Guest guest Posted December 8, 2002 Report Share Posted December 8, 2002 A sampling of abstracts on the use of rhubarb in kidney disease. It is interesting that this chronic illness is so well treated with such a powerful herb. Also of note is this passage from Felter's eclectic materia medica: rhubarb is an ideal laxative according to dose administered. in smaller amounts it is a tonic " It was used for diarrhea and it was known that this was due to its tannins Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1998 Dec;18(12):712-4 Related Articles, Links [Clinical study on effect of Chinese herbal medicine combined with hemodialysis in treating uremia] [Article in Chinese] Yang N, Liu X, Lin Q. Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of TCM, Guangzhou 510120. OBJECTIVE: To elevate the efficacy of dialysis in uremia patients treated with maintaining hemodialysis. METHODS: Thirty patients of terminal stage uremia were treated with Tongmai oral liquid and rhubarb capsule combined with hemodialysis were observed and compared with a control group of 30 patients treated with hemodialysis alone. The therapeutic course of both groups was 1 month and the observation lasted for 3 months consecutively. RESULTS: The mean time urea nitrogen concentration, protein catabdic rate and the GS index (KT/V value) of the treated group were all better than those of the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Uremia patients treated with Tongmai oral liquid and rhubarb capsule combined with hemodialysis were better in full utilization of hemodialysis and life quality of patients in comparison with patients treated with hemodialysis alone. PMID: 11475714 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ------ 2: Nippon Jinzo Gakkai Shi 1996 Aug;38(8):379-87 Related Articles, Links [study on the clinical effect of rhubarb on nitrogen-metabolism abnormality due to chronic renal failure and its mechanism] [Article in Japanese] Sanada H. Department of Internal Medicine III, Fukushima Medical College, Japan. It is well known that diet therapy is effective for inhibition of the advancement of chronic renal failure. Rhubarb, which can improve nitrogen metabolism, may allow delay in the introduction of the hemodialysis. After performing diet therapy with an energy intake of 35 Kcal/kg and a salt volume of less than 7g in 38 cases with chronic renal failure (CRF), 5 healthy volunteers (N) and 5 cases with liver cirrhosis (LC), 1.0g of rhubarb was administered orally. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) did not vary in N, decreased in cases with LC and CRF (rhubarb-administered group) , but increased in cases with CRF (non-rhubarb-administered group). The serum creatinine (s-Cr) did not vary in N and cases with LC and CRF (rhubarb-administered group), but was elevated in cases with CRF (non-rhubarb-administered group). Serum methylguanidine did not vary in N and cases with LC, decreased in cases with CRF (rhubarb-administered group) , and increased in cases with CRF (non-rhubarb-administered group). The chronological level of 1/Cr in cases with CRF (rhubarb-administered group) was improved. In addition to the diet therapy, administration of rhubarb inhibited increase of BUN and serum creatinine in cases with chronic renal failure and was effective for the reduction of uremic substances. Therefore, it was concluded that rhubarb can retard the introduction-period of hemodialysis and can also inhibit deterioration of the disease. Publication Types: * Clinical Trial * Controlled Clinical Trial PMID: 8828358 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ------ 3: Chin Med J (Engl) 1996 Jan;109(1):35-7 Related Articles, Links Rheum officinale: a new lead in preventing progression of chronic renal failure. Li L. Research Institute of Nephrology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing. Publication Types: * Clinical Trial PMID: 8758359 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ------ 4: Nephrol Dial Transplant 1996 Jan;11(1):186-90 Related Articles, Links Erratum in: * Nephrol Dial Transplant 1996 Apr;11(4):753 The effect of rhubarb extract on experimental renal fibrosis. Zhang G, el Nahas AM. Sheffield Kidney Institute, UK. In order to explore the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs on the progression of experimental chronic renal failure (CRF), we have studied the effect of orally administered rhubarb extract on the course of CRF in rats submitted to subtotal nephrectomy (SNx). Adult male Wistar rats were submitted to either a SNx (n = 18) or a sham operation (n = 10). Thirty days after SNx, nine SNx and five sham operated rats were given aqueous rhubarb roots extract (150 mg/day) in drinking water. The rats were followed up for 120 days. Rhubarb treatment had no effect on the systemic hypertension observed in SNx rats. Rhubarb-tested SNx rats had significantly less proteinuria 90 days (172 +/- 63 mg/24 h) and 120 days (228 +/- 92 mg/24 h) after SNx when compared to untreated SNx controls (day 90, 246 +/- 80 mg/24 h; day 120, 335 +/- 113 mg/24 h, P < 0. 05). Renal function was comparable in rhubarb-treated and untreated SNx rats. However, at sacrifice the severity of glomerulosclerosis was significantly reduced in SNx rats treated with rhubarb (2.03 +/- 0.44; SNx controls, 2.58 +/- 0.53, P < 0.05). The difference in tubulointerstitial scarring between the two groups did not reach significance. Our results suggest that rhubarb extract reduces proteinuria and the severity of glomerulosclerosis in rats with remnant kidneys. PMID: 8649632 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ------ 5: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1995 Aug;15(8):506-8 Related Articles, Links [Progress on research of mechanism of Rheum palmatum in delaying the chronic renal failure] [Article in Chinese] Huang CL, Li C, Deng YB. Publication Types: * Review * Review, Tutorial PMID: 8580699 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ------ 6: J Tradit Chin Med 1993 Dec;13(4):249-52 Related Articles, Links Observation of therapeutic effect in 50 cases of chronic renal failure treated with rhubarb and adjuvant drugs. Kang Z, Bi Z, Ji W, Zhao C, Xie Y. Department of Internal Medicine, Union Hospital, Beijing. Treatment of chronic renal failure with rhubarb and adjuvant drugs combined with other appropriate measures alleviates the suffering of the patients and improves the quality of their survival. Most patients can take care of themselves after treatment, and some can engage in half-day work. The treatment prolongs the life of the patient, and reduces medical expenses. It is of definite social and economic benefit, and conforms with China's conditions. Except for very severe cases whose blood creatinine exceeds 884 mumol/L, it can be given to all patients. It can also be used as a transitional measure before more radical therapies may be instituted. PMID: 8139271 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ------ 7: Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1993 Sep;13(9):570-1 Related Articles, Links [The mechanism of rhubarb in the treatment of chronic renal failure] [Article in Chinese] Ma J, Lin SY. Publication Types: * Review * Review, Tutorial PMID: 8111219 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ------ 8: Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 1993 Jun;73(6):343-5, 380-1 Related Articles, Links [Effect of Rheum officinal on the proliferation of renal tubular cells in vitro] [Article in Chinese] Zheng F. Li Leishi Jinling Hospital, Nanjing. Rat renal tubules were isolated and grown in culture medium. The effects of rheum officinal (RO) on the proliferation of renal tubular cells were investigated. In culture, the addition of the sera obtained from the rat fed with RO inhibited significantly the proliferation of renal tubular cells, and the effect become even more strong with the increase of the dosage or the long time of administration of RO to the rat. The ingredient RO--emodin added directly to culture medium suppressed the proliferation of renal tubular cells in a dose dependent manner, as measured by the uptake of radiolabeled thymidine. This observation may help explain the beneficial effects of RO in the treatment of chronic renal failure. PMID: 8258103 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ------ 9: Nippon Jinzo Gakkai Shi 1993 Jan;35(1):13-8 Related Articles, Links Effects of rhubarb tannins on renal function in rats with renal failure. Yokozawa T, Fujioka K, Oura H, Nonaka G, Nishioka I. Research Institute for Wakan-Yaku, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan. The effects of tannins purified from Rhei Rhizoma on various parameters of renal function were investigated in rats with adenine-induced renal failure. The glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow and renal blood flow were significantly increased in rats given (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate at a dose of 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight/day for 24 days. Administration of 5 mg of procyanidin B-2 3,3'-di-O-gallate also led to a significant increase in renal functional parameters. However, unlike the former two components, procyanidin C-1 3,3',3''-tri-O-gallate caused aggravation of renal function. PMID: 8336394 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ------ 10: Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1991 Jul;11(7):392-6, 387 Related Articles, Links [Clinical and experimental studies of rheum on preventing progression of chronic renal failure] [Article in Chinese] Li LS, Liu ZH. Jinling Hospital, Nanjing. Rheum, a well known herb unique in its cathartic effect is now introduced to prevent progression of uremia. A clinical prospective trial was conducted to evaluate its effect in comparison with the Captopril. 30 cases with initial Scr level of 344.8 +/- 114.0 mumol/L were allocated randomly to 3 groups. Rheum E treated group, Captopril treated group and Rheum E + Captopril group. The long term (6-22 mos) follow-up results showed that the progression rate of renal failure, calculated by regression analysis of 1/Scr vs time, was found to be retarded after treatment, being more marked in both Rheum E and Rheum E + Captopril group. Uremic symptoms improved after the treatment with serum albumin level increased. To explore the mechanism of therapeutic effects of Rheum on CRF, a series of experimental studies were performed. Rheum can suppress the proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells in culture. In 5/6 nephrectomized rats, the O2 consumption of remnant kidney was obviously decreased by feeding the animal Rheum E and the hypermetabolic state was ameliorated as well. A group of 5/6 nephrectomized rats were fed with Rheum E for 28 wks. It was found that the level of azotemia of this treated group was lessened remarkably as compared with the controls. The serum albumin and transferrin contents of the treated animals were much higher than the controls while the blood cholesterol and triglycerides decreased unexpectedly. In conclusion, both the in vivo and in vitro studies have proved the effectiveness of Rheum in preventing the progression of CRF. Publication Types: * Clinical Trial * Randomized Controlled Trial PMID: 1914031 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ------ 11: Nephron 1991;58(2):155-60 Related Articles, Links Effects of rhubarb tannins on uremic toxins. Yokozawa T, Fujioka K, Oura H, Nonaka G, Nishioka I. Department of Applied Biochemistry, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan. The effects of each of several tannins purified from Rhei Rhizoma on serum constituents were investigated in rats with adenine-induced renal failure. Blood levels of urea nitrogen, methylguanidine (MG), and guanidinosuccinic acid (GSA) were significantly decreased in rats given (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate at a dose of 2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight/day for 24 days. The creatinine (Cr) level was also significantly decreased in rats given 5 and 10 mg of this compound. A significant decrease in urea nitrogen, MG, and GSA was found in rats given 6.25 mg of procyanidin B-2 3,3'-di-O-gallate. However, unlike the former two components the administration of 12.5 mg of procyanidin C-1 3,3',3''-tri-O-gallate produced a considerable or significant increase in bLood levels of urea nitrogen, Cr, MG, and GSA. RG-tannin had a weaker overall effect on serum constituents except for GSA in comparison with the corresponding effect of (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate and 6.25 mg of procyanidin B-2 3,3'-di-O-gallate. Rhatannin tended to increase the serum nitrogen constituents. PMID: 1865970 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Chinese Herbs " Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds " -- Albert Einstein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2002 Report Share Posted December 9, 2002 It is interesting that this chronic illness is so well treated with such a powerful herb. >>>Especially Da huang. I remember seeing a whole book on the use of da huang in chronic (not constipation related) diseases when I was studying in China Alon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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