This week's Medline Abstracts on Herbal Medicine

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Hi All,

 

Do you know the Pinyin Name & names & amounts of the 11 herbs in the

Korean formula " Oyaksungisan " ?

 

Kim Y, So HS, Kim JK, Park C, Lee JH, Woo WH, Cho KH, Moon BS, Park

R. Anti-inflammatory Effect of Oyaksungisan in Peripheral Blood

Mononuclear Cells from Cerebral Infarction Patients. Biol Pharm Bull. 2007

Jun;30(6):1037-41. Department of Microbiology, Wonkwang University

School of Medicine. Oyaksungisan, the herbal prescription composed of

eleven herbs, has been widely used in treatment of cerebral infarct in

Oriental Medicine. However, the mechanisms by which the herbal formula

affects on the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cerebral

infarction patients remain unknown yet. The secretory levels of pro-

inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha,

interlukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly increased in both

LPS and PHA-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from

cerebral infarction patients. However, pretreatment with Oyaksungisan

significantly inhibited the secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory in PBMCs.

Also, Oyaksungisan induced a significant increase of transforming growth

factor (TGF)-beta1 in PBMCs. Thus, these data indicate that Oyaksungisan

may be beneficial in the cessation of inflammatory processes of cerebral

infarct through suppression of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-10 and

induction of TGF-beta1. PMID: 17541150 [PubMed - in process]

 

Mukhlesur Rahman M, Gibbons S, Gray AI. Isoflavanones from Uraria picta

and their antimicrobial activity. Phytochemistry. 2007 May 29; [Epub ahead

of print]. Phytochemistry Research Laboratories, Department of

Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 27 Taylor Street,

Glasgow G4 ONR, Scotland, UK; Centre for Pharmacognosy and

Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29-39

Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK. Two isoflavanones, 5,7-

dihydroxy-2'-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyisoflavanone (2) and 4',5-

dihydroxy-2',3'-dimethoxy-7-(5- hydroxyoxychromen-7yl)-isoflavanone (4)

along with six known compounds including isoflavanones, triterpenes and

steroids were isolated from the roots of Uraria picta. The structures of these

compounds were established unambiguously by UV, IR, MS and a series of

1D and 2D NMR analyses. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for

these compounds were found to be in the range of 12.5-200mug/ml against

bacteria (both Gram positive and Gram negative) and fungi. PMID:

17540419 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

 

[Phil's Note: Uraria picta; Ayurvedic Prisniparni; (Pinyin: Tuweicao;

Yuyetuweicao); Part used: Fr; Rx; Aphrodisiac, Analgesic, Antiinflammation;

Antibacterial; Antiseptic; Alterative, Tonic, Anticatarrh; Parasitifuge; Used

in:

rheumatism, fever, haemorrhoids; catarrh; chills, cough, fever, fractures,

gonorrhea, snake bite; anus problems, HT problems

 

Urariae crinitae Rx; Tuweicao_1 ( " Rabbit tail Hb " ); Bugouwei ( " Spreading

Dog's Tail); Shangouwei ( " Mountain Dog's Tail " ); Gouweicao ( " Dog's Tail

Hb " ); Huliwei ( " Fox's Tail " ); Taiwanrenshen ( " Taiwan Ginseng " but NOT a

Ginseng); Rx is used mainly; Rx cooked w ginger & chicken / duck / fish

is popular way to take it in winter; soup made that way is very tasty way to

Open SP & Free Urine (Kaipi Liniao) to Tx pediatric stunting (Xiaohai Fayu

Buliang); Hb (whole plant): Clear Heat; Allay Fever (Jiere); Disperse

Accumulation (Xiaoji), Kill Parasites (Shachong); used in Common Cold

(Ganmao); cough, spitting blood (Kaxue); external trauma w bleeding

(Waishang Liuxue); filariasis (Sichongbing), malaria (Nuebing); Pediatric

disease dt malnutrition / worms (Xiao'er Ganji) & stunting (Fayu Buliang dt

poor sanitation causing pediatric serious parasitic exposure; often used

cooked w chicken to Tx parasitised children; Hb is popular in winter, cooked

w chicken]

 

Tang T, Yin L, Yang J, Shan G. Emodin, an anthraquinone derivative from

Rheum officinale Baill, enhances cutaneous wound healing in rats. Eur J

Pharmacol. 2007 Feb 27; [Epub ahead of print] Department of

Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Donghu Road,

Wuhan 430071, China. Emodin (1, 3, 8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-anthraquinone)

is an anthraquinone derivative from the roots of Rheum officinale Baill, a

Chinese herb widely and traditionally used for wound healing. Our objective

was to determine whether topically applied emodin enhanced repair of rats'

excisional wounds and its possible mechanism. Wounds were treated with

either topical emodin (100, 200 and 400 mug/ml), recombinant human

epidermal growth factor (rhEGF, 10 mug/ml), or vehicle for 7 or 14 days

consecutively. At day 5 postinjury, wounds receiving emodin (400 mug/ml)

were significantly smaller than those treated with vehicle. Emodin treatments

had markedly more hydroxyproline content in day 7 wounds and tensile

strength in day14 wounds than that of vehicle control. The level of

transforming growth factor- beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in wound tissues

assessed by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase

chain reaction (RT-PCR), showed a dose-dependent increase in emodin-

treated wounds compared with vehicle. Western immunoblotting analysis of

wound tissues for Smad 2, 3, 4, 7 protein expression showed increase in

Smad 2, 3 in the emodin-treated wounds compared with vehicle. In contrast,

a reduction of Smad 7 was observed in emodin-treated wounds compared

with vehicle and no change of Smad 4. In summary, our results showed that

emodin promoted repair of rats' excisional wounds via a complex

mechanism involving stimulation of tissue regeneration and regulating

Smads-mediated TGF-beta(1) signaling pathway. PMID: 17540366 [PubMed

- as supplied by publisher]

 

Mukhlesur Rahman M, Gibbons S, Gray AI. Isoflavanones from Uraria picta

and their antimicrobial activity. Phytochemistry. 2007 May 29; [Epub ahead

of print] Phytochemistry Research Laboratories, Department of

Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 27 Taylor Street,

Glasgow G4 ONR, Scotland, UK; Centre for Pharmacognosy and

Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29-39

Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK. Two isoflavanones, 5,7-

dihydroxy-2'-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyisoflavanone (2) and 4',5-

dihydroxy-2',3'-dimethoxy-7-(5- hydroxyoxychromen-7yl)-isoflavanone (4)

along with six known compounds including isoflavanones, triterpenes and

steroids were isolated from the roots of Uraria picta. The structures of these

compounds were established unambiguously by UV, IR, MS and a series of

1D and 2D NMR analyses. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for

these compounds were found to be in the range of 12.5-200mug/ml against

bacteria (both Gram positive and Gram negative) and fungi. PMID:

17540419 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

 

Nozaki K, Goto H, Nakagawa T, Hikiami H, Koizumi K, Shibahara N,

Shimada Y. Effects of keishibukuryogan on vascular function in adjuvant-

induced arthritis rats. Biol Pharm Bull. 2007 Jun;30(6):1042-7.Department

of Japanese Oriental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama. It

is known that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) accelerates atherosclerosis. Further,

the soluble form of vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is known as a

predictive marker of atherosclerosis in RA patients. We reported that

keishibukuryogan [Guizhi Fuling Wan], a Kampo formula, improved articular

symptoms and decreased soluble VCAM-1 in patients with RA. In adjuvant-

induced arthritis (AIA) rats, an animal model of RA, it is known that

endothelial function is injured by inflammation. So, we investigated the effect

of keishibukuryogan on endothelial function in AIA rats. Lewis rats were

divided into control, AIA control, and AIA with keishibukuryogan groups. The

AIA with keishibukuryogan group was fed 3% keishibukuryogan contained in

normal chow. On day 25 after injection of Mycobacterium butyricum,

endothelium-dependent relaxation by acetylcholine in the AIA control group

was suppressed, but it was improved in the AIA with keishibukuryogan

group. The contractions by xanthine/xanthine oxidase in both AIA rats

increased, but that in keishibukuryogan decreased compared to the AIA

control group. Plasma levels of lipid peroxide increased in the AIA control

group, but keishibukuryogan decreased these levels. Plasma levels of nitric

oxide (NO) increased in both AIA groups. The expressions of endothelial NO

synthase, inducible NO synthase and VCAM-1 of thoracic aorta were

investigated by western blotting. These expressions increased in the AIA

control group, but were restricted in the AIA with keishibukuryogan group.

We considered that keishibukuryogan protected the endothelial function of

AIA rats mainly by its anti-oxidative effect. PMID: 17541151 [PubMed - in

process]

 

Anon. ROLE OF FREE RADICALS AND ANTIOXIDANTS IN HEALTH AND

DISEASE. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2007 May 30;53(5):1-3. Direct and

indirect evidences suggest that free radicals and excited-state species play

a key role in both normal biological function and in the pathogenesis of

certain human diseases. For example, generation of activated species by

inflammatory cells is a major microbiocidal mechanism and may also

mediate important components of the inflammatory response. Activated

processes may also be key components in the toxicity of many drugs, in

aging, and in carcinogenesis. They may also figure in the etiology of certain

ocular, neurological, and psychiatric diseases. Free radicals are atoms or

molecules containing one or more unpaired electrons: they are unstable and

strive to restore parity. The oxygen-centred radicals which are produced

under normal aerobic metabolism are also called reactive oxygen species

(ROS); they are mainly produced by leukocytes and by the respiratory

mitochondrial chain; they are essential for cell signaling, and for bacterial

defence. Another category of free radicals are derived from nitric oxide

metabolism (NOS) and is the normal byproduct of endothelial metabolism.

Induction of reactive oxygen species by xenobiotics/ toxicants and

subsequent depletion of antioxidant cell defenses can result in disruption of

the pro-oxidant / antioxidant balance in mammalian tissues. In the event that

oxidative stress can be partially implicated in cases of human diseases or

toxicity, a therapeutic strategy to increase the antioxidant capacity of cells

may fortify the long term effective treatment. This may be accomplished by

either reducing the possibility of toxicants interacting with critical

biomolecules and inducing oxidative damage, or by bolstering the cells,

antioxidant defenses through endogenous supplementation of antioxidant

molecules. Although, many investigators confirmed induction of oxidative

stress in many instances of diseases or following exposure to toxicants, the

usefulness of antioxidants alone or in conjunction with a drug has not been

extensively investigated yet. Antioxidants are substances, which inhibit or

delay oxidation of a substrate while present in minute amounts. Endogenous

antioxidants (AOX) defenses are both non-enzymatic (e.g. uric acid,

glutathione, bilirubin, thiols, albumin, and nutritional factors, including

vitamins and phenols) and enzymatic (e.g. the superoxide dismutases, the

glutathione peroxidases, and catalase). In the normal subject, the

endogenous antioxidant defences balance the production of ROS, but for

the average 1% daily leak, the most important source of AOX is provided by

nutrition. In this second volume of our special issue on Role of Free

Radicals and Antioxidants in Health and Disease we had reviews and

original research papers by experts about dealing with the role of free radical

generation/ oxidative stress and the beneficial role of antioxidants in the

recovery of these alterations. We included topics which are of utmost current

health interest. The first article in the second volume is by Podichetty, a

young researcher in Spine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Florida, USA. He

discussed the recent developments and significance of degenerated disc

disease and various biochemical processes involved back pain and the

association between degeneration of the intervertebral disc and the

nociceptive mechanism of back pain. Singh et al. in their article elaborates

the role of oxidative stress and compromised antioxidant defense which

might be playing a pivotal role in Parkinson´s disease (PD), and also

recommended the use of antioxidants as supplement along with anti-PD

drugs for the improved therapy. Gupta et al. suggested that extracts of a

high altitude plant, Podophyllum hexandrum rhizome, REC-2006, exhibited

significant radioprotective efficacy against lethal irradiation (10 Gy, whole

body) in Swiss albino mice. Gulati et al. in their article provides evidence for

the involvement of both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive

nitrogen species (RNS) during theophylline-induced seizures. Theophylline,

a methylxanthine obtained from the leaves of tea plant (Camellia sinensis),

is used in the treatment of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease (COPD). Ghosh and group studied the mode of action of

the two most important immune cells of myeloid lineage, which primarily are

the cells of innate defense, against the glioma cells. They recommended

that T11TS, a novel cell surface glycoprotein derived from sheep erythrocyte

membrane by modulating one of the important effect or pathways of

immunocytes and related ROS, RNS production and oxidative stress,

proved to be an important immunomodulatory glycoprotein to eradicate

glioma. Manuscript by Sankaranarayanan et al. describes the effect of garlic

aqueous and alcoholic extracts and various fractions on the free radical

generation from neutrophils. They concluded that chloroform fraction among

the tested extracts of garlic proved to be the most potent in attenuating the

free radical generation from rat neutrophils, which could be beneficial in the

inflammation associated pathological conditions. Dave and Kalia in their

article reported that diabetic patients without nephropathy showed elevated

level of oxidative stress than control This indicates the role of oxidative

stress in hyperglycemic condition and in diabetic secondary complication

such as nephropathy. Saini et al. reported the hepatotoxic and antioxidant

effects in female rats of Lantana camara, a common weed, growing around

wastelands, pastures and forests in India. In an in vitro and in vivo study,

Korkina et al., reported that two phenylpropanoid glycosides, verbascoside

(VB) and teupolioside (TP), produced biotechnologically by Syringa vulgaris

and Ajuga reptans plant cell cultures, exhibit anti-inflammatory and wound

healing activities. They indicate that TP- and VB-containing extracts

significantly accelerated wound healing and possessed remarkable anti-

inflammatory action in the excision wound model. The last article of this

special issue is by Kumar et al. who investigated the role of antioxidant

enzyme cascade, GSH depletion, DNA fragmentation, and production of

reactive oxygen species in the apoptotic process following ricin intoxication

in mice. Ricin is a potent plant toxin isolated from seeds of castor bean

plant, Ricinus communis. Ricin molecule is comprised of two glycoprotein

chains A and B and joined by a disulfide bond. These authors report that

ricin induces oxidative stress in vivo as early as 24 h post exposure to a

dose of 0.5 LD50 dose. In these two special theme issues, readers of this

journal will get information about the various aspects of oxidative stress, role

of free radicals generation in human diseases and also the beneficial effects

of antioxidants (natural and synthetic) in such cases. We hope the articles

published in these special issues will be useful to the basic scientists,

clinician, nutritionists and biologists in order to delve into the varied

aspects

of omnipresent free radicals. PMID: 17543229 [PubMed - as supplied by

publisher]

 

Shibayama Y, Kawachi A, Onimaru S, Tokunaga J, Ikeda R, Nishida K,

Kuchiiwa S, Nakagawa S, Takamura N, Motoya T, Takeda Y, Yamada K.

Effect of pre-treatment with St John's Wort on nephrotoxicity of cisplatin in

rats. Life Sci. 2007 May 1; [Epub ahead of print]. Department of Clinical

Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental

Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-

8520, Japan. A herbal health care supplement, St John's Wort (SJW,

Hypericum perforatum) has become widely used in the treatment of

depression, and is known to interact with therapeutic drugs. Here we report

a preventive effect of SJW on cisplatin nephrotoxicity in rats. Rats were

given SJW (400 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 10 consecutive days, and were injected

with cisplatin (5 mg/kg, i.v.) on the day after the final SJW treatment.

Cisplatin treatment increased the serum creatinine level, which is an index of

nephrotoxicity, to 1.51+/-0.22 mg/dl (mean+/-SE) from 0.28+/-0.05 mg/dl

(control) on day 5 after the cisplatin injection. This increase fell

significantly

to 0.86+/-0.13 mg/dl by pre-treatment with SJW. Cisplatin-induced

histological abnormality of the kidney was blocked by pre-treatment with

SJW. When SJW was administered for 10 days, the amounts of renal

metallothionein (MT) and hepatic multidrug resistance protein 2 (Mrp2) were

increased to 164.8+/-13.0% and 220.8+/-39.3% (mean+/-SE) of controls,

respectively. GSH levels in the kidney and liver were not changed. Total and

free cisplatin concentration in serum was not influenced by SJW treatment.

In conclusion, the results suggest that pre-treatment with SJW may diminish

cisplatin nephrotoxicity. PMID: 17543347 [PubMed - as supplied by

publisher]

 

Post-White J, Ladas EJ, Kelly KM. Advances in the Use of Milk Thistle

(Silybum marianum). Integr Cancer Ther. 2007 Jun;6(2):104-9. University of

Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. postw001 Milk thistle

(Silybum marianum) is an herbal supplement used to treat liver and biliary

disorders. Silymarin, a mixture of flavanoid complexes, is the active

component that protects liver and kidney cells from toxic effects of drugs,

including chemotherapy. Although milk thistle has not significantly altered

the course of chronic liver disease, it has reduced liver enzyme levels and

demonstrated anti-inflammatory and T cell-modulating effects. There is

strong preclinical evidence for silymarin's hepatoprotective and

anticarcinogenic effects, including inhibition of cancer cell growth in human

prostate, skin, breast, and cervical cells. Milk thistle is considered safe and

well-tolerated, with gastrointestinal upset, a mild laxative effect, and rare

allergic reaction being the only adverse events reported when taken within

the recommended dose range. More clinical trials of rigorous methodology,

using standardized and well-defined products and dosages, are needed to

evaluate the potential of silymarin against liver toxicity, chronic liver

disease,

and human cancers. PMID: 17548789 [PubMed - in process]

 

Tamayo C, Diamond S. Evaluating Safety and Efficacy of Milk Thistle

(Silybum marianum [L.] Gaertn.).Integr Cancer Ther. 2007 Jun;6(2):146-57.

Review of Clinical Trials Research and Development at Flora Inc, Bethesda,

MD. ctamayo2. Milk thistle extracts have been used as

traditional herbal remedies for almost 2000 years. The extracts are still

widely used to protect the liver against toxins and to control chronic liver

diseases. Recent experimental and clinical studies suggest that milk thistle

extracts also have anticancer, antidiabetic, and cardioprotective effects. This

article reviews clinical trials of milk thistle conducted in the past 5 years

including pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies, herb-drug interactions, and

other safety issues. Several trials have studied the effects of milk thistle for

patients with liver diseases, cancer, hepatitis C, HIV, diabetes, and

hypercholesterolemia. Promising results have been reported in the

protective effect of milk thistle in certain types of cancer, and ongoing trials

will provide more evidence about this effect. In addition, new established

doses and improvement on the quality and standardization of this herb will

provide the much-awaited evidence about the efficacy of milk thistle in the

treatment of liver diseases. Milk thistle extracts are known to be safe and

well tolerated, and toxic or adverse effects observed in the reviewed clinical

trials seem to be minimal. The future of milk thistle research is promising,

and high-quality randomized clinical trials on milk thistle versus placebo may

be needed to further demonstrate the safety and efficacy of this herb. PMID:

17548793 [PubMed - in process]

 

Greenlee H, Abascal K, Yarnell E, Ladas E. Clinical Applications of Silybum

marianum in Oncology. Integr Cancer Ther. 2007 Jun;6(2):158-65.

Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia

University, New York, New York. hg2120. Milk thistle

(Silybum marianum) is an herb that is increasingly used in oncology

research and treatment settings. Historically, it has been used to treat liver

and biliary disorders and has been used in detoxification and cleansing

protocols. However, milk thistle is increasingly being investigated for its use

in adult and pediatric populations for oncology indications. Possible

indications during cancer treatment include cleansing and detoxification after

chemotherapy, preventing hepatotoxicity during chemotherapy, treating

hepatotoxicity after chemotherapy, and potentiating chemotherapy and

radiation therapy as an adjunctive treatment. Milk thistle may also have

applications in ameliorating long-term hepatic and cardiovascular effects of

cancer treatment. Preliminary studies are investigating its use as a

chemopreventive agent and possibly to treat cancer directly. Much of milk

thistle's current clinical use grows out of historical uses but is informed by

an

increasing number of clinical trials and animal studies. This article provides

an overview of the current clinical applications of milk thistle in the oncology

setting, including guidelines on commonly used forms and doses. PMID:

17548794 [PubMed - in process]

 

Best regards,