamic ChAT mRNA and M1R mRNA (P <0.05). Similar situations were found in OVX+CCI rats after EA2W. It suggested a cumulative effect after repeated EA of ST36-GB34. Comparison between CCI+EA2W and OVX+CCI+EA2W groups showed that the effects in rats of the former group were evidently better than those of the latter group in up-regulating AChE activity in ARC and SON regions and the expressions of hypothalamic ChAT mRNA and M1 mRNA (P <0.05), suggesting a reduction of EA2W effects after OVX. Repeated EA can significantly up-regulate AChE and VAChT activities and ChAT mRNA and M1R mRNA expressions in the hypothalamus of CCI and OVX+CCI rats, which may contribute to the cumulative analgesic effects of repeated EA and be closely related to the animals’ neuromemory ability.  
      Keywords:chronic neuropathic pain;Acupuncture Analgesia;repeated electroacupuncture;cumulative effect;hypothalamus;memory impai rment;cholinergic activities   
      1666
      |
      89
      |
      10
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16331214 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    • Han-lin Gong,Wen-fu Tang,Jia Wang,Guang-yuan Chen,Xi Huang
      2012, 18(9): 708-713. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1205-9
      Abstract:To investigate the effect of prescription compatibility on the pharmacokinetics of components from Dachengqi Decoction (DCQD, 大承气汤) in rats. Twenty-four male rats were randomly and equally divided into the DCQD group, Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Polygonaceae) group, Houpo (Magnolia officinalis Rehd., Magnoliaceae) group, and Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, Rutaceae) group. The blood samples were collected before dosing and subsequently at 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 min, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 h following gavage. The levels of aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, honokiol, magnolol, hesperidin, and naringin in rat serum were quantified using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for pharmacokinetic study. The area under the curve (AUC), mean retention time (MRT), the peak concentration (Cmax) of aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, and chrysophanol in the DCQD group were significantly different compared with the Dahuang group (P <0.05, respectively). The mean plasma concentration, Cmax, and the absorption of Dahuang’s component in the DCQD group were obviously lower at each time point than those in the Dahuang group, while the elimination process of Dahuang’s component was obviously delayed (P <0.05). Half-lives of aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, and rhein were also extended in the DCQD group (P <0.05, respectively). In the DCQD group, the mean plasma concentration, AUC, Cmax and absorption of honokiol, and magnolol were significantly lower (P <0.01, respectively) at each time point than those in the Houpo group, while the drug distribution half-life time (T1/2α), the drug eliminated half-life time (T1/2β), MRT, and time of peak concentration (Tmax) were significantly delayed (P <0.05, respectively). Pharmacokinetic parameters of hesperidin and naringin in the Zhishi group were not significantly different as compared with the DCQD group (P >0.05, respectively), while the MRT of naringin was significantly longer. The compatibility in Chinese medicine could affect the drug’s pharmacokinetics in DCQD, which proves that the prescription compatibility principle of Chinese medicine formulations has its own pharmacokinetic basis.  
      Keywords:compatibility;pharmacokinetics;Dachengqi decoction;components   
      1766
      |
      87
      |
      14
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16331193 false
      Published:2021-08-27

      ReviewPaper

    • Long-tao Liu,Gang Guo,Min Wu,Wen-gao Zhang
      2012, 18(9): 714-719. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1060-8
      Abstract:Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati, a Chinese herbal drug, has actions of dispelling dampness, alleviating jaundice, clearing heat, subsiding toxin, activating blood, and removing stasis. Polydatin (PD), one of its chief active ingredients, has been proved by modern pharmacological studies to possess extensive cardiovascular pharmacological activity, showing marked effects on protecting cardio-myocyte, dilating blood vessel, antagonizing platelet aggregation, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis. The progress of the research on cardiovascular pharmacological actions and the acting mechanism of PD was reviewed in this paper.  
      Keywords:polydatin;cardio-vascular system;pharmacological action;mechanism study;review   
      1783
      |
      75
      |
      24
      <HTML>
      <Meta-XML>
      <CITATION> <Bulk Citation> 16331143 false
      Published:2021-08-27
    0