The American Journal of Chinese Medicine

This study was to test the importance of patterns identification (PI) and the effectiveness of Hwangryunhaedogtang (Huanglianjiedutang) (HT) treatment for patients with post stroke pathological laughter (PL). Fourteen subjects were enrolled. Eight subjects diagnosed with Yang Excess patterns (YEP) were assigned into group A and 6 subjects who had no YEP to group B. HT was administrated 3 times a day for 14 days to both groups. The duration of PL at one time, the frequency of PL in a day, and pathological laughter scale (PLS) were the primary outcome measures. Barthel index (BI) was the secondary outcome measure. The duration and the frequency of PL in group A were significantly decreased from 10.88 ± 4.67 to 6.63 ± 4.07 sec and from 6.38 ± 2.72 to 3.00 ± 1.77 times, respectively (p = 0.01) after 14 days administration of HT. PLS in group A was also significantly lowered from 9.13 ± 1.73 to 4.75 ± 0.71 points (p = 0.01). However, significant differences were not observed in BI in group A and in the primary and secondary outcome measures in group B. The duration and the frequency of PL and PLS were more markedly reduced in group A than in group B (p = 0.01, 0.02, and < 0.01, respectively). These results suggested that HT could be effective on subjects with post stroke PL diagnosed as YEP and PI, that prescription of herbal medications to such patients should be considered.

A clinical study was performed on the effect of in vitro cultured Anoectochilus formosanus HAYATA on lipid-metabolism. Sixty-six volunteers, including 36 healthy, 14 high-triglyceride-, 11 high-cholesterol- and 5 high-triglyceride- and high cholesterol- subjects, were administrated with A. formosanus (450 mg/day) for 6 months or 12 months. A. formosanus significantly decreased the concentrations of the serum levels of cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein in all volunteers. The results of the present study suggested that A. formosanus might function as a liver activator resulting in improvement of lipid-metabolism.

This study is to present a new scheme for the detection of human meridian system non-invasively. The optical transport properties along the pericardium meridian and a non-meridian path about 1 cm away from the meridian were measured non- invasively on 20 healthy people in vivo. 633 nm, 658 nm and 785 nm red lasers were used for irradiation, and the diffuse light emittances at different points on meridian and non-meridian directions were collected respectively and compared. Our study suggested that the light propagation characteristics along both the meridian and non-meridian directions conformed to the Beer's exponential attenuation law. Statistical analysis of the results suggested that the optical properties of human meridian differ from those of the surrounding tissue (p < 0.05), and the light attenuation is less when propagating along the pericardium meridian than along the non-meridian direction. These findings not only confirmed the objective existence of acupuncture meridians, but also shed new light on the understanding of meridians.

Acupuncture is the most popular component of traditional Chinese medicine in Western countries. However, the mechanisms of its effects remain unclear. The therapeutic effect of acupuncture appears when a sensation of DeQi is achieved. We previously reported that repeated, but not single acupuncture treatment affected leukocyte circulation and blood pressure in healthy young humans. The objective of this study was to quantify DeQi sensation by using visual analog scales (VASs) and, to test whether DeQi induction is an important factor for the therapeutic effects of acupuncture in the same cohort. After either acupuncture or sham-acupuncture (placebo) treatment, a questionnaire containing five individual VASs was given to subjects to evaluate their DeQi sensation, including numbness, pressure, heaviness, warmth, and radiating paraesthesia, respectively. A separate VA S to measure their levels of anxiety during the treatment was also included. Our results showed that acupuncture significantly induced higher VA S values for numbness, pressure, warmth, and radiating paraesthesia, but not for heaviness than the placebo across three treatment sessions. Additionally, acupuncture did not induce higher anxiety levels than the placebo. These data confirm that VAS is an objective and reliable way to quantify DeQi sensation and, indicate that DeQi is unique to verum acupuncture treatment. Furthermore, either acupuncture-induced therapeutic effects or DeQi sensation should not be attributed to the stress-mediated effects. In summary, the induction of DeQi in each treatment session is an important factor for the physiological outcomes of repeated acupuncture treatment, and VASs offer objective, an easy and reliable way to assess it.

The aim of the present study is to probe candidate genes which were involved in the electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia and to understand the molecular basis of the individual difference of EA analgesia in rats. We compared hypothalamus transcriptional profiles of responders with those of non-responders after 1 Hz EA treatment at ST36 acupoint for 1 hour by using oligonucleotide microarray. Responders and non-responders were determined by tail flick latency (TFL). A real-time quantitative RT-PCR was applied to validate the differential expressed genes. Our study provided a global hypothalamus transcriptional profile of EA analgesia in rats. We found that 63 and 3 genes were up- and down-regulated in the responder group, respectively. Half of the differentially expressed genes were classified into 9 functional groups which were ion transport, sensory perception, synaptogenesis and synaptic transmission, signal transduction, inflammatory response, apoptosis, transcription, protein amino acid phosphorylation and G-protein signaling. Glutamatergic receptors, ghrelin precursor, melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4-R) and neuroligin 1 were found to be up-regulated in the responder group which may become new targets for nociceptive study and deserve further investigation for developing new acupuncture therapy and intervention of pain modulation.

The Baihui acupoint has three Yang and five convergences; it is needled in order to activate spirit and resuscitate the brain in traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of acupuncture stimulation at the Baihui acupoint on cerebral infarct and dopamine levels. A chronic cerebral hypoperfusion animal model was established by permanent ligation of both common carotid arteries; a cerebral infarct animal model was established by blocking the blood flow of both common carotid arteries and the right middle cerebral artery for 90 min followed by reperfusion in Sprague-Dawly (SD) rats. The Baihui acupoint was stimulated for 20 min 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The cognitive and memory functions were evaluated by measuring the successful rates for rats to negotiate an 8-arm radial maze test; the test was performed after operation once a week for 4 weeks. Finally, the rats were sacrificed and their brains were removed; the dopamine levels in brain tissue were measured and the percentage of right to left hemisphere area was calculated. The results indicated that acupuncture stimulation (AS) did not increase the success rate of performing the 8-arm radial maze in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injured rat models. AS increased dopamine levels in the right cerebral cortex and hippocampus in the chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats, and increased dopamine levels of the cerebral cortex in the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injured rat's models. The neurological deficit score was similar between control and AS groups 24 hours after reperfusion, whereas the AS group comprised of ischemia-reperfusion injured rats had a greater percentage of right to left hemisphere area than the control group.

In conclusion, AS at the Baihui acupoint for 4 weeks increased dopamine levels in the brain tissue of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats and of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injured rats. The AS also reduced brain atrophy after cerebral infarct, suggesting that AS at the Baihui acupoint acts as neuroprotector. However, regular stimulation at the Baihui acupoint enhances cognition and memory functions need further study.

In the present study, we investigated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant capacities of ethanol extract of Phellinus merrillii (PM) on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity. In high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, the finger print chromatogram of PM was established. Both hispolon and PM showed a similar peak at the retention time of 6 min. This implied that PM did contain the active ingredient of hispolon. Treatment with PM (0.5, 1 and 2 g/kg) prior to the administration of carbon tetrachloride (1.5 ml/kg in olive oil, 20%) significantly prevented the increased serum alanine aminotransferase (s-GOT) and serum aspartate aminotransferase (s-GPT) in a dose-dependent manner. We also found that the incidences of ballooning degeneration, necrosis and portal triaditis were lowered in the group pretreated with PM. Carbon tetrachloride induces up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) (86.6%), catalase (58.8%) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)(64.7%) in the liver. Pretreatment with PM significantly reduced the all these antioxidant enzyme activities. Therefore, we verified that ethanol extract of PM has the hepatoprotective and antioxidant capacities on rats.

Apoptosis was demonstrated to be a major mode of intestinal epithelial cell death caused by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (II/R). Ceramide has been proposed as a messenger for apoptosis. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract 761 (EGb 761) pretreatment on II/R-induced intestinal mucosal epithelial apoptosis in rats and the mechanism related to ceramide. The rat model of II/R injury was produced by clamping superior mesenteric artery for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 180 min. Twenty four rats were randomly allocated into Sham, II/R and EGb + II/R groups. In EGb + II/R group, EGb 761 (100 mg/kg per day) was administered intragastrically for 7 days before the surgery. Animals in II/R and sham groups were treated with equal volume of normal saline solution. Intestinal mucosal epithelial apoptosis was detected via electron microscopy and TUNEL method. Lipid peroxidation in intestinal mucosa was determined by detecting the malondialdehyde level and the activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase glutathione. The ceramide generation and sphingomyelinase (SMase) mRNA expression in intestinal mucosa were determined by high performance, thin layer chromatography, and RT-PCR, respectively. II/R caused intestinal mucosal epithelial apoptosis and over-production of the ceramide accompanied by up-regulation of SMase mRNA expression and increases of lipid peroxidation. EGb 761 pretreatment significantly decreased apoptosis index, and concurrently reduced the ceramide generation accompanied by down-regulation of SMase expression and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The findings indicate that EGb 761 pretreatment attenuates II/R-induced intestinal epithelial apoptosis, which might be attributable to its antioxidant action of mediating ceramide pathway.

We investigated the effects of Chikuyou-Sekkou-To (TJS-167), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on changes in eating behavior and rectal temperature induced by administration of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rats. Infusion of TNF-α into the third cerebral ventricle in doses of 1 to 4 μg/rat suppressed 24-hour cumulative food and water intake dose-dependently, compared to an infusion of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (p < 0.05 for each). The infusion of 2 μg/rat TNF-α into the third cerebral ventricle elevated rectal temperature compared to PBS controls (p < 0.05). In rats fed diets containing TJS-167 (1.38 g/kg/day) for 1 week, the suppressive effect of TNF-α (2 μg/rat) on food intake was alleviated significantly, compared to rats fed a standard diet (p < 0.05). The elevation of rectal temperature induced by TNF-α was attenuated significantly in the TJS-167-treated group compared to the control (p < 0.05). These results indicate that oral administration of TJS-167 may be effective in preventing or reducing TNF-α-induced inflammatory responses, such as appetite loss and elevation of body temperature.

This study was to investigate the effect of Dalbergia odorifera (DO) on the pharmacokinetics of Danshensu in Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) in healthy rabbits and rabbits with qi-stagnancy and blood stasis. Thirty two healthy rabbits were involved in the whole experiment. Qi-stagnancy and blood stasis rabbits were obtained by treating the limbs of 16 adnephrin rabbits in an ice-bath for 6.0 min. The rest of rabbits were equally divided into 2 healthy groups. One healthy group and 8 qi-stagnancy and blood stasis rabbits were orally administrated with SM (5.0 g/kg), and the other 8 healthy rabbits and 8 qi-stagnancy and blood stasis rabbits with SM (5.0 g/kg) coupled with DO (2.5 g/kg). The plasma (Danshensu) concentration–time curve was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-trap mass (MS-MS). Danshensu in plasma was confirmed to be two-compartment open model with a first order absorption phase in all groups. Moreover, the area under curve (0-∞) of Danshensu was significantly increased both in healthy group and in qi-stagnancy and blood stasis group after administration of SM coupled with DO. This result was in accordance with the “Jun-Shi pairing herbs theory” of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

The aim of this study is to investigate the antitumor activity of Plantago major L. extract in Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) bearing Balb/C mice in vivo. Thirty male Balb/C mice were divided into 5 groups: 3 treatment groups and 2 control groups (6 per group). Treatment groups and the negative control group were injected with EAT (1 × 10⁶ cells) intraperitoneally to develop ascites tumor. P. major L. extract (1%, 2% and 3% concentration extracts, 0.1 ml/day/mouse) were given p.o. for 10 alternate days. The control group was treated with 0.9% NaCl solution (0.1 ml/day/mouse). The changes of body weight in animals were recorded. On the 11th day, all of the mice were sacrified and their tissues were stained with haematoxylen and eosin for pathological studies. Body weights of in 3 treatment groups and the negative control group were elevated because of tumor burden. The maximal weight gain was recorded in the negative control group and the minimal weight gain was recorded in Group I. Pathological studies showed that P. major L. extract (especially 1% concentration) has inhibitive effect on EAT. P. major has an inhibitory effect on EAT in a dose dependent manner.

Effects of fractions A and B from enzyme-digested traditional Chinese medicine colla corii asini on mice with 5-fluorouracil-induced anemia were investigated. The purpose of this study was to further understand the hematopoietic activities and mechanisms of colla corii asini. The fractions A and B were administered to anemic mice for 12 days. After confirming the anti-anemic effect of fractions A and B, we examined the effects of fractions A and B on immature granulocyte and erythroid cell activity and plasma cytokine level. Fraction A administration at 2 g/kg and 1 g/kg and fraction B administration at 1.6 g/kg and 0.8 g/kg activated granulocyte and erythrocyte progenitor cells in bone marrow and erythrocyte progenitors in spleen, led to the recovery of white blood cell and red blood cell counts, and increased the percentage of peripheral reticulocytes in red cells. The GM-CSF and EPO production determined by examining GM-CSF mRNA and EPO mRNA in the kidney and liver of the anemic mice were also enhanced. This treatment significantly increased serum GM-CSF and EPO level and lowered serum transforming growth factor (TGF-β) level. These results suggested that fractions A and B promoted hematopoiesis by activating immature granulocyte and erythroid cells, partly by stimulating GM-CSF and EPO secretion and suppressing TGF-β release. Identification of a specific peptide or protein is still required for the development of a novel medicine for anemia caused by malignancy or chemotherapy.

The purpose of the present study was to screen 27 plant species used in the traditional medicine of Cambodia for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. Thirty-three methanolic extracts were tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Candida albicans. Screened by disk diffusion assay, the extracts showed antimicrobial activity especially on Gram-positive bacteria. None of the crude methanolic extracts showed activity against P. aeruginosa. Twenty-five selected extracts were evaluated using a micro-dilution test. Harrisonia perforata (roots) and Hymenodictyon excelsum (bark) exhibited a bactericidal effect against S. aureus at a concentration of 500 μg/ml. Azadirachta indica (bark), Harrisonia perforata (roots and stem) and Shorea obtusa (roots) exhibited a bactericidal effect against M. smegmatis at 250 μg/ml.

Chloramphenicol is a toxic antibiotic used for certain infections, though aplastic anaemia is one of its side-effects. The results of our experiments showed that blood cells suffered oxidative stress in the presence of chloramphenicol, with a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) detected by luminol-chemiluminescence (CL). The extract of fruits of Eriobotrya japonica markedly decreased ROS in leukocytes and erythrocytes, the oxidative stress caused by this antibiotic. Nitro Blue Tetrazolium (NBT) assay with purified leukocytes demonstrated that the antioxidant action of E. japonica caused an intracellular reduction in ROS, and that the extracts decreased these promoters of oxidative stress to normal levels in the cytoplasm. Determinations of nitric oxide (NO) generation indicated that E. japonica extracts also inhibited the stimuli of NO provoked by chloramphenicol. This study showed that the immediate antioxidant effect of E. japonica could be associated with the action of vitamin A. The protective action of this fruit was seen on mature leukocytes and erythrocytes, beneficial effect on blood cells suggest that its extract could be used as an antioxidant agent complementing the administration of chloramphenicol, as a modern-day extension to its traditional use in Chinese medicine.

Nostoc sphaeroides Kuetzing has been used as a traditional medicine in China to treat a variety of ailments. This research identified the antioxidant activities of polysaccharide extract from Nostoc sphaeroides. The extract, which contains 46.2% carbohydrates, exhibited an effective scavenging capability on superoxide radical, hydroxyl radicals in non site-specific as well as site-specific assays, and also performed lipid peroxidation inhibition in a dose-dependent manner. Polysaccharide extract had no 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging potential at all test concentrations. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in human embryo kidney 293 cells were increased effectively when Nostoc sphaeroides extract was applied. These results suggested that the use of N. sphaeroides in treating ailments may be based on the antioxidant capacities of polysaccharide composition.

The effect of Haeamtang (HAT) on the colon cancer HT-29 cells was investigated in this study. A water extract of HAT significantly decreased the number of HT-29 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner as determined by a MTT assay. Flow cytometry results revealed a dose- and time-dependent increase of dead cells in HT-29 cells treated with HAT extract. The anticancer activity of the H AT extract is attributed to apoptosis induced in HT-29 cells, which was demonstrated by increased caspase-3 activity and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase fragmentation. A selective caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, inhibited the HAT-induced cell death. Taken together, these results demonstrate that HAT extract induces apoptosis in HT-29 cells.