Recent Herbal Abstracts on Medline

December 20, 2009

HI All,

See:

Dai AW, Li ZY, Wang LH, Li SY, Yang H (2009) Epub 2009 Aug 18. Effect of

Yangyin Humo Decoction on oral mucomembranous reaction to

radiotherapy. Chin J Integr Med. Aug;15(4):303-6. Dept of

Chemoradiotherapy, Kunshan Hospital of TCM, Jiangsu, 215300, PRC.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Yangyin Humo Decoction (YHD) on

oral mucomembranous reaction in patients with head-neck tumor

undergoing radiotherapy. METHODS: Forty-Forty-two 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, YHD 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<0.01). 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<0.01). 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<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The Chinese herbal preparation

YHD could alleviate oral mucomembranous reaction to radiation applied in

patients with head-neck tumor. PMID: 19688321 [PubMed - indexed for

MEDLINE]

Evans S, Dizeyi N, Abrahamsson PA, Persson J (2009) The effect of a novel

botanical agent TBS-101 on invasive prostate cancer in animal models.

Anticancer Res. Oct;29(10):3917-24. Dept of Clinical Sciences, Clinical

Research Center, Lund Univ, Univ Hospital, 205 02, Malmo, Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Traditional Botanical Supplement-101 (TBS-101) is a

newly developed proprietary botanical agent containing seven standardized

botanical extracts, including: Panax ginseng, cranberry, green tea, grape

skin, grape seed, Ganoderma lucidum and chamomile. Each of the

components has been consumed either in the regular diet or as natural

supplement. When used as a single agent, each of these seven botanicals

has been implicated in chemoprevention and therapy in various types of

cancer. The anticancer effect of TBS-101, with the specific combination of

these anti-cancer botanicals for the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa), has

not been tested. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The IC(50) and the effect of

TBS-101 on the proliferation and apoptosis of PC-3 cells were determined.

Tumor xenograft mice were generated by subcutaneously implanting PC-3

cells into mice and tumors were allowed to grow to different sizes before

starting the treatment. The effects of TBS-101 on tumor growth were

assessed by measuring tumor size and by histological, pathological and

immunohistochemical analyses. A basic toxicity study was performed to test

the tolerance of the mice to high doses of TBS-101. RESULTS: Treatment

of the PC-3 cells with TBS-101 resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of

cell growth, with an IC(50) of 1.4 microg/ml. A concomitant induction of

apoptosis in PC-3 cells treated with TBS-101 was also observed. Upon the

treatment with TBS-101, all three groups of mice bearing moderate or large

tumors showed significant inhibition of tumor growth and invasion. In

contrast, control mice treated with vehicle alone had significant tumor growth

and lymph node metastasis. In the basic toxicity studies, high doses of TBS-

101 exerted no toxicity in healthy or tumor-bearing mice. CONCLUSION:

The natural botanical agent TBS-101 has a good safety profile and

significant anticancer activities in hormone-refractory PC-3 cells and large

aggressive PC-3 tumors in a xenograft mouse model and has great potential

for the treatment of aggressive prostate cancer. PMID: 19846929 [PubMed -

indexed for MEDLINE]

Gao J, Li J, Shao X, Jin Y, Lü XW, Ge JF, Huang Y, Zhang L, Chen L (2009)

Antiinflammatory and immunoregulatory effects of total glucosides of

Yupingfeng powder. Chin Med J (Engl). Jul 20;122(14):1636-41. Dept of

Pharmacy of the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical Univ, Hefei, PRC.

BACKGROUND: Yupingfeng, a traditional Chinese complex prescription,

has been used efficaciously in PRC for the cure and prevention of

inflammatory diseases related to immunodeficiency such as allergic rhinitis

and chronic bronchitis. However, the active components of this prescription

remain unclear. The present study focused on investigating the

antiinflammatory and immunoregulatory effects of the glucosidic extract from

Yupingfeng. METHODS: We tested animal models for ear swelling induced

by dimethylbenzene in mice; palm swelling induced by carregeenin and

granuloma induced by cotton pellet in rats; level of haemolysin, antibody

generation by the splenic cells, delayed hypersensitivity and T cell subsets in

spleen of immunosuppressed mice. RESULTS: Glucosidic extract of 24

mg/kg, 48 mg/kg and 96 mg/kg significantly inhibited mice's ear swelling

induced by dimethylbenzene. Similarly glucosidic extract of 16 mg/kg, 32

mg/kg and 64 mg/kg inhibited rats' palm swelling induced by carregeenin

and granuloma induced by cotton pellet. Glucosidic extract of 24 mg/kg, 48

mg/kg and 96 mg/kg improved the IgM level in serum and level of

haemolysin in splenocytes in mice immunosuppressed by

cyclophosphamide. Delayed hypersensitivity in mice suppressed by

cyclophosphamide was enhanced by glucosidic extract of 24 mg/kg, 48

mg/kg and 96 mg/kg. These results suggested that Yupingfeng could

recover humoral and cellular immune function in mice with

immunosuppression. Glucosidic extract of 48 mg/kg and 96 mg/kg

significantly resisted the immunosuppressive mice ear swelling and

maintained it at nearly normal level. The enhanced, delayed hypersensitivity

actions of glucosidic extract, suppressed by cyclophosphamide, might be

brought about by inducing TH cell and regulating T lymphocytes subset.

CONCLUSIONS: The glucosidic extract from Yupingfeng has

antiinflammatory and immunoregulation action, suggesting that these

glucosides are the principal active components of the traditional Chinese

prescription Yupingfeng. PMID: 19719964 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Guo J, Zhang RM, Huang ZW, Wang L, Liu SS, Diao JC, Hu SY, Lin BH

(2009) [Yunchang Capsule in treatment of functional constipation: a

randomized, double-blinded controlled, multicenter trial.] [Article in Chinese].

Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2009 Dec;7(12):1123-9. Dept of Integrated

Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West PRC Hospital, Sichuan

Univ, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, PRC;E-mail:

huangzongwen Background: Although there are some

Chinese herbal medicines in treatment of constipation, but no multi-center

randomized controlled trials have been carried out to prove their

effectiveness. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Yunchang

Capsule in treatment of functional constipation with deficiency of both qi and

yin and internal accumulation of poisonous pathogenic factors syndrome,

and to explore the clinical dosage. Design, setting, participants and

interventions: A randomized, double-blinded controlled, multicenter trial was

conducted. A total of 240 patients with functional constipation from West

PRC Hospital of Sichuan Univ, Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Univ of TCM,

Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi Univ of TCM, the First Affiliated Hospital of

Tianjing Univ of TCM and Fujian Academy of TCM were randomly divided

into three groups: low dose group (80 cases), high dose group (80 cases)

and control group (80 cases). Patients in the low dose group were treated

with two pills (0.35 g/pill) of Yunchang Capsule and one pill of Yunchang

Capsule simulant for three times daily; patients in the high dose group were

treated with three pills (0.35 g/pill) of Yunchang Capsule for three times

daily; and patients in the control group were treated with three pills (0.35

g/pill) of Biantong Capsule for three times daily. The therapeutic course was

14 days. Main outcome measures: Clinical symptoms, syndromes, and

adverse effects were observed before and after the treatment, and blood,

urine and stool tests, hepatorenal function and electrocardiogram were also

examined. Results: Two cases were excluded, eleven cases were lost to

follow-up, and there were 234 patients entered to intention-to-treat (ITT)

analysis. After the treatment, the therapeutic effects were calculated by full

analysis set (FAS) and per-protocol population set (PPS) analysis

respectively. The effects on functional constipation in FAS showed the

response rates in the low dose, high dose and control groups were 86.25%

(69/80), 82.90% (63/76), and 70.52% (55/78) respectively, and PPS analysis

showed the response rates were 85.71% (66/77), 83.56% (61/73), and

70.13% (54/77) respectively. There were no significant differences among

the three groups (P>0.05). The effects on TCM syndrome in FAS showed

the response rates in the low dose, high dose and control groups were

78.75% (63/80), 69.74% (53/76), and 67.95% (53/78) respectively, and PPS

analysis showed the response rates were 77.92% (60/77), 69.87%(51/73),

and 67.53% (52/77) respectively. There were also no significant differences

among the three groups (P>0.05). No severe adverse events were

observed. Conclusion: Both low dose and high dose of Yunchang Capsule

are effective and safe in treatment of functional constipation with deficiency

of both qi and yin and internal accumulation of poisonous pathogenic factors

syndrome. PMID: 20015431 [PubMed - in process]

Li ZB, Yuan PW, Zhu C (2009) [Effect of the mixed liquor of danshen and

magnesium sulfate injection on IgG and IgM in serum of rabbits with lumbar

intervertebral disc herniation] [Article in Chinese]. Zhongguo Gu Shang.

Oct;22(10):773-5. Dept of Orthopaedics, the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi

College of TCM, Xianyang 712000, Shaanxi, PRC. OBJECTIVE: To explore

the effect of the mixed liquor of danshen and magnesium sulfate injection on

inflammatory reaction caused by autoimmune response of rabbits with

lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS: Sixty rabbits were divided

into blank group (10 rabbits), sham operation group (10 rabbits), model

group (40 rabbits) according to method of random digits table. Then model

group was divided into made group (group A, 10 rabbits), normal saline

group (group B, 10 rabbits), aescin natrium group (group C, 10 rabbits) and

danshen and magnesium sulfate injection group (group D,10 rabbits). After

model success of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, different drugs were

given to rabbits with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation by ear margin vein.

The rabbits of the group C,B,D were respectively given aescin natriu (0.5

mg/kg), normal saline (5 ml/kg), danshen and magnesium sulfate injection

(2.0 mg/kg). The rabbits of blank group, sham operation group and group A

were not given any disposal. The IgG and IgM level in serum of different

groups were determined with ELISA method in fourteen day after model

success and drugs given. RESULTS: The level of IgG and IgM in the group

A was higher than that of blank group and sham operation group (P < 0.05).

The level of IgG and IgM in the group D was lower than that of group B,C (P

< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mixed liquor of danshen () and magnesium

sulfate injection could inhibit inflammatory reaction caused by autoimmune

response of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation,which provides a new

alternative for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. PMID: 19902761

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Malviya N, Jain S (2009) Wound healing activity of aqueous extract of Radix

paeoniae root. Acta Pol Pharm. Sep-Oct;66(5):543-7. Dept of

Pharmacognosy, Smriti College of Pharmaceutical Education, Dewas Naka,

Indore-452010 Madhya Pradesh, India. neelesh_brncop

Aqueous extract of the roots of Radix paeoniae (Paeonaceae) was screened

for wound healing by excision, incision and dead space wound models on

Wistar rats. The parameters studied were breaking strength in case of

incision wounds, epithelialisation and wound contraction in case of excision

wound and granulation tissue dry weight, breaking strength and

hydroxyproline content in case of dead space wound. The Nitrofurazone

ointment treated group showed a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the

wound breaking strength when compared to control group in incision type of

wound model. The results obtained indicated that Radix paeoniae root

extract accelerates the wound healing process by decreasing the surface

area of the wound and increasing the tensile strength. The histological

examination of the granulation tissue of treated group showed increased

cross-linking of collagen fibers and absence of monocytes. PMID: 19894650

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

McKay DL, Chen CY, Saltzman E, Blumberg JB (2009) Hibiscus Sabdariffa

L. Tea (Tisane) Lowers Blood Pressure in Prehypertensive and Mildly

Hypertensive Adults. J Nutr. 2009 Dec 16. [Epub ahead of print].

Antioxidants Research Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition

Research Center on Aging at Tufts Univ, Boston, MA 02111. In vitro studies

show Hibiscus sabdariffa L., an ingredient found in many herbal tea blends

and other beverages, has antioxidant properties, and, in animal models,

extracts of its calyces have demonstrated hypocholesterolemic and

antihypertensive properties. Our objective in this study was to examine the

antihypertensive effects of H. sabdariffa tisane (hibiscus tea) consumption in

humans. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was

conducted in 65 pre- and mildly hypertensive adults, age 30-70 y, not taking

blood pressure (BP)-lowering medications, with either 3 240-mL servings/d

of brewed hibiscus tea or placebo beverage for 6 wk. A standardized

method was used to measure BP at baseline and weekly intervals. At 6 wk,

hibiscus tea lowered systolic BP (SBP) compared with placebo (-7.2 +/- 11.4

vs. -1.3 +/- 10.0 mm Hg; P = 0.030). Diastolic BP was also lower, although

this change did not differ from placebo (-3.1 +/- 7.0 vs. -0.5 +/- 7.5 mm Hg;

P = 0.160). The change in mean arterial pressure was of borderline

significance compared with placebo (-4.5 +/- 7.7 vs. -0.8 +/- 7.4 mm Hg; P =

0.054). Participants with higher SBP at baseline showed a greater response

to hibiscus treatment (r = -0.421 for SBP change; P = 0.010). No effects

were observed with regard to age, gender, or dietary supplement use. These

results suggest daily consumption of hibiscus tea, in an amount readily

incorporated into the diet, lowers BP in pre- and mildly hypertensive adults

and may prove an effective component of the dietary changes

recommended for people with these conditions. PMID: 20018807 [PubMed -

as supplied by publisher]

Rasal AS, Nayak PG, Baburao K, Shenoy RR, Mallikarjuna Rao C (2009)

Evaluation of the healing potential of Schrebera swietenioides in the

dexamethasone-suppressed wound healing in rodents. Int J Low Extrem

Wounds. Sep;8(3):147-52. Manipal Univ, Manipal, Karnataka, India. The

wound healing potential of the aqueous, alcoholic extracts, and the butanolic

fraction of the alcoholic extract obtained from the bark of Schrebera

swietenioides were evaluated in the dexamethasone suppressed wound

healing model. The work was conducted on rodents using incision, excision,

and dead space wound models. The extracts of S swietenioides enhanced

the breaking strength of incision wounds significantly (P < .05). Faster

epithelization and contraction of excision wounds were observed in the

treated groups (P < .05). Dead space wound model demonstrated an

increase in breaking strength of granulation tissue and weight of dried

granulation tissue after treatment with the extracts.The extracts attenuated

the effect of dexamethasone on healing.The total RNA isolated from the

granulation tissues of the extract-treated animals was significantly higher

than in both dexamethasone and normal groups, (P < 0.05). It was observed

that the DNA was intact in all the groups. These findings suggest that

dexamethasone suppresses wound healing, possibly through an

inappropriate transcription rather than causing DNA damage. S

swietenioides extracts can reverse this effect. PMID: 19703950 [PubMed -

indexed for MEDLINE]

van Die MD, Bone KM, Burger HG, Reece JE, Teede HJ (2009) Effects of a

combination of Hypericum perforatum and Vitex agnus-castus on PMS-like

symptoms in late-perimenopausal women: findings from a subpopulation

analysis. J Altern Complement Med. Sep;15(9):1045-8. Royal Melbourne

Institute of Technology Univ, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.

diana.vandie BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that

some of the symptoms typically attributed to menopause may be more

related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) than menopause, as

perimenopausal women appear to be more prone to PMS-like symptoms, or

at least to tolerate them less well. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study

was to evaluate the effectiveness of a phytotherapeutic intervention

comprising a combination of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) and

Vitex agnus-castus (chaste tree/berry) in the management of PMS-like

symptoms in perimenopausal women. DESIGN: A double-blind, randomized,

placebo-controlled parallel trial was conducted over 16 weeks on

menopause-related symptoms. Data on PMS-like symptoms were collected

at 4-weekly intervals from a small subgroup of late-perimenopausal women

(n = 14) participating in this study. The primary endpoint was PMS scores

measured on the Abrahams Menstrual Symptoms Questionnaire,

comprising the subclusters of PMS-A (anxiety), PMS-D (depression), PMS-

H (hydration), and PMS-C (cravings). Herbal combination therapy or placebo

tablets were administered twice daily. RESULTS: At the end of the 16-week

treatment phase, analyses of covariance showed the herbal combination to

be superior to placebo for total PMS-like scores (p = 0.02), PMS-D (p =

0.006), and PMS-C clusters (p = 0.027). The active treatment group also

showed significant reductions in the anxiety (p = 0.003) and hydration (p =

0.002) clusters, using paired-samples t tests. Results of trend analyses

showed significant treatment group effects across the five phases for total

PMS and all subscales, all in the clinically expected direction. No significant

trends were evident in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: These results

suggest a potentially significant clinical application for this phytotherapeutic

combination in PMS-like symptoms among perimenopausal women. Further

research is warranted through a randomized, controlled trial dedicated to

investigation of these symptoms. PMID: 19757982 [PubMed - indexed for

MEDLINE]

Wang L, Zhang ZZ, Tu XH, Zou ZD, Liu JH, Wang Y (2009) Safety and

efficacy of Qingre Buyi Decoction in the treatment of acute radiation proctitis:

a prospective, randomized and controlled trial. Chin J Integr Med.

Aug;15(4):272-8. Epub 2009 Aug 18. Research Institute of General Surgery,

Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou, 350025, PRC. OBJECTIVE: To

investigate the efficiency, safety, and possible mechanisms of Qingre Buyi

Decoction (QBD) 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 QBD). The changes of main Chinese medicine 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<0.05 or

P<0.01). All main clinical symptoms and signs were alleviated more

significantly in the combination group (P<0.01). The main symptom scores

also were significantly decreased after treatment in the control group

(P<0.01), except those for mucous or bloody stool (P>0.05). Compared to

the control group, the improvements of stomachache, diarrhea, defecation

dysfunction, and stool blood in the combination group were significantly

better (P<0.05 or P<0.01). 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<0.05). However,

the recurrence rate was similar between the two groups (P>0.05). The

hepatic and renal function remained normal in both groups (P>0.05). In

addition, no severe adverse event was found in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Addition of QBD 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 Chinese herbal medicine QBD is effective

and safe for ARP. PMID: 19688315 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Xiong Y, Jing Y, Shang M, Li C, Ye J, Wang X, Cai S (2009) [Anti-

inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects in mice of water and ethanol

extracts of roots and rhizomes of Asarum heterotropoides var.

mandshuricum] [Article in Chinese]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi.

Sep;34(17):2252-7. Dept of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of

Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking Univ, Beijing 100191, PRC. OBJECTIVE:

To compare the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of the

different water extracts which were prepared by regular decoction time or

removing volatie oil and ethanol extracts which were prepared in different

concentration ethanol of Xixin (the roots and rhizomes of Asarum

heterotropoides var. mandshuricum), and then to investigate the anti-

inflammatory and antinociceptive mechanisms. METHOD: Xylene-induced

ICR mouse ear edema and hot plate test were utilized to evaluate the anti-

inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of Xixin at different dose level

(water extracts of regular decoction time or removing volatie oil at the dose

of 0.8 g x kg(-1) and 1.6 g x kg(-1); 95% ethanol extracts at the dose of 0.91

g x kg(-1) and 1.82 g x kg(-1); 50% ethanol extracts at the dose of 0.76 g x

kg(-1) and 1.52 g x kg(-1)). Xylene-induced adrenalectomized mouse ear

edema model was used to study the anti-inflammatory mechanisms. To

reveal the anti-nociceptive mechanisms, mice were pretreated with naloxone

in the hot plate test. RESULT: The water extracts significantly reduced the

weight of ear edema as compared with control group. Inhibition ratios were

43.20% and 63.69% at the higher dose, respectively. The ethanol extracts

also significantly reduced the weight of ear edema and the inhibition ratios

were 61.86% and 52. 56% at the higher dose, respectively. Mice

administered water extracts delayed the latency times in the hot plate test.

The anti-nociceptive effects of water extracts peaked at 2.0 h after i.g.

administration. The hot plate latency times were increased by 51.27%,

62.78%, 60.08% and 68.00% at peak time, respectively. Regular decoction

time group showed more significant effects in both models. The anti-

inflammatory effect of 95% ethanol extracts was similar to 50% ethanol

extracts. The water extracts were not effective in reducing xylene-induced

adrenalectomized mouse ear edema. The anti-nociceptive effect of water

extracts was blocked by naloxone. CONCLUSION: Both the water extracts

and ethanol extracts of Xixin showed considerable anti-inflammatory

potency against xylene induced inflammation. The water extracts produced

anti-nociception in thermal model. The water extracts prepared in regular

decoction time showed better anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects.

Both the 95% ethanol and 50% ethanol extracts showed similarly anti-

inflammatory effects. The anti-inflammatory effect of water extracts related

to adrenal gland. The anti-nociceptive effect of water extracts was involved

in activating opioid receptor. PMID: 19943497 [PubMed - indexed for

MEDLINE]

Xu JN, Que HF, Tang HJ (2009) [Effects and action mechanisms of Buyang

Huanwu Decoction in wound healing of chronic skin ulcers of rats.] [Article in

Chinese]. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2009 Dec;7(12):1145-9. Institute of

Chinese Traditional Surgery, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai Univ of TCM,

Shanghai 200032, PRC;E-mail: xu_jienan Objective: To explore

the effects and action mechanisms of Buyang Huanwu Decoction, a

compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in wound healing of chronic

skin ulcers of rats. Methods: A total of 54 male SD rats with back full-

thickness skin lesion were used in this study. Except for the normal control

group, the rats were injected with hydrocortisone for inducing chronic skin

ulcers, and were randomly divided into untreated group and Buyang Huanwu

Decoction group. The rate and the time of wound healing were observed.

Immunohistochemical method and image analytical method were used to

test the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and

microvessel count (MVC) in granulation tissue of chronic skin ulcers in the

rats. Results: The rate of wound healing was significantly lowered in the

untreated group as compared with the normal control group (P<0.01,

P<0.05), and the time of wound healing was obviously longer too (P<0.01).

In the Buyang Huanwu Decoction group, the rate of wound healing was

significantly higher than that in the untreated group (P<0.01), and the time of

wound healing was obviously shorter than the latter's (P<0.01). In the

untreated group, the expression of VEGF and MVC were significantly lower

than those in the normal control group (P<0.01); the expression of VEGF

and MVC were obviously increased in the Buyang Huanwu Decoction group

as compared with those in the untreated group (P<0.01). Conclusion:

Buyang Huanwu Decoction has the effect to promote the wound healing for

chronic skin ulcers of rats by regulating the expression of VEGF in

granulation tissue of chronic skin ulcers. PMID: 20015435 [PubMed - in

process]

Xue W, Hu JF, Yuan YH, Sun JD, Li BY, Zhang DM, Li CJ, Chen NH (2009)

Polygalasaponin XXXII from Polygala tenuifolia root improves hippocampal-

dependent learning and memory. Acta Pharmacol Sin. Sep;30(9):1211-9.

Epub 2009 Aug 17. Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of

Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PRC.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the cognition-enhancing

activity and underlying mechanisms of a triterpenoid saponin

(polygalasaponin XXXII, PGS32) isolated from the roots of Polygala

tenuifolia Willd. METHODS: The Morris water maze was used to evaluate

the spatial learning and memory of mice. To detect the basic properties of

synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the dentate gyrus

of rats, electrophysiological recordings were made of evoked potentials.

Western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence assays were used to

determine the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase

(ERK), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), synapsin I and the

expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). RESULTS: When

administered at 0.125, 0.5, or 2 mg/kg, PGS32 could significantly prevent

scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in mice. Intracerebroventricular

(icv) administration of PGS32 greatly enhanced basic synaptic transmission

in the dentate gyrus of rats and induced LTP. In primary hippocampal

neurons, as well as in the hippocampus of maze-trained mice, PGS32

activated the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade by promoting

phosphorylation of ERK, CREB and synapsin I. The expression of BDNF

was also greatly enhanced in the hippocampus. CONCLUSION: Our

findings suggest that PGS32 can improve hippocampus-dependent learning

and memory, possibly through improvement of synaptic transmission,

activation of the MAP kinase cascade and enhancement of the level of

BDNF. Therefore, PGS32 shows promise as a potential cognition-enhancing

therapeutic drug. PMID: 19684611 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Zhang Q, Tang Y, Wang R, Wang S, Fang M, Zhang Y, Zheng X (2009)

[Effect of Santalum album on tissue distribution of danshensu in rabbits by

HPLC] [Article in Chinese]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. Aug;34(15):1968-

70. College of Life Science, Northwest Univ, Xi'an 710069, PRC.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of Shi herb (Santalum album, SA)

to the tissue distribution of danshensu (DSS) which is the main hydrosoluble

component of Jun herb (Salvia miltiorrhiza, SM) in rabbits by HPLC.

METHOD: Rabbits were oral administrated decoction of SM and SM-SA,

respectively. Perchloric acid (10%) was used to precipitate the tissue

samples of rabbits heart, brain, liver, kidney, acetic ether was used to

extracte supernatant, and the internal standard was p-hydroxybenzoic acid.

The content of DSS of SM in tissues was detected. RESULT: The content of

DSS reached the highest point close to 50 min in the mentioned tissues.

Before and after co-administration, the sequences of average concentration

of DSS in tissues were C(kidney) > C(heart) > C(brain) > C(liver) and

C(kidney) > C(liver) > C(brain) > C(heart) respectively. Compared with SM

administrated singly, the content of DSS in every tissues of co-

administration was higher. CONCLUSION: In Danshenyin Formulae, SA can

increase concentration of DSS in target tissues significantly, and therefore

therapeutic effect of SM for cardiovascular disease is raised. PMID:

19894546 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Zhang Q, Tang Y, Wang R, Wang S, Fang M, Zhang Y, Zheng X (2009)

[Effect of Santalum album on tissue distribution of danshensu in rabbits by

HPLC] [Article in Chinese]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. Aug;34(15):1968-

70.College of Life Science, Northwest Univ, Xi'an 710069, PRC.