The American Journal of Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture has many beneficial effects during cancer therapy and has proven efficacy in the management of side effects induced by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In this review, we discussed the benefits of acupuncture on cancer patients. In cancer pain management, acupuncture is effective for head and neck pain, waist pain, abdominal and chest pain. Many studies confirm the excellent efficacy of acupuncture against symptoms of vomiting and nausea, including those induced by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy may develop xerostomia, which may be relieved by acupuncture. Acupuncture may also cause sedative and hypnotic effects in cancer patients for treating nervousness and insomnia.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has made great contributions to human history, especially in China, as has been recorded for thousands of years. The characteristics of TCM in both theory and practice make it different from Conventional Western Medicine (CWM). The characteristics of TCM include phenomenological, philosophical, and methodological aspects. This paper briefly discusses some historical turning points and innovations in TCM development in China, explores human body enigmas such as the heart, compares different aspects of TCM and CWM, and identifies the unique characteristics of TCM treatment, as compared to other medical systems.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of 18-week Tai Chi training on body balance in a dynamic trial among elderly men with dizziness. The study covered subjects aged 60 to 80 years. We identified 40 men who reported a history of dizziness. The subjects were recruited using direct mailings and a community information campaign. The participants were randomly assigned to either the exercise intervention (n = 20) or control group (n = 20). The Tai Chi group participated in an 18-week exercise class held for 45 minutes twice a week. Body balance was studied in two ways: using the "8 foot up and go test" (Rikli and Jones 2001) and using a Computer Posturographic System PE 90 (manufactured by Military Institute of Aviation Medicine in Warsaw and outfitted with Pro-Med modified software). The ability to perform specific tasks (maximal deflections in four directions) was measured on the posturographic platform. The variation in results obtained on the first and second date of tests in the experimental and control groups was confirmed statistically using four parameters, i.e. "8 foot up to and go test (H = 8.21;p = 0.003), forward deflection (H = 3.70;p = 0.050), backward deflection (H = 5.04;p = 0.024) and maximum sway area (H = 8.86;p = 0.002). Consequently, we found that the 18-week period of Tai-Chi exercises, with a frequency of twice a week for 45 minutes, is beneficial for dynamic balance, which is important for the reduction of fall risk factors among elderly men with dizziness.

The objective of this study was to assess evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of Chinese qigong exercise in rehabilitative programs among cardiac patients. Thirteen databases were searched through to November 2010, and all controlled clinical trials on Chinese qigong exercise among patients with chronic heart diseases were included. For each included study, data was extracted and validity was assessed. Study quality was evaluated and summarized using both the Jadad Scale and the criteria for levels of evidence. Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one non-randomized controlled clinical trial (CCT) published between 1988 and 2007 met the inclusion criteria. In total, these studies covered 540 patients with various chronic heart diseases including atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarct, valve replacement, and ischemic heart disease. Outcome measures emerged in these studies included subjective outcomes such as symptoms and quality of life; and objective outcomes such as blood pressure, ECG findings, and exercise capacity, physical activity, balance, co-ordination, heart rate, and oxygen uptake. Overall, these studies suggest that Chinese qigong exercise seems to be an optimal option for patients with chronic heart diseases who were unable to engage in other forms of physical activity; however, its efficacy and effectiveness in cardiac rehabilitation programs should be further tested.

High serum cholesterol is an important risk factor for cardiovascular events. It has been reported that regular blood donation is associated with a reduction in serum cholesterol. This study aimed to determine the effects of wet cupping on lipid profiles and anthropometric characteristics of patients with metabolic syndrome. One hundred and thirty-six patients aged 18–65 years with metabolic syndrome were recruited to participate in this trial. Ten patients were excluded due to exclusion criteria. Patients (n = 126) were randomly assigned into the control (n = 63) and experimental (n = 63) groups. Patients in the experimental group were treated with wet cupping combined with dietary advice. The controls were given dietary advice only. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline and at six and 12 weeks after treatment. The significance of the data was analyzed using a repeated measure ANOVA. The lipid profile status did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05) whereas there was a significant difference between the two time points within each group (p < 0.05). In addition, several anthropometric parameters improved in both groups, but this did not differ significantly between subject groups. Wet cupping does not have a significant effect on anthropometric or biochemical indices compared to the effect of dietary advice alone.

Antioxidant fractions from Ophioglossum thermale were extracted with five different polar solvents using a Soxhlet type extractor. The total phenolic content of the extracts was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The ethyl acetate fraction of O. thermale was found to contain maximum phenolics. The dried fractions were screened for their antioxidant activity potential using in vitro model systems such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and lipid-peroxidation reduction at different concentrations. Results revealed that the EtOAc fraction exhibited the best performance in the DPPH assay, NBT assay and lipid peroxidation. All fractions showed more potent antioxidant capacity than green tea extract, a well-known antioxidant. Furthermore, the EtOAc fraction has the highest total phenolic content (475.65 mg of EGCG/g). In addition, the EtOAc fraction at 0.005% and 0.01% (g/100 ml) also significantly inhibited UVB irradiation-induced ROS generation in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). In a carrageenan-induced edema model, the EtOAc fraction showed an inhibitory effect (21.5%, p < 0.05) at 200 mg/kg (p.o.) after 300 min administration. Consequently, 3-O-methylquercetin (3MQ) was also isolated from the antioxidative EtOAc fraction. The data obtained using the above in vitro and in vivo tests suggest that the antioxidant activity of O. thermale and its anti-inflammatory effect on carrageenan-induced acute inflammation can be attributed to its ameliorating effect on oxidative damage, and thus it has great potential as a source for natural health products. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the antioxidant activity of different polar extracts from O. thermale.

The regulatory effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pills (LDP) was studied on cytokines in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for human multiple sclerosis (MS), induced by immunization with MOG_35-55 and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) supplemented with pertussis toxin (PTX). LDP was administrated orally for 40 days, and prednisone acetate (PA) was used as a control. The pathological changes in the spinal cords of mice were observed by light microscope with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The protein and mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) in the spinal cords were assessed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR assay, and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in mice plasma was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) on days 12, 25 and 40 post-immunization (PI). The results showed that inflammatory cells, demyelination and axonal loss were reduced, and that the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α and the ratio of TNF-α/TGF-β were obviously decreased, to different extents. However, the levels of cAMP were enhanced in LDP-treated groups. These findings suggested that LDP regulates the cytokine balance in favor of T helper 1 (Th1)/regulatory T (Treg) cells, which depend on enhancement of cAMP levels. LDP has a potential role in the treatment of MS and other demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the vasorelaxant effects of coptisine and its possible mechanisms in isolated rat aortic rings. Coptisine was evaluated on isolated rat aortic rings precontracted with norepinephrine (NE) and KCl. The mechanisms were evaluated in the presence or absence of specific pharmacological inhibitors. Coptisine (1 ~ 200 μM) relaxed NE (1 μM) or KCl (60 mM) induced sustained contraction with pEC₅₀ values of 4.49 ± 0.48 and 4.85 ± 0.57 in a concentration dependent manner. Pretreatment with coptisine (10, 50 or 100 μM) also inhibited concentration-response curves to NE and KCl. The vasorelaxant effect of coptisine was attenuated significantly by endothelium removal, and incubation with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 μM), methylene blue (10 μM) and indomethacin (5 μM) partially reduced the vasorelaxant effect of coptisine. In endothelium-denuded rings, the vasorelaxant effect of coptisine was reduced significantly by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 100 μM), but not glibenclamide (10 μM) ortetraethylammonium (TEA, 5 mM). Coptisine also reduced NE-induced transient contraction in Ca²⁺-free solution, and inhibited contraction induced by increasing external calcium in Ca²⁺-free medium plus 60 mM KCl. It was concluded that coptisine induced both endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxation in rat aortic rings. The NO-cGMP mediated pathway may be involved in the endothelium-dependent relaxation and in the activation of voltage-dependent K⁺ channels, contributing in part to the endothelium-independent relaxation bycoptisine. Coptisine also blocks extracellular Ca²⁺ influx by interacting with both voltage- and receptor-operated Ca²⁺ channels.

Yukmijihwangtang (YM), a boiled extract of medicinal plants, has been prescribed for patients with kidney dysfunction in Korea; however, the mechanism underlying its therapeutic effects has not been fully elucidated. This study was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects on bladder function by using modified YM (M-YM), which included Ulmi radicis cortex in addition to the six traditional medicinal plants in YM. Bladder irritation of the rats was caused by intravesical instillation of HCl. The animals were divided into six groups: sham group, cystitis-injury group with no treatment, cystitis-injury group with prednisolone treatment (5 mg/kg), and cystitis-injury with M-YM treatment (100, 200 or 500 mg/kg groups). Whole bladders were collected at day eight after injury. Samples were analyzed by histological and immunological examinations. An in vitro study was performed to determine whether M-YM extracts inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and IκB phosphorylation in a human uroepithelial cell line of T24 cells. Administration of M-YM notably improved bladder histological changes, and suppressed IL-6/TNF α production and IκB phosphorylation in a rat model of chronic cystitis. M-YM also inhibited LPS-induced NO production and IκB phosphorylation in T24 cells. This study suggests that administration of M-YM might be an applicable therapeutic traditional medicine for the treatment of interstitial cystitis.

Inflammation is related to several chronic diseases, including cancer and atherosclerosis. Taxillus sutchuenensis (Lecomte) Danser is a special folk medicinal plant in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities of the aqueouse-thanol extract from T. sutchuenensis (AETS) and its fractions. TEAC, DPPH radicals, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoid content, inhibition of NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation were tested. Among all fractions, the ethyl-acetate (EA) fraction showed the highest TEAC and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The EA fraction also had the highest polyphenol and flavonoid content. The EA fractions also decreased LPS-induced NO production and the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in RAW264.7 cells. The antiproliferative activities of the aqueous/ethanol extract and fractions were studied in vitro using A549 cells, and the results were consistent with their antioxidant capacities. EA fractions had the highest antiproliferative activity with an IC₅₀ of 454.38 ± 1.48 μg/ml. Quercetin also had antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities. Quercetin might be an important bioactive compound in T. sutchuenensis. The experimental data indicated that T. sutchuenensis is a potent antioxidant medicinal plant, and such efficacy may be mainly attributed to its polyphenolic compounds.

In this study, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts (leaves, stems and fruits) from Morus alba L., a traditional Chinese medicine, were evaluated for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Ethanolic extracts showed higher contents of both total phenolics and flavonoids than aqueous extracts. The total phenolic content was in the order of: leaf extracts > fruit extracts > stem extracts, whereas the total flavonoids was: leaf extracts > stem extracts > fruit extracts. Using DPPH assays, the concentrations providing 50% inhibition (IC₅₀) values of aqueous extracts from leaves, stems and fruits were 7.11 ± 1.45 mg/ml, 86.78 ± 3.21 mg/ml and 14.38 ± 2.83 mg/ml, respectively, whereas the IC₅₀ values of ethanolic extracts were 3.11 ± 0.86 mg/ml, 14.62 ± 2.45 mg/ml and 12.42 ± 2.76 mg/ml, respectively. In sum, the antioxidant activities of ethanolic extracts from M. alba L. were stronger than the aqueous extracts, and in the order of: leaf extracts > fruit extracts > stem extracts. The ethanolic extracts exhibited moderate antimicrobial activities, whereas the aqueous extracts showed poor antimicrobial properties in our test system. This study validated the medicinal potential of M. alba L.

Human serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1), a calcium-dependent ester hydrolase, protects against the oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and is a major anti-atherosclerotic component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Graptopetalum paraguayense, a folk herbal medicine commonly used in Taiwan, has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, and anti-atherogenic properties. The effects of G. paraguayense on the activity and/or expression of PON1 were examined using various extracts of the plant; extracts were made in water (GPWE), 50% ethanol (GP50E), and 95% ethanol (GP95E). Of these extracts, GP50E was found to be the most effective at increasing the function and expression of PON1 in a human hepatoma HepG2 cell line. Data from electrophoretic mobility shift assays and promoter-reporter luciferase analyses demonstrated that the DNA binding activity and transactivation ability of NF-κB were enhanced by GP50E. Treatment with NF-κB inhibitors, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, and BAY 11-7082 significantly attenuated GP50E-induced PON1 production and NF-κB transactivation activity. In addition, GP50E increased the levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B (PKB/AKT). Pharmacological inhibition of AKT by LY294002 effectively suppressed NF-κB activation and PON1 gene expression, suggesting that AKT was an upstream regulator of GP50E-mediated biological events. Overall, the results show that GP50E up-regulated PON1 gene expression via an AKT/NF-κB-dependent signaling pathway in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. This observation led to the conclusion that the anti-atherogenic characteristics of G. paraguayense are modulated, at least in part, via the up-regulation of hepatocyte PON1 gene expression.

The thorns of Gleditsia sinensis, which are extensively used as a medicinal herb in Asian countries, have been reported to exert various pharmacological effects. However, the anti-atherogenic effect of Gleditsia sinensis thorns has never been investigated. In the present study, we investigated the role and effect of the ethanol extract of Gleditsia sinensis thorns (EEGS) on cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Treatment of VSMC with EEGS led to a significant decrease in cell growth by arresting cells in the G2/M-phase of the cell cycle, which was associated with up-regulated p21WAF1 levels and suppression of G2/M cell cycle regulators, cyclinB1, Cdc2 and Cdc25c. In addition, EEGS treatment led to the induction of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 MAPK, and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinases) activation. EEGS-induced p21WAF1 expression was blocked by treatment with the p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor SB203580. SB203580 also markedly recovered the inhibition of cell growth and decrease in cell cycle proteins in EEGS-treated VSMC. Moreover, EEGS inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in VSMC. Finally, an electrophoresis mobility shift assay demonstrated that EEGS suppressed expression of transcription factor, nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1), which are essential cis-elements for the MMP-9 promoter in TNF-α-treated VSMC. These results demonstrate that EEGS exerts a potent inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and MMP-9 expression in VSMC. These unexpected novel findings represent theoretical data for the preventive and therapeutic use of EEGS for the treatment of atherosclerosis disease.

Solar UV radiation damages human skin by affecting skin tone and resiliency and leads to premature aging (photoaging). The skin damage is caused by the activation of the AP-1 transcription factor, which increases matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and collagen degradation. An increase of interleukin (IL)-6 is also correlated with the activation of MMP-1 expression. β-thujaplicin has shown both acaricidal and antimicrobial activities. Also, β-thujaplicin has been shown to be protective against apoptosis due to the oxidative effects of UV irradiation. However, the effect of β-thujaplicin on UVB-induced MMPs had not been investigated. In this study, after UVB exposure, MMP-1 and IL-6 production in human skin fibroblasts was examined in the presence of β-thujaplicin, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1, TIMP-3) and procollagen mRNA was also investigated. Results showed that UVB-induced MMP-1 production was suppressed by the β-thujaplicin treatment in a dose-dependent manner, but not by vitamin C and vitamin E. β-thujaplicin also prevented the up-regulation of MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA. Moreover, the UVB-suppressed procollagen gene expression was restored to normal by β-thujaplicin. Neither UVB nor β-thujaplicin affected the mRNA expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-3. The IL-6 production induced by UVB was lower in β-thujaplicin treated fibroblasts than in the controls. In conclusion, this study shows the capability of β-thujaplicin in preventing MMP-1 production due to UVB irradiation via inhibition of MMP gene expression. Importantly, the UVB-suppressed procollagen gene expression can be restored to normal by β-thujaplicin. These findings indicate that β-thujaplicin is a promising and potent agent to inhibit UVB-induced MMP-1 and MMP-3 gene expression in skin fibroblasts.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative effect of Eucalyptus citriodora resin (ECR) on human hepatoma HepG2 cells. The results from MTT assay and LDH leakage analysis showed that water extracts of ECR (WEECR) in the dose range of 0–500 μg/ml displayed stronger cytotoxic effects on HepG2 cells than other organic solvent extracts of ECR. By flow cytometry analysis, WEECR slowed down the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase after 24 h of incubation. Moreover, WEECR treatment induced an apoptotic response in HepG2 cells. WEECR-induced apoptosis was in association with the attenuation of mitochondrial transmembrane potentials (ΔΨ_m), increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and activation of caspase-3. In addition, WEECR contained high concentration of phenolics and flavonoids, which may be responsible for the potent cytotoxicity of WEECR on HepG2 cells. Taken together, WEECR may be a potent antihepatoma agent due to apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

Constitutive activation of the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway occurs commonly in cancer cells and endothelial cells, and contributes to angiogenesis. Wogonin is a compound with many biologically relevant properties. We previously reported that wogonin blocked IL-6-induced angiogenesis through suppression of VEGF expression, an important regulator of angiogenesis. However, the pathway involved in the suppressive effect of wogonin on IL-6-induced VEGF has not been completely clarified. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms participating in the suppression of wogonin on IL-6-induced VEGF in vitro, focusing on IL-6R/JAK1/STAT3/VEGF pathway. Both STAT3 siRNA and wogonin treatment resulted in an abolition of the expression of VEGF. Moreover, our data revealed that wogonin treatment after STAT3 knock-down did not further suppress VEGF expression. The addition of IL-6R siRNA or wogonin resulted in a decrease in the expression level of the phosphorylated JAK1 protein. Furthermore, wogonin significantly decreased the amount of phosphorylated STAT3. Finally, by EMSA, wogonin suppressed IL-6-induced STAT3 binding activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, our results show that wogonin suppresses IL-6-induced VEGF by modulating the IL-6R/JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway. Based on this study, we suggest that wogonin may provide a new potential therapeutic option for treatment of IL-6-related pathological angiogenesis.