The American Journal of Chinese Medicine

The universe was early divided into Earth below and Heaven above. These, two as one, gave the idea of opposites but forming a unity. Each opposite was assumed to be powerful and so was their final unity. For creation of the universe they projected reproduction to conceive creation. Now reproduction results in the union of two opposites as male and female. Correspondingly, the Chinese believed Light and Darkness, as the ideal opposites, when united, yielded creative energy. The two opposites were further conceived as matter and energy which became dual-natured but as one. The two opposites were yin-yang and their unity was called Chhi, Yin-Yang was treated separately in Chinese cosmology which consisted of five cosmic elements. Since Chinese alchemy did reach Alexandria probably the symbol Yin-Yang, as dual-natured, responsible for creation, was transformed into a symbol called Ouroboros, It is a snake and as such a symbol of soul. Its head and anterior portion is red, being the colour of blood as soul; its tail and posterior half is dark, representing body. Ouroboros here is depicted white and black, as soul and body, the two as "one which is all". It is cosmic soul, the source of all creation. Ouroboros is normally depicted with its anterior half as black but it should be the reverse as shown here. With the name Chemeia taken to Kim-Iya, the last word would take Ouroboros to Yin-Yang.

The effect of acupuncture on sensory thresholds was studied in 6 healthy subjects. The modes of acupuncture studied were: 1. manual stimulation, 2. electrical stimulation at 2 Hz, 3. electrical stimulation at 80 Hz. Superfiscial-acupuncture was used as placebo. Insertions of needles or application of electrodes were bilateral, at St 7 (intrasegmental) or Li 4 (extrasegmental). The study showed that manual or electro-acupuncture were effective when used intrasegmentally, raising pain threshold values 1.1 to 1.4 times that prior to stimulation. The pain threshold elevation obtained was not significantly related to plasma levels of beta-endorphin, ACTH or prolactin. Other sensory threholds, thermal, vibrotactile and electrotactile were unaffected by such conditioned sitmulation. Superfiscial-acupuncture had no significant effect on the sensory thresholds tested.

Forty-nine patients with initial stages of essential hypertension (EH) were investigaed using phase systole analysis and echocardiography during acupuncture (reflexotherapy) treatment. It was established that even at the initial stages of EH increasing of myocardial mass and disturbances of contractile and diastolic activity of myocardium take place. As a result of acupuncture a stable hypotensive effect, improvement or normalization of contractile function and diastolic values, a decrease of energy loss, reversal of myocardial hypertrophy were achieved. It is the decrease of sympathetic influences on the circulation system that plays an important part in the onset of these positive changes.

A hypothesis is proposed on the nature of acupuncture point and organizing center, the role of meridian system in growth regulation, and the mechanism of acupuncture. Both organizing centers and acupuncture points have low electric resistance. The low electric resistance is related to the distribution of gap junction and thus intercellular communication. Some acupuncture points may be organizing centers. The meridian system is important in coordination and regulation of morphogenesis. The properties of organizing centers and acupuncture points can be explained in view of singular point. Coupling and oscillation may underlie the mechanism of acupuncture as well as growth regulation.

A cohort of nine extrinsic asthma patients were treated by means of acupuncture. Patients were followed up for changes in medical treatment, spirometry, skin reactivity to immediate type reactions, total serum IgE levels and reactivity of their leukocytes to leukotriene C₄ challenge (LTC₄ induced leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) assay). Our results show that after acupuncture, treated patients were able to reduce bronchodilator and taper completely corticosteroid therapy. No change in skin reactivity or in IgE levels were noted. However, acupuncture treatment was able to negate, in 66.6%, the positive LTC₄ induced responses.

The theory of five elements is extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is proposed that the theory of five elements was developed on the basis of the theory of elements, the law of contagion and the law of similarity which were prevalent in that era. They theory of elements spread in various forms all over the face of the globe. The law of contagion stated that objects, which at one time had been in continuity or juxtaposition, continued to exert an effect one upon the other. The internal organs were coupled probably on the basis of the law of contagion. The law of similarity stated that objects or circumstances which bear apparent similarity in form, shape, color or sequence of events, were considered to be fundamentally related. On the basis of the law of similarity the coupled internal organs were classified into five elements and the theory of five elements was compared with various things like seasons, color, tastes, emotions, etc. The theory of five elements is probably the earliest documented evidence correlating physiology with pathogensis of diseases and a guideline for treatment of diseases.

The effects of moxibustion stimulation on picryl chloride-induced cutaneous contact hypersensitivity, a delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction, were investigated in mice. Three electro-permeable points (B-20, LI-15, S-36) were selected as moxibustion points. Moxibustion at point B-20 (spleen associated point) significantly suppressed the DTH reaction. Adoptivie transfer of spleen T cells from moxibustion-stimulated donors resulted in an increased suppression of the DTH reaction in the recipients. These studies suggest that suppression of the DTH reaction with moxibustion may be related to cellular inmmunity, especially to the induction of the suppressive activity of T cells in the spleen.

We classified 50 receptor units from 10 acupoints supplied by the medium nerve. It was found that the needling stimulation mostly excited slowly adapting receptors and that the classification of acupoint receptors related closely to their location. For example, the Shanyang, Zhongchong, Shaoshang acupoints in the skin needling sensation receptors are touch or pressure receptor units; the receptors of Neiguan, Yuji, etc.; the acupoints located in deep tissue with abundant muscles, are mostly muscle spindles; the Daling acupoint might be a colgi tendon and/or pressure receptor unit. Besides a significant receptor, an acupoint contains one or more needling sensation receptor. The receptors and the afferent fibers of acupoints take part in forming and maintaining the needling sensations.

The effects of moxibustion on cellular immunocompetence of γ-irradiated mice were investigated in this study. A total of 240 male young mice (ICR strain), 6–8 weeks of age, were chosen and divided into three groups. Group A was the normal control. Group B, the experimental control, was treated with 400 rad whole body γ-irradiation. Group C, the experimental group, was treated with moxibustion (MT) after being exposed to γ-irradiation. Six to eight mice from each group were sacrified on days 1, 5, 12, 19, 26 and 33 post-irradiation. The body and splenic weights of mice in each group were measured. The cellular immunocompetence was measured by ³H-thymidine uptake in each experimental mouse. The results revealed that 400 rad of γ-ray irridiation inhibited the increase of body and splenic weights, and exerted a pronounced inhibitory effect on the incorporative rates of ³H-thymidine after being stimulated by mitogens such as PHA, PWM, Con A and LPS in the splenic lymphoid cells. MT seemed to help the recovery of the cellular immunocompetence in the γ-ray irradiated mice.

The oral LD₅₀ of Crotalaria assamica, which contains mainly monocrotaline, was found to be 154 mg/kg in mice. Neither liver necrosis nor morbidity was demonstrated with Eupatorium extract at a dose level of 144 mg/kg, which was equivalent to the LD₂₀ of Crotalaria. Pretreatment with phenobarbitone enhanced the toxicity of both plant extracts in mice. In in vitro studies, "metabolic pyrrole" was formed by incubating Eupatorium japonicum extracts with liver microsomes. The rate of "pyrrole" formation was similar to that of Crotalaria extract and pure monocrotaline alkaloid, but was much slower than retrorsine. The rate of N-oxide formation was, in descending order, retrorsine, Eupatorium japonicum and Crotalaria/monocrotaline. It is concluded that the alkaloid in Eupatorium species is metabolized to "pyrrole" and an N-oxide metabolite in the liver, but hepatotoxicity is much lower when compared with that caused by Crotalaria.

San Zhuang Wan (SZW) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used to treat male impotence. The mechanism of its therapeutic effect is not known nor have any of its potential physiologic actions been investigated. We examined the effect of SZW adminstered by gavage, on the reproductive system of the prepubertal male rat. After 10 days treatment of 21-day-old rats the concentration of testosterone in serum and testicular weight and decrease whereas the serum concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) had significantly increased. When administered to gonadectomized rats SZW partially restored the weight of the accessory sex organs and concentration of LH toward normal, but serum androgen concentration was not changed. In vitro assessment of fragments of testicular tissue or purified Leydig cells for responsiveness to maximal doses of LH or cyclic AMP showed that SWZ significantly reduced testosterone secretion in response to either stimulant. The data demonstrate that SWZ has potent effects on the reproductive axis of the pubertal male rat. At least one locus for such action is on the Leydig cell at a point distal to the formation of cyclic AMP. Further study is necessary to determine whether these effects could be involved with or independent of the mechanism of the therapeutic action of SZW.

The quantities of active constituents in commercially avaliable Sophora japonica L. (huai-hua) and its processed samples were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. Rutin, quercetin, sophoricoside, sophorabioside and genistein were found. Sophora flower buds (huai-mi) contained a great deal of rutin, while the immature fruits (huai-chiao) contained sophoricoside and sophorabioside. When Sophora flower bud was stir-fried for short periods using low heat, the extracted rate of rutin and quercetin increased slightly, decreasing with longer cooking periods at higher temperatures. When stir-fried with vinegar, it quickly blackened, but when cooked with honey, it changed very little. Immature Sophora fruit, however, exhibits less variation in its active constituents after processing. All huai-hua processed samples give forth a pronounced aroma and could be more easily extracted with water than that of the unprocessed herbs.

The cardiovascular pharmacology of aqueous extracts of Desmodium styracifolium (DSE) and Clematis chinensis (CCE) were studied in rats both in vivo and in vitro. DSE produced two successive hypotensive actions: the first one via cholinergic receptor sitmulation, while the second one potentiated by blockades of autonomic ganglion and α-adrenoceptor. In contrast to DSE, CCE produced only on hypotensive response which was mediated through histaminergic activity. Furthermore, both extracts relaxed isolated methoxamine preconstricted helical tail artery strips. CCE also produced both negative chronotropic and inotropic effects on isolated atria, while DSE was positive chronotropic without apparent effect on the contractile force.

Vandellia cordifolia (COLSM) G, DON of Scrophulariaceae (V. cordifolia) is an annual wild herb indigenous to Taiwan. It can be found in plains, low altitudes, swampy places, and paddy fields. Taiwanese folk physicians use it in "nephritis, uremia, furnucle, carbuncle." The LD50 (95% confidence limit) of the crude exract of V. codifolia given by the oral route was more than 10 g/kg in rats. By the intraperitoneal route, it was 4.6 g/kg (4.35–4.93), The extraction rate was 16.6%. We studied its effects on renal functions and blood pressure and found that (1) it had diuretic effect on normal rats, (2) it decreased glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow on normal kidneys in rabbits, (3) it had no effects on glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow on glycerin-induced insufficient kidneys in rabbits, (4) it had diuretic effects on both normal and glycerin-induced insufficient kidneys in rabbits, (5) it could inhibit Na⁺ and K⁺ reabsorptionn on normal and glycerin-induced insufficient kidneys in rabbits, (6) it had hypertensive effect and this effect could be blocked by phenoxybenzamine. From the above facts, we conclude that V, cordifolia had diuretic effect and it may act on renal tubules to inhibit Na⁺ and K⁺ reabsorption.

In this study. the effect of the herbal prescription Tian Ma Gou Teng Yen (TGY), which is traditionally used to treat certain diseases associated with elevated arterial pressure (AP), on the general development of hypertension was investigated in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). An aqueous extract of TGY was given orally (0.5 ml/100g body weight) to 5 week old SHR twice a day for six consecutive days followed by one day without herbal therapy. The herbal prescription was administered until the SHR were 16 weeks of age. Admininstration of TGY significantly altered the development and prevented hypertension in SHR. On the other hand, heart rat, body weight, food and water intake, and urine volume and electrolytes were not altered. These data suggest that the effect of TGY on AP was through an action of TGY on sympathetic vasomotor activity.

Opuntia sp. used in mexican traditional medicine diminishes blood sugar levels when orally administered. Possible seasonal variations in the hypoglycaemic property of Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire, were studied using the fresh sap of its stems collected throughout the year. The evaluation was performed in the already proven sensitive experimental model in normal rabbits. No seasonal variation in the hypoglycaemic activity of this plant product was detected suggesting it can be used year round for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus.

Twenty-seven infertile women with hyperprolactinemia were treated with Hachimijiogan (5.0 to 10.0 g/day). Chinese herbal medicine. In 15 out of 18 patients, who were treated with Hachimijiogan, the serum prolactin levels dropped to 19.4±10.5 ng/ml during Hachimijogan treatment, and the levels in 8 patients remained essentially unchanged during 6 months after the cessation of Hachimijiogan treatment. Three patients with 100 to 300 ng/ml did not drop to the level below 30 ng/ml. Four of 6 patients with amenorrhea ovulated. Eleven patients conceived and delivered normally. The hormonal profiles during or after pregnancy were normal. These results indicate that Hachimijiogan is a new safe treatment for hyperprolactinemic women.

The effect of combined therapy with Wen-Jing-Tang and clomiphene citrate on anovulation was studied in 16 infertile patients who did not respond to clomiphene citrate alone. Wen-Jing-Tang was given at a dose of 5 g a day every day from day 2 of the menstral cycles and clomiphene citrate was given at 150 mg a day for 5 days from day 5 of the cycle. Ovulation occurred in 43.8% of the patients and 48.6% of the cycles. No case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or pregnancy were observed. These results suggest that the combined therapy with Wen-Jing-Tang and clomisphene citrate should be used before therapy with human menopausal gonadotropin.

Indian and Chinese Cosmologies are compared, each containing five cosmic elements. The Indian elements are Akasha, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Akasha connotes Creative energy. As depicted it is substituted by reproduction projected as creation. Hence the male and female generative organs as Lingam-Yoni, already recognized in Hinduism as symbolizing the source of creative energy, have been depicted as such. The other four elements represent creation proper. In Chinese cosmology the full term is "Yin-Yang-Wu-Hshing." Wu-Hshing signifies Five-Cosmic elements and these are Wood, Fire, Water, Earth and Metal. They are taken from Iran. Since there is no element to represent creative energy this is expressed by the term Yin-Yang, or Black and White in lieu of male-female or Lingam-Yoni of Indian cosmology. The organs of reproduction have been projected as the opposites that generate creative energy. Virtually Yin-Yang=Lingam-Yoni=Creative energy generators.

In Europe there is the custom of observing mourning at the loss of a relative by using, even in correspondence, paper with a black margin. This may be traceable to China where a document on such a paper has been offered as the original.