Guest guest Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 Hi All, Am J Vet Res. 2009 Jul;70(7):848-61. Evaluation of inflammatory responses induced via intra-articular injection of interleukin-1 in horses receiving a dietary nutraceutical and assessment of the clinical effects of long-term nutraceutical administration. Pearson W, Orth MW, Lindinger MI. Dept of Plant Agriculture, Ontario Agriculture College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate inflammatory responses induced via intra-articular recombinant human interleukin (IL)-1beta treatment in horses receiving a dietary nutraceutical (DN; composed of MUSSEL, SHARK CARTILAGE, ABALONE, AND BIOTA ORIENTALIS LIPID EXTRACT) and assess the clinical effects of long-term DN administration. ANIMALS: 22 healthy horses. PROCEDURES: 12 horses were fed 0, 15, 45, or 75 mg of DN (3 horses/treatment) daily for 84 days. General health and clinicopathologic variables were monitored at intervals. Ten other horses received 0 or 15 g of DN/d (5 horses/treatment) for 29 days (beginning day -14). One intercarpal joint in each horse was injected twice with IL-1beta (10 and 100 ng on days 0 and 1, respectively), and the contralateral joint was similarly injected with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Synovial fluid prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG), nitric oxide (NO), and protein concentrations and leukocyte counts were analyzed before and at intervals after injections. RESULTS: Administration of the DN (up to 75 g/d) to horses for 84 days did not induce any adverse effects. In the other experiment, synovial fluid PGE(2), GAG, and protein concentrations and leukocyte count increased after intra- articular injections of IL-1beta (compared with effects of saline solution injections) in horses that received no DN; NO concentration was not affected. In horses that were fed the DN, intra-articular IL-1beta injections did not induce significant increases in synovial fluid PGE(2) and GAG concentrations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that administration of the DN may be useful in preventing inflammation associated with arthritis and degenerative joint disease in horses. Publication Types: * Randomized Controlled Trial * Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PMID: 19566470 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Aug;15(8):845-51. A Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of GINKGO BILOBA L. in treatment of premenstrual syndrome. Ozgoli G, Selselei EA, Mojab F, Majd HA. Nursing and Midwifery School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. gozgoli BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During the reproductive years, most of menstruating women experience symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which is incapacitating in up to 10% of cases. According to complicated etiology, various therapeutic approaches have been proposed. Because PMS is a chronic situation, special attention should be paid to the side-effects of pharmacological interventions. Herbal medicine is a recent favorable therapeutic approach owing to fewer side- effects. We aimed to determine the effect of GINKGO BILOBA L. on the symptoms of PMS. METHODS: This was a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted from November 2007 to April 2008. The students with PMS, living in dormitories of a medical university (Tehran), who met the inclusion criteria entered the study. The students filled out the daily symptom rating forms in two consecutive menstrual cycles. After we verified the PMS diagnosis in 90 students, the participants were randomly assigned to experiment and placebo groups and took G. BILOBA L. tablets (containing 40 mg leaf extracts) or placebo three times a day from the 16th day of the menstrual cycle to the 5th day of the next cycle. Data were collected using daily symptom rating forms. RESULTS: Eighty-five (85, 94.4%) participants completed the study. The two groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics and baseline overall severity of symptoms. After the intervention, there was a significant decrease in the overall severity of symptoms and physical and psychologic symptoms in both GINKGO (23.68%) and placebo (8.74%) groups (p<.001). However, the mean decrease in the severity of symptoms was significantly more in the GINKGO group compared to the placebo group (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: G. BILOBA L. can reduce the severity of PMS symptoms. Further research on active ingredients and also the efficacy and safety of various doses and treatment durations of GINKGO are required. PMID: 19678774 [PubMed - in process] Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2009 Aug;380(2):179-92. Epub 2009 Apr 1. Treatment with GREEN TEA extract attenuates secondary inflammatory response in an experimental model of spinal cord trauma. Paterniti I, Genovese T, Crisafulli C, Mazzon E, Di Paola R, Galuppo M, Bramanti P, Cuzzocrea S. Dept of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Torre Biologica, Gazzi, Messina, Italy. In this study, we evaluated the effect of GREEN TEA extract (that was administered 25 mg/kg intraperitoneal at 1 and 6 h after injury) in experimental animal model of spinal cord injury. The spinal cord trauma was induced by the application of vascular clips to the dura via a four-level T5-T8 laminectomy. Spinal cord injury in mice resulted in severe trauma characterised by oedema, neutrophilic infiltration and apoptosis. Also, immunohistochemical examination demonstrated a marked increase in immune reactivity for nitrotyrosine. All parameters of inflammation were attenuated by GREEN TEA extract. The degree of spinal cord inflammation, nitrotyrosine, poli (ADP-ribosio) synthetase (PARS) and neutrophilic infiltration was markedly reduced. GREEN TEA extract significantly ameliorated the recovery of limb function. Values shown are mean +/- SE mean of ten mice for each group. *p<.01 versus sham, degrees p<.01 versus spinal cord injury. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that GREEN TEA extract treatment ameliorates spinal cord injury oxidative stress. PMID: 19337722 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] PMCID: PMC2694926 Pak J Pharm Sci. 2009 Jul;22(3):247-51. Antibacterial activity in vitro of THYMUS CAPITATUS from Jordan. Qaralleh HN, Abboud MM, Khleifat KM, Tarawneh KA, Althunibat OY. Dept of Biomedical Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia. haithym2006 This study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial activity of aqueous and organic extracts of THYMUS CAPITATUS L. (Lamiaceae) leaves and stems. Dried ground powder leaves and stems were extracted with water (aqueous extracts), ethanol, dichloromethane and hexane (Soxhlet extracts). The antibacterial activity of these extracts was evaluated against bacteria using disc diffusion method. The result obtained showed that the leaves had stronger antibacterial activity than the stems extracts. The ethanolic extract had the highest yield products and the high antibacterial activity than all other solvents. The results suggest that essential oil as non-polar organic compounds could be the main active compounds in this plant. Therefore the antibacterial activity of leaves ethanol extracts (LEE) was compared with essential oils leaves extracts (LEO) of T. CAPITATUS. The LEO showed greater antibacterial activity than LEE. The LEO showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity and the Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most sensitive bacteria. PMID: 19553168 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Pak J Pharm Sci. 2009 Jul;22(3):267-71. Comparison of hypotensive and hypolipidemic effects of CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS leaves extract with atenolol on adrenaline induced hypertensive rats. Ara N, Rashid M, Amran MS. Dept of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh. The leaves extract of CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS was investigated for hypotensive and hypolipidemic effects in adrenaline-induced hypertensive rats (AIHR) and compared with those of Atenolol in a crossover design. The pharmacologically Active components responsible for hypotensive activities were isolated from plant using bioassay guided purification approach and the structure of the compounds was proposed by spectroscopic methods. C. ROSEUS leaves extract and commercial drug Atenolol were administered through intraperitoneal (i.p) route for one week. Different biochemical parameters such as heart weight, blood glucose level, serum cholesterol level, serum triglyceride level, body weight and the relationships between them were measured. C. ROSEUS leaves extract at a dose of 30 mg/155+/-15 gm of body weight was injected in rat at every morning during the treatment period. The dose of Atenolol was determined according to its pharmacokinetic parameters. Clinically effective plasma concentration as a hypotensive drug was obtained after the injection of 0.1 mg/155+/-15 gm of body weight of the drug. The C. ROSEUS leaves extract made significant changes in each cardiovascular parameter after investigation. C. ROSEUS leaves extract treated animals have shown the hypotensive effects. Hypotensive effects were also shown by Atenolol. Publication Types: * Comparative Study PMID: 19553172 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2009 Aug;7(8):741-5. Effects of Feiyanning Decoction on proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cell line and their production of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Wang JY, Zheng Z, Xu ZY, Guo J, Su W. Cancer Institute of TCM, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai 200032, China; E-mail: wangjuyong1. Objective: To study the effects of FEIYANNING TANG, a compound traditional CHM, on proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 cells and their production of interleukin-6 (IL- 6) and IL-8 induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Methods: A549 cells were incubated with rat serum containing FEIYANNING TANG (FYNT) at 15% for 24, 48 and 72 h respectively. The cell proliferation was examined by 2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2, 4- disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, monosodium salt assay (WST-8). The production of IL-6 and IL-8 was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after 48-hour treatment of reagents, and the expressions of IL-6 and IL-8 mRNAs were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: Serum containing FYNT had obvious inhibitive functions in A549 cell proliferation after 48- and 72-treatment. TNF-alpha (1 mug/L) strongly induced the production of IL-6 and IL-8 as compared with the control serum in A549 cells, and the induced cytokine production was significantly suppressed by 15% serum containing FYNT (p<.01). In addition, serum containing FYNT could inhibit the mRNA expressions of IL-6 and IL-8 (p<.01). CONCLUSION: FYNT can inhibit IL-6 and IL-8 production induced by TNF-alpha. It is therefore expected to be a new strategy for treating lung cancer. PMID: 19671412 [PubMed - in process] Oncol Rep. 2009 May;21(5):1261-7. GREEN TEA polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits thrombin-induced hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion and p42/p44-MAPKinase activation. Kaufmann R, Henklein P, Henklein P, Settmacher U. Dept of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, Research Center Lobeda, Medical Faculty at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, D-07747 Jena, Germany. roland.kaufmann Thrombin has been recently demonstrated to promote hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell migration by activation of the proteinase-activated receptor (PAR) subtypes PAR1 and PAR4 suggesting a role of these proteinase-receptor systems in HCC progression. In this study, we investigated the effect of (-)-epigallocatechin- 3-gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenolic compound of GREEN TEA on thrombin-PAR1/PAR4-mediated hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion and p42/p44 MAPKinase activation. In this study we used the permanent liver carcinoma cell line HEP-3B and two primary cultures established from surgically resected HCCs. We found that stimulation of HCC cells with thrombin, the PAR1-selective activating peptide, TFLLRN-NH2, and the PAR4-selective activating peptide, AYPGKF-NH2, increased cell invasion across a Matrigel-coated membrane barrier and stimulated activation of p42/p44 MAPKinase phosphorylation. Both the effects on p42/p44 MAPKinases, and on cell invasiveness induced by thrombin and the PAR1/4 subtype-selective agonist peptides were effectively blocked by EGCG. The results clearly identify EGCG as a potent inhibitor of the thrombin- PAR1/PAR4-p42/p44 MAPKinase invasive signaling axis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells as a previously unrecognized mode of action for EGCG in cancer cells. Moreover, the results suggest that (-)-epigal-locatechin-3- gallate might have therapeutic potential for hepatocellular carcinoma. PMID: 19360302 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Mar;31(2):81-8. Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of Solanum nigrum aqueous extract in animal models. Zakaria ZA, Sulaiman MR, Morsid NA, Aris A, Zainal H, Pojan NH, Kumar GH. Pharmacogenomics Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia. shaza8174 The present study was carried out to evaluate the antinociceptive, anti- inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the aqueous extract of SOLANUM NIGRUM LEAVES (LONGKUI, Black Nightshade) using various animal models. The extract, at concentrations of 10, 50 and 100%, was prepared by soaking (1:20; w/v) air-dried powdered leaves (20 g) in distilled water (dH2O) for 72 h. The extract solutions were administered subcutaneously in mice/rats 30 min prior to the tests. The extract exhibited significant (p<.05) antinociceptive activity when assessed using the abdominal constriction, hot plate and formalin tests. The extract also produced significant (p<.05) anti- inflammatory and antipyretic activities when assessed using the carrageenan-induced paw edema and brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia tests, respectively. Overall, these activities occurred in a concentration-dependent manner, except for the 50% concentration of the extract, which was not effective in the abdominal constriction test. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that S. NIGRUM leaves possessed antinociceptive, anti- inflammatory and antipyretic effects and thus supported traditional claims of its medicinal uses. Copyright 2009 Prous Science, S.A.U. or its licensors. All rights reserved. Publication Types: * Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PMID: 19455262 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Mol Biol Rep. 2009 Feb;36(2):365-70. Epub 2007 Nov 30. SHENFU INJECTION suppresses apoptosis by regulation of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 during hypoxia/reoxygenation in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in vitro. Wang YL, Wang CY, Zhang BJ, Zhang ZZ. Dept of Anesthesiology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Donghu Road 169, Wuhan 430071, China. wangyanlin0510 SHENFU INJECTION (SHENFU ZHUSHEYE (the major components of which are ginsenosides compound, extract of Panax ginseng shown to have antioxidant properties) is a well- known important TCM used to treat various diseases especially for cardiac diseases. The precise mechanism of the biological actions of this plant is not fully understood, in order to elucidate the protection of cardiomyocytes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of SHENFU INJECTION on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced apoptosis and the expression of bcl-2 and caspase-3 in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in vitro. Ventricular myocytes were isolated from neonatal rat hearts and were exposed to 4 h of hypoxia followed by 16 h of reoxygenation. The results indicated that treatment with different doses of SHENFU INJECTION protected cardiacmyocyte cultures from hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis. Caspase-3 activation was decreased in hypoxic/reoxygenationed cardiomyocytes co-treated with SHENFU INJECTION when compared to hypoxia/reoxygenation alone treated cultures. Expression of the Bcl-2 proteins was increased in SHENFU INJECTION-treated cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation. CONCLUSION: Ginsenosides compound has obviously protective effects on cardiacmyocytes against apoptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation injury, whose mechanisms probably involve the inhibition of down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein levels and sequential activation of caspase-3. Publication Types: * Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PMID: 18049909 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Mol Biol Rep. 2009 Jan;36(1):159-64. Epub 2008 Jun 7. Effect of TERMINALIA ARJUNA on antioxidant defense system in cancer. Verma N, Vinayak M. Centre of Advanced Study in Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India. Constant production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during aerobic metabolism is balanced by antioxidant defense system of an organism. Although low level of ROS is important for various physiological functions, its accumulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. It is generally assumed that frequent consumption of phytochemicals derived from vegetables, fruits, tea and herbs may contribute to shift the balance towards an adequate antioxidant status. The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of medicinal plant TERMINALIA ARJUNA on antioxidant defense system in lymphoma bearing AKR mice. Antioxidant action of T. ARJUNA is monitored by the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione S transferase which constitute major antioxidant defense system by scavenging ROS. These enzyme activities are low in lymphoma bearing mice indicating impaired antioxidant defense system. Oral administration of different doses of aqueous extract of T. ARJUNA causes significant elevation in the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione S transferase. T. ARJUNA is found to down regulate anaerobic metabolism by inhibiting the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in lymphoma bearing mice, which was elevated in untreated cancerous mice. The results indicate the antioxidant action of aqueous extract of T. ARJUNA, which may play a role in the anti carcinogenic activity by reducing the oxidative stress along with inhibition of anaerobic metabolism. Publication Types: * Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PMID: 18537039 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Radiat Environ Biophys. 2009 Feb;48(1):95-8. Epub 2008 Sep 4. Radioprotective effects of HAWTHORN against genotoxicity induced by gamma irradiation in human blood lymphocytes. Hosseinimehr SJ, Mahmoudzadeh A, Azadbakht M, Akhlaghpoor S. Dept of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. sjhosseinim The radioprotective effect of HAWTHORN (CRATAEGUS MICROPHYLLA) fruit extract was investigated in cultured blood lymphocytes from human volunteers. Peripheral blood samples were collected from five human volunteers 10 min before and 1, 2 and 3 h after a single oral ingestion of 500 mg HAWTHORN powder extract. At each time point, the whole blood was exposed in vitro to 150 cGy of cobalt-60 gamma irradiation, and then the lymphocytes were cultured with mitogenic stimulation to determine the micronuclei in cytokinesis-blocked binucleated cell. The lymphocytes in the blood samples collected after extract ingestion exhibited a significant decrease in the incidence of binucleated cells containing micronuclei as compared to similarly irradiated lymphocytes collected prior to extract ingestion. The maximum decrease in the frequency of micronuclei-containing cells was observed at 1 h after ingestion of HAWTHORN extract (on average a 44% decrease). These data suggest that it may be possible to use HAWTHORN extracts in personnel exposed to radiation in order to protect lymphocytes from radiation effects. Publication Types: * Clinical Trial * Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PMID: 18769933 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Liver Int. 2009 May;29(5):670-7. Epub 2009 Feb 17. Epigallocatechin-gallate modulates chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in human cholangiocarcinoma cells. Lang M, Henson R, Braconi C, Patel T. Scott and White Clinic, Texas A & M University Health Sciences Center, College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA. BACKGROUND: GREEN TEA polyphenols are chemopreventive in several cancer models but their use as adjunctive therapeutic agents for cancer is unknown. AIMS: Cholangiocarcinomas respond poorly to chemotherapeutic agents and our aims were to assess the utility of GREEN TEA polyphenols as adjuncts to chemotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the effect of purified GREEN TEA catechins on chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in KMCH, CC-LP-1 and Mz-ChA-1 human cholangiocarcinoma cells, and on chemosensitivity of Mz- ChA-1 cell xenografts in nude mice. RESULTS: EPIGALLOCATECHIN- GALLATE (EGCG), but not the structurally related catechin epigallocatechin, sensitized cells to apoptosis induced by gemcitabine (GEM), mitomycin C or 5-fluorouracil in vitro. Mitochondrial membrane depolarization, cytosolic cytochrome c expression and apoptosis were increased in cells incubated with EGCG and GEM compared with either agent alone. Furthermore, EGCG decreased in vivo growth and increased the sensitivity to GEM of Mz- ChA-1 cell xenografts in nude mice. CONCLUSIONS: The GREEN TEA polyphenol EGCG sensitizes human cholangiocarcinoma cells to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis and warrants evaluation as an adjunct to chemotherapy to treat human cholangiocarcinoma. Publication Types: * Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural * Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PMID: 19226332 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 May 4;123(1):27-33. Epub 2009 Mar 4. A novel mechanism: Erxian Decoction, a CM formula, for relieving menopausal syndrome. Sze SC, Tong Y, Zhang YB, Zhang ZJ, Lau AS, Wong HK, Tsang KW, Ng TB. School of CM, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 10 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China. ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Many clinical and experimental reports demonstrated that ERXIAN TANG (EXT) was effective in relieving menopausal syndrome. AIM OF THE STUDY: The mechanisms of action of EXT were explored on the endocrine and antioxidant regimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Menopause causes a decline in both endocrine function and activities of antioxidant enzymes. In this study, 12- month-old female Sprague-Dawley-rats (SD-rats) with a low serum estradiol level were employed. Their endocrine functions after treatment with EXT were assessed by the determination of their serum estradiol level and ovarian mRNA levels of aromatase, which is a key enzyme for biosynthesis of estradiol. Meanwhile, superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx-1) in the liver were also determined to assess the effect of EXT on the antioxidant regimen. RESULTS: Results revealed a significant elevation in serum estradiol level and the mRNA level of ovarian aromatase and liver CAT in the EXT-treated menopausal rat model. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained from mRNA and estradiol level of the present investigation revealed that the EXT relieves the menopausal syndrome involved an increase of endocrine and antioxidant function through, at least, the activation of aromatase and CAT detoxifying pathways. Publication Types: * Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PMID: 19429335 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 May 4;123(1):40-4. Epub 2009 Mar 4. HUO-LUO- XIAO-LING DAN modulates antigen-directed immune response in adjuvant- induced inflammation. Rajaiah R, Lee DY, Ma Z, Fan AY, Lao L, Fong HH, Berman BM, Moudgil KD. Dept of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: HUO-LUO-XIAO-LING DAN (HLXLD) is a TCM that has long been used in folk medicine to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the precise immunological mechanisms by which HLXLD mediates its anti-inflammatory activity are not fully defined. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the effects of HLXLD on antigen- specific immune parameters in adjuvant-induced inflammation model in the Lewis rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were fed daily with either HLXLD (2.3g/kg) or vehicle (water) beginning 3 days before subcutaneous injection of heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (Mtb), and then continued for another 6 days. After 9 days of Mtb injection, the draining lymph node cells were tested for T cell proliferative and cytokine responses against mycobacterial heat-shock protein 65 (Bhsp65). Moreover, sera were tested for anti-Bhsp65 antibodies and nitric oxide (NO). RESULTS: HLXLD- treated rats showed reduced T cell proliferative response to Bhsp65 compared to control rats. Furthermore, HLXLD suppressed IL-17 response but enhanced IL-10 response without much effect on IFN-gamma. HLXLD treatment also reduced the levels of anti-Bhsp65 antibodies but not that of NO. CONCLUSIONS: HLXLD feeding modulated both the cellular and the humoral immune response to Bhsp65 favoring an anti-inflammatory milieu for the suppression of adjuvant-induced inflammation. Publication Types: * Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural PMID: 19429337 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 May 4;123(1):6-14. Epub 2009 Mar 9. Upregulation of interferon-gamma and interleukin-4, Th cell-derived cytokines by So-Shi- Ho-Tang (SHO-SAIKO-TO) occurs at the level of antigen presenting cells, but not CD4 T cells. Kang H, Choi TW, Ahn KS, Lee JY, Ham IH, Choi HY, Shim ES, Sohn NW. Dept of Oriental Medical Science, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyunghee University, 1 Seochungdong, Yongin, South Korea. shehee ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: SO-SHI-HO-TANG (SSHT) or known as SHO-SAIKO-TO in Japanese (XIAOCHAIHU TANG in Chinese) has been used to treat chronic liver disease and other infections, and its hepatoprotective effects have been widely studied. AIM OF THE STUDY: We tried to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of SSHT on interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4 and their Th1/Th2 transcription factors in vivo and in vitro since these two cytokines are important in determining the type of cell- mediated inflammatory and humoral responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SSHT was orally given to BALB/c mice for 7 days and then injected with anti-CD3 mAb intravenously. IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-2 and Th1/Th2-specific transcription factors as well as splenocyte subsets were measured. Splenocytes and CD4 T cells were cultured with anti-CD3 or anti- CD3/anti-CD28 in the presence of SSHT, its constituent herbs and baicalin, and the levels of cytokines and transcription factors were measured by ELISA and western blotting. RESULTS: Oral administration of SSHT to mice in response to i.v. anti-CD3 injection enhanced the expression of IFN- gamma, IL-4 and IL-2 in the serum and spleen at the secreted protein and mRNA level. This was accompanied by the upregulation of CD69 and CD4 T cell populations by flow cytometry. The upregulation of IFN-gamma and IL-4 by SSHT did not occur in anti-CD3/anti-CD28 stimulated CD4 T cells in vitro. However, SSHT was capable of producing the cytokines in anti-CD3 stimulated splenocytes even in the absence of CD28, suggesting a role for some soluble factors produced by antigen presenting cells (APC). In support of this, we found that SSHT increased IL-12 and IL-6 in the same cells. STAT4, but not T-bet, was involved in the upregulation of IFN-gamma by SSHT while the increased IL-4 expression was accompanied by a parallel increase in c-Maf but independent of STAT6 and GATA-3. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that the upregulation of IFN-gamma and IL-4 by SSHT must occur through some interactions between APC and CD4 T cells. Taken together, the present data provide additional information on some of the immunological mechanisms of SSHT for treatment of liver diseases and infections. PMID: 19429332 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] World J Gastroenterol. 2009 Jun 21;15(23):2862-9. Protective effect of RX ASTRAGALI injection on immune organs of rats with obstructive jaundice and its mechanism. Zhang RP, Zhang XP, Ruan YF, Ye SY, Zhao HC, Cheng QH, Wu DJ. Dept of Orthopaedics, First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China. AIM: To observe the protective effect of RX ASTRAGALI injection on immune organs (lymph nodes, spleen and thymus) of rats with obstructive jaundice (OJ) and its mechanism. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into sham- operation group, model control group and RX ASTRAGALI treatment group. On days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after operation, mortality rate of rats, pathological changes in immune organs, expression levels of Bax and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB p65 proteins, apoptosis indexes and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha level in spleen and thymus were observed, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to model control group, the number of dead OJ rats in RX ASTRAGALI treatment group decreased (P > 0.05). The TNF-alpha level (27.62 +/- 12.61 vs 29.55 +/- 18.02, 24.61 +/- 9.09 vs 31.52 +/- 10.95) on days 7 and 21, the pathological severity score for spleen [0.0 (0.0) vs 0.0 (2.0) on days 7 and 14 and for lymph nodes [0.0 (1.0) vs 1.0 (2.0), 1.0 (0.0) vs 2.0 (1.0)] on days 21 and 28, the product staining intensity and positive rate of Bax protein in spleen [0.0 (0.0) vs 1.0 (2.0), 0.0 (1.0) vs 2.0 (1.5) and thymus [0.0 (0.0) vs 1.0 (2.0), 0.0 (1.0) vs 2.0 (1.5)] on days 14 and 28, the apoptotic indexes [0.0 (0.0) vs 0.0 (0.01)] in spleen and thymus [0.0 (0.0) vs 0.0 (0.01) on days 14 and 21 were significantly lower in RX ASTRAGALI treatment group than in model control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: RX ASTRAGALI has protective effects on immune organs of OJ rats by relieving the pathological changes in immune organs, reducing TNF-alpha level and inhibiting Bax expression and apoptosis in spleen and thymus. Publication Types: * Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PMID: 19533807 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] PMCID: PMC2699003 Arch Pharm Res. 2009 Jun;32(6):823-30. Epub 2009 Jun 26. Anti-allergic effects of white rose petal extract and anti-atopic properties of its hexane fraction. Jeon JH, Kwon SC, Park D, Shin S, Jeong JH, Park SY, Hwang SY, Kim YB, Joo SS. College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Korea. ROSA RUGOSA is a species of rose native to eastern Asia. The root of R. rugosa has been used to treat diabetes mellitus, pain and chronic inflammatory disease, and a R. rugosa petal extract has a strong anti- oxidant effect. In the present study, we examined if solvent fractions from white rose petal extract (WRPE) had any anti-allergic or anti-atopic effects not previously reported. WRPE and butanol and hexane fractions effectively reduced systemic anaphylactic reactions and anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE- mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice, with the greatest inhibition observed for the hexane fraction. In addition, a significant reduction of scratching behavior by mice after histamine injection suggested this fraction's potential anti-allergic effect. At the cell level, the hexane fraction markedly inhibited beta-hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 mast cells and suppressed the expressions of mRNA interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 cytokines produced by T helper cells (type 1 and 2). These results strongly support that the hexane fraction may have an effect on atopic dermatitis, as these 2 cell types play central roles in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that either the hexane fraction or one of its components may be beneficial to treat allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis. Publication Types: * Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't PMID: 19557358 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jul 8;(3):CD006454. TCM for epilepsy. Li Q, Chen X, He L, Zhou D. Dept of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Guo xue xiang No.37, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610041. BACKGROUND: Seizures are poorly controlled in many people with epilepsy, despite current antiepileptic treatments. Some turn to alternative or complementary therapy to treat their condition and the use of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs (TCMH) is increasingly popular. However, it remains unclear whether the existing evidence is rigorous enough to support its use. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness and safety of TCM in people with epilepsy. SEARCH STRATEGY: Our search included the Cochrane Epilepsy Group's Specialised Register and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1950 to 2007) and EMBASE (1974 to 2007). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials evaluating TCM in people of any age with any type of epilepsy, and comparing one formula of TCM with no intervention, placebo or single Western medicine (monotherapy). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently extracted trial data and assessed quality. We assessed the following outcomes: (a) seizure freedom for at least one year; (b) 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency; © percentage reduction in seizure frequency and duration; and (d) adverse events. MAIN RESULTS: Five short-term studies involving 1125 participants met the inclusion criteria. All the studies were of poor methodological quality and had a high probability of selection, detection and performance bias. Two studies assessed seizure freedom for one year. One found no difference between XIAXINGCI GRANULE and phenytoin for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.07 to 14.90).The other study found no difference between DIANXIANNING WAN and valproate (RR 13.00; 95% CI 0.74 to 227.72) for different types of epilepsy. Three studies assessed a 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency. One found an advantage for TIANMADINGXIAN CAPSULE when compared to phenytoin (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.53) in different types of epilepsy, the second an advantage for Zhixian I pill when compared to phenytoin (RR 1.31; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.48) in primary generalized tonic-clonic seizure, and the third an advantage for an 'Antiepilepsy capsule' when compared to phenobarbital (RR 1.21; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.43) for primary and secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizure. One study reported the incidence of adverse effects and the Peto odds ratio was 0.04 (99% CI 0.01 to 0.12, p<.00001) favouring TCMH compared to phenobarbital. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence is insufficient to support the use of TCM as a treatment for epilepsy. Much larger, high quality randomised clinical trials are needed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for treating epilepsy. Publication Types: * Meta-Analysis * Review PMID: 19588391 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jul 8;(3):CD006568. CHM for endometriosis. Flower A, Liu JP, Chen S, Lewith G, Little P. Complementary Medicine Research Unit , Dept Primary Medical Care, Southampton University, Norlington Gate Farmhouse, Norlington Lane, Ringmer, Sussex, UK, BN8 5SG. BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of tissue that is morphologically and biologically similar to normal endometrium in locations outside the uterus. Surgical and hormonal treatment of endometriosis have unpleasant side effects and high rates of relapse. In China, treatment of endometriosis using CHM (CHM) is routine and considerable research into the role of CHM in alleviating pain, promoting fertility, and preventing relapse has taken place. OBJECTIVES: To review the effectiveness and safety of CHM in alleviating endometriosis- related pain and infertility. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library) and the following English language electronic databases (from their inception to the present): MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, NLH on the 30/04/09.We also searched Chinese language electronic databases: Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Sci & Tech Journals (VIP), Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS), and Chinese Medical Current Contents (CMCC). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving CHM versus placebo, biomedical treatment, another CHM intervention, or CHM plus biomedical treatment versus biomedical treatment were selected. Only trials with confirmed randomisation procedures and laparoscopic diagnosis of endometriosis were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Risk of bias assessment, and data extraction and analysis were performed independently by three review authors. Data were combined for meta- analysis using relative risk (RR) for dichotomous data. A fixed-effect statistical model was used, where appropriate. Data not suitable for meta- analysis are presented as descriptive data. MAIN RESULTS: Two Chinese RCTs involving 158 women were included in this review. Both these trials described adequate methodology. Neither trial compared CHM with placebo treatment.There was no evidence of a significant difference in rates of symptomatic relief between CHM and gestrinone administered subsequent to laparoscopic surgery (95.65% versus 93.87%; risk ratio (RR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93 to 1.12, one RCT). The intention-to-treat analysis also showed no significant difference between the groups (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.18). There was no significant difference between the CHM and gestrinone groups with regard to the total pregnancy rate (69.6% versus 59.1%; RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.59, one RCT).CHM administered orally and then in conjunction with a herbal enema resulted in a greater proportion of women obtaining symptomatic relief than with danazol (RR 5.06, 95% CI 1.28 to 20.05; RR 5.63, 95% CI 1.47 to 21.54, respectively).Overall, 100% of women in all the groups showed some improvement in their symptoms.Oral plus enema administration of CHM showed a greater reduction in average dysmenorrhoea pain scores than did danazol (mean difference (MD) -2.90, 95% CI -4.55 to -1.25; p<.01).Combined oral and enema administration of CHM showed a greater improvement, measured as the disappearance or shrinkage of adnexal masses, than with danazol (RR 1.70, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.78). For lumbosacral pain, rectal discomfort, or vaginal nodules tenderness, there was no significant difference either between CHM and danazol. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Post-surgical administration of CHM may have comparable benefits to gestrinone but with fewer side effects. Oral CHM may have a better overall treatment effect than danazol; it may be more effective in relieving dysmenorrhea and shrinking adnexal masses when used in conjunction with a CHM enema. However, more rigorous research is required to accurately assess the potential role of CHM in treating endometriosis. Publication Types: * Meta-Analysis * Review PMID: 19588398 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Aug 11. [Epub ahead of print] Effects of the traditional Japanese medicine TOKAKU-JYOKI-TO in rat-models for menopausal hot flash. Noguchi M, Yuzurihara M, Ikarashi Y, Tsuchiya N, Hibino T, Mase A, Kase Y. Tsumura Research Laboratory, 3586 Yoshiwara, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-1192, Japan. AIM OF STUDY: Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) has been suggested as an inducer of centrally-mediated elevation of skin temperature, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is one of the potent vasodilator neuropeptides that has been suggested as an inducer of peripherally-mediated elevation of skin temperature. We investigate the effect of the Japanese herbal medicine TOKAKU-JYOKI-TO (TJT) [Phil = Chinese = TAOHE CHENGQI TANG] using two rat-models for menopausal hot flash. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TJT used in present study was prepared as a spray-dried powder from hot -water extract. Skin temperature was measured by thermister thermometer. Estrogen receptor (ER) binding assay of TJT extract was performed using human recombinant ERalpha or ERbeta. RESULTS: Oral TJT (1g/kg) restored skin temperature rise induced by LH- RH or CGRP in ovariectomized (OVX) rats as well as subcutaneous 17beta- estradiol (0.010mg/kg) did. TJT did not affect the lower concentration of plasma estradiol and the decreased uterine weight due to ovariectomy, although the hormone replacement of 17beta-estradiol restored them. In estrogen receptor ligand-binding study, TJT extract bound to human ER alpha poorly and did not bound to human ERbeta. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that TJT, which appears to contain organ-specific selective estrogen receptor modulator, may be useful to treat hot flashes in patients for whom estrogen replacement therapy is contraindicated as well as menopausal women. PMID: 19682564 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Chin J Integr Med. 2009 Aug;15(4):272-8. Epub 2009 Aug 18. Safety and efficacy of Qingre Buyi Decoction in the treatment of acute radiation proctitis: A prospective, randomized and controlled trial. Wang L, Zhang ZZ, Tu XH, Zou ZD, Liu JH, Wang Y. Research Institute of General Surgery, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou, 350025, China. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficiency, safety, and possible mechanisms of QINGRE BUYI TANG (QBT) in the treatment of acute radiation proctitis (ARP). METHODS: This study was a single center, prospective, single blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 60 patients with ARP was equally and randomly distributed into the control group (conventional treatment) and the combination group (conventional treatment plus QBT). The changes of main CM clinical symptoms and signs, including stomachache, diarrhea, mucous or bloody stool before and after treatment, and their adverse reactions were observed after the two-week treatment. Also, D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO) levels, hepatic and renal function were measured. Cure rates, effective rates, and recurrence rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The blood levels of both DAO and D-lactate were significantly decreased in the combination group as compared with those in the control group (p<.05 or p<.01). All main clinical symptoms and signs were alleviated more significantly in the combination group (p<.01). The main symptom scores also were significantly decreased after treatment in the control group (p<.01), except those for mucous or bloody stool (p>.05). Compared to the control group, the improvements of stomachache, diarrhea, defecation dysfunction, and stool blood in the combination group were significantly better (p<.05 or p<.01). For the combination group, the curative rate, effective rate, and recurrence rate was 76.67%, 16.67%, and 6.67%, respectively. On the other hand, for the control group, the rate was 53.33%, 16.67%, and 30.00%, respectively. The total curative effect was significantly better in the combination group than in the control group (p<.05). However, the recurrence rate was similar between the two groups (p>.05). The hepatic and renal function remained normal in both groups (p>.05). In addition, no severe adverse event was found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of QBT to the conventional treatment can effectively alleviate the damage of intestinal mucosal barrier function and improve all main clinical symptoms and signs of the ARP. The combination of conventional treatment with CHM QBT is effective and safe for ARP. PMID: 19688315 [PubMed - in process] Chin J Integr Med. 2009 Aug;15(4):303-6. Epub 2009 Aug 18. Effect of Yangyin Humo Decoction on oral mucomembranous reaction to radiotherapy. Dai AW, Li ZY, Wang LH, Li SY, Yang H. Dept of Chemoradiotherapy, Kunshan Hospital of TCM, Jiangsu, 215300, China. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of YANGYIN HUMO TANG (YHT) on oral mucomembranous reaction in patients with head-neck tumor undergoing radiotherapy. METHODS: 42 patients with head-neck tumor undergoing radiotherapy were randomized equally into two groups. The two conventional Western medical treatment was administered to all, including intravenous dripping of 2% lidocaine 20 mL, dexamethasone 5 mg, gentamycin 80 000 units, vitamin B(12) 5 mg, dissolved in saline 250 mL, and 5% sodium bicarbonate solution for gargling, but to the patients in the tested group, YHT was given additionally. The medication was started simultaneously all through the whole course of the radiotherapy. Patients were examined every day to observe and compare the degree, initiating time, and repairing time of their oral lesions; the dosage of radiation they received was recorded as well. RESULTS: The degree of mucomembranous reaction that appeared in most patients in the test group was of grade 1-2, while in the control group, it was grade 2-3. The average time for oral lesion of 1, 2, 3 grades to be initiated in the test group was 12.0+/-1.1, 11.0+/-1.3 and 10.0+/-0.8 days, respectively, after radiation started, which was later than that in the control group (p<.01). Moreover, the average repairing time for the lesions of grades 1, 2, and 3 in the test group was 3.0+/-0.7, 10.0+/-1.3 and 19.0+/-0.8 days, which were shorter than those in the control group respectively (p<.01). The radiation applied on the primary tumor of patients with oral lesion of grade 1-3 in the test group was 24.2+/-2.2, 42.0+/-2.6 and 58.0+/-1.6 Gy on the average, respectively, which were higher than that applied on patients in the control group (p<.05 or p<.01). CONCLUSION: The Chinese herbal preparation YHT could alleviate oral mucomembranous reaction to radiation applied in patients with head- neck tumor. PMID: 19688321 [PubMed - in process] Best regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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