Action Mechanisms of Du-Huo-Ji-Sheng-Tang on Cartilage Degradation in a Rabbit Model of Osteoarthritis

Du-Huo-Ji-Sheng-Tang (DHJST) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used to treat osteoarthritis. In the present study, the therapeutic effect of DHJST on cartilage degradation in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis was investigated. In the knee joints of rabbits, anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) was performed to induce experimental osteoarthritis. At the end of the sixth week, 30 rabbits with ACLT were divided into six groups, control group, DHJST group and Osaminethacine (OSA) group, which were followed for another 4 weeks. The other three groups of rabbits with ACLT were untreated with DHJST or OSA, which were sacrificed after 6 weeks, and served as 6-week time point controls. Results indicated that at the end of the sixth week after surgery, there was a significantly histological degeneration in the control group compared with the normal group. In the control group, the mean score for histological degeneration were further increases at 10th week, and there was a significantly lower mean score for histological degeneration in the DHJST group compared with the control group. To research the potential mechanism, the expression level of VEGF and HIF-1α were detected. The expression of VEGF mRNA and HIF-1α mRNA are low in normal group, while the activities increase gradually in the control group. However, compared to that of the same time point model group, activity of VEGF and HIF-1α decreased significantly in DHJST group. In conclusion, DHJST exerts significant therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis rabbits, and mechanisms are associated with inhibition of VEGF and HIF-1α expression

The influence of traditional herbal formulas on cytokine activity

Many of the botanical “immunomodulators”, a class of herbal medicines widely recognized in traditional medical systems such as Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic Medicine, alter immune function and may offer clinically relevant therapeutics or leads to therapeutics. Many of these traditional remedies are prepared from combinations of medicinal plants which may influence numerous molecular pathways. These effects may differ from the sum of effects from the individual plants and therefore, research demonstrating the effects of the formula is crucial for insights into the effects of traditional remedies. In this review we surveyed the primary literature for research that focused on combinations of medicinal plants and effects on cytokine activity. The results demonstrate that many extracts of herb mixtures have effects on at least one cytokine. The most commonly studies cytokines were IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF and IFN-?. The majority of the formulas researched derived from TCM. The following formulas had activity on at least three cytokines; Chizukit N, CKBM, Daeganghwal-tang, Food Allergy Formula, Gamcho-Sasim-Tang, Hachimi-jio-gan, Herbkines, Hochuekki, Immune System Formula, Jeo-Dang-Tang, Juzen-taiho-to, Kakkon-to, Kan jang, Mao-Bushi-Saishin-to, MSSM-002, Ninjin-youei-to, PG201, Protec, Qing-huo-bai-du-yin, Qingfu Guanjieshu, Sambucol Active Defense, Seng-fu-tang, Shin-Xiao-Xiang, Tien Hsien, Thuja formula, Unkei-to, Vigconic, Wheeze-relief-formula, Xia-Bai-San, Yangyuk-Sanhwa-Tang, Yi-fey Ruenn-hou, and Yuldahansotang. Of the western based combinations, formulas with Echinacea spp. were common and showed multiple activities. Numerous formulas demonstrated activity on both gene and protein expression. The research demonstrates that the reviewed botanical formulas modulate cytokine activity, although the bulk of the research is in vitro. Therapeutic success using these formulas may be partially due to their effects on cytokines. Further study of phytotherapy on cytokine related diseases/syndromes is necessary

Du-Huo-Ji-Sheng-Tang Attenuates Inflammation of TNF-Tg Mice Related to Promoting Lymphatic Drainage Function

To investigate whether Du-Huo-Ji-Sheng-Tang (DHJST) attenuate inflammation of RA related to lymphatic drainage function in vivo, we treated eight 3-month-old TNF-Tg mice with DHJST (12 g/kg) or the same volume of physiological saline once every day for 12 weeks, and 3-month-old WT littermates were used as negative control. After twelve weeks, we performed NIR-ICG imaging and found that DHJST increased the ICG clearance at the footpad and the pulse of efferent lymphatic vessel between popliteal lymph node and footpad. Histology staining at ankle joints showed that DHJST decreases synovial inflammation, bone erosion, cartilage erosion, and TRAP+ osteoclast area in TNF-Tg mice. Immunohistochemical staining by using anti-Lyve-1 and anti-podoplanin antibody showed that DHJST stimulated lymphangiogenesis in ankle joints of TNF-Tg mice. And zebrafish study suggested that DHJST promoted the formation of lymphatic thoracic duct. In conclusion, DHJST inhibits inflammation severity and promotes lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic drainage function of TNF-Tg mice

Effectiveness, Medication Patterns, and Adverse Events of Traditional Chinese Herbal Patches for Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

Objective. The aim of this study is to systematically evaluate the evidence whether traditional Chinese herbal patches (TCHPs) for osteoarthritis (OA) are effective and safe and analyze their medication patterns. Methods. A systematic literature search was performed using all the possible Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keywords from January 1979 to July 2013. Both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were included. Estimated effects were analyzed using mean difference (MD) or relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and meta-analysis. Results. 86 kinds of TCHPs were identified. RCTs and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) which were mostly of low quality favored TCHPs for local pain and dysfunction relief. TCHPs, compared with diclofenac ointment, had significant effects on global effectiveness rate (RR = 0.50; 95% CI (0.29, 0.87)). Components of formulae were mainly based on the compounds “Xiao Huo Luo Dan” (Minor collateral-freeing pill) and “Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang” (Angelicae Pubescentis and Loranthi decoction). Ten kinds of adverse events (AEs), mainly consisting of itching and/or local skin rashes, were identified after 3-4 weeks of follow-up. Conclusions. TCHPs have certain evidence in improving global effectiveness rate for OA; however, more rigorous studies are warranted to support their use

Chinese herbal recipe versus diclofenac in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN70292892]

BACKGROUND: Duhuo Jisheng Wan (DJW) is perhaps the best known and most widely used Chinese herbal recipe for arthralgia, but the clinical study to verify its efficacy is lacking. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of DJW versus diclofenac in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. METHODS: This study was a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, controlled trial. The 200 patients suffering from OA of the knee, were randomized into the DJW and diclofenac group. The patients were evaluated after a run-in period of one week (week 0) and then weekly during 4 weeks of treatment. The clinical assessments included visual analog scale (VAS) score that assessed pain and stiffness, Lequesne's functional index, time for climbing up 10 steps, as well as physician's and patients' overall opinions on improvement. RESULTS: Ninety four patients in each group completed the study. In the first few weeks of treatment, the mean changes in some variables (VAS, which assessed walking pain, standing pain and stiffness, as well as Lequesne's functional index) of the DJW group were significantly lower than those of the diclofenac group. Afterwards, these mean changes became no different throughout the study. Most of the physician's and patients' overall opinions on improvement at each time point did not significantly differ between the two groups. Approximately 30% of patients in both groups experienced mild adverse events. CONCLUSION: DJW demonstrates clinically comparable efficacy to diclofenac after 4 weeks of treatment. However, the slow onset of action as well as approximately equal rate of adverse events to diclofenac might limit its alternative role in treatment of OA of the knee

Chemical markers for the quality control of herbal medicines: an overview

Selection of chemical markers is crucial for the quality control of herbal medicines, including authentication of genuine species, harvesting the best quality raw materials, evaluation of post-harvesting handling, assessment of intermediates and finished products, and detection of harmful or toxic ingredients. Ideal chemical markers should be the therapeutic components of herbal medicines. However, for most herbal medicines, the therapeutic components have not been fully elucidated or easily monitored. Bioactive, characteristic, main, synergistic, correlative, toxic and general components may be selected. This article reviews the effective use of chemical markers in the quality control of herbal medicines including the selection criteria considering the roles and physicochemical factors which may affect the effective use of chemical markers

Structural characterization and antioxidant activity of processed polysaccharides PCP-F1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua.

IntroductionPolygonatum cyrtonema Hua. (PC) is a traditional Chinese herb with a history of use in both food and medicine. For clinical use, processed PC pieces are most commonly used, while present research has focused on crude PC polysaccharides (PCPs).MethodsIn this study, a new polysaccharide, PCP-F1, with a molecular weight of 37.46 kDa, was separated from four-time processed PCPs by column chromatography and evaluated by antioxidant activity. It was composed of glucose, mannose, galactose, rhamnose, and galacturonic acid with a molar ratio of 3.5: 2.5: 1.3: 1.8: 0.8.Results and DiscussionThe methylation analysis and two-dimensional NMR measurement revealed that the configuration of PCP-F1 contained nine residues in the primary structural unit by the chain of →3)-α-D-Glcp, →2)-α-D-Glcp (6→, →1)-ꞵ-D-Glcp (2→, →2)-α-D-GalAp (3,4→, →1) -ꞵ-D-Manp (3→, →2)-α-D-Glcp (3→, branched for →3)-α-D-Glcp, →2)-ꞵ-D-Galp (4→, →1)-ꞵ-D-Glcp (2→, →2,4)-α-D-Manp (6→, →3)-α-L-Rhap (4→. Radical scavenging assays indicated that PCP-F1 could scavenge radicals with a high scavenging rate, suggesting PCP-F1 possesses good antioxidant activity. The study confirms the importance of processed PC and offers the potential for exploiting it as a functional food

Adverse reaction of Chinese herbal medicines.

Hin-Chung Chu.Thesis submitted in: July 2002.Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 281-306).Abstracts in English and Chinese.Cover (English & Chinese version) --- p.I中文封面 --- p.IIAbstract (English version) --- p.III-IV中藥不良反應論文摘要 --- p.VAcknowledgements --- p.VIAbbreviations --- p.VII-VIIIPublication in press --- p.IXContent --- p.X-XVLists of Table --- p.XVIChapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1-3Chapter Chapter 2 --- Chinese herbal medicines used in Hong Kong. --- p.4-15Chapter 2.1 --- Overview --- p.4-5Chapter 2.2 --- The Policy In Hong Kong -- Past And Present --- p.5-1Chapter 2.3 --- The Preparatory Committee on Chinese Medicine (PCCM) --- p.7-8Chapter 2.4 --- The Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong --- p.8-10Chapter 2.5 --- Development of Standards --- p.10Chapter 2.6 --- Development of Centres of Good Clinical Practice --- p.10-11Chapter 2.7 --- Establishment of a Good System of Education and Training --- p.11Chapter 2.8 --- Investigation of Suspected Herbal Toxicity Cases --- p.12-13Chapter 2.8.1 --- Herbal Safety Surveillance --- p.13-14Chapter 2.9 --- Conclusion --- p.14-15Chapter Chapter 3 --- Herbal medicines used in other countries --- p.16-45Chapter 3.1 --- Overview --- p.16Chapter 3.2 --- China --- p.16-19Chapter 3.3 --- Macau --- p.22-23Chapter 3.4 --- Taiwan --- p.23-26Chapter 3.5 --- Japan --- p.27-30Chapter 3.6 --- Singapore --- p.30-31Chapter 3.7 --- Australia --- p.31-34Chapter 3.8 --- Others Asian countries --- p.35Chapter 3.9 --- USA --- p.35-39Chapter 3.10 --- United Kingdom --- p.39-41Chapter 3.11 --- Europe --- p.41-43Chapter 3.12 --- Germany --- p.43-45Chapter Chapter 4 --- Adverse reaction -- General Aspect --- p.46-63Chapter 4.1 --- Overview --- p.46Chapter 4.2 --- Traditional Chinese medicine --- p.47-49Chapter 4.2.1 --- Compound Prescriptions to Reduce Toxicity --- p.50Chapter 4.2.2 --- Processing Of Chinese Herbs --- p.50-51Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- The Aims of Herbal Drug Processing --- p.51-52Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- The Methods of Herbal Drug Processing --- p.52Chapter 4.2.2.3 --- External processing (simple treatment by trimming) --- p.52-53Chapter 4.2.2.4 --- Water processing --- p.53-54Chapter 4.2.2.5 --- Fire processing --- p.54Chapter 4.2.2.6 --- Water-fire processing --- p.54-55Chapter 4.2.2.7 --- Other methods --- p.55Chapter 4.3 --- Practical Problem in Traditional Chinese Medicine --- p.55-57Chapter 4.4 --- Evaluation of herbal adverse reactions --- p.57Chapter 4.4.1 --- Type A reactions --- p.57Chapter 4.4.2 --- Type B reactions --- p.58Chapter 4.4.3 --- Type C reactions --- p.58Chapter 4.4.4 --- Type D reactions --- p.58Chapter 4.5 --- Chinese Proprietary medicine --- p.58-59Chapter 4.6 --- Potential Risks for Herbal Adverse Reaction --- p.59Chapter 4.6.1 --- Misidentification --- p.59-60Chapter 4.6.2 --- Lack of standardisation --- p.60Chapter 4.6.3 --- Contamination --- p.60Chapter 4.6.4 --- Incorrect preparation / dosage --- p.60Chapter 4.6.5 --- Excessive dosage --- p.60-61Chapter 4.6.6 --- Individual errors --- p.61Chapter 4.6.7 --- Individual response --- p.61Chapter 4.6.8 --- Unqualified Herbal Practitioner with Wrong Prescription --- p.61-62Chapter 4.6.9 --- Interaction with Western medicine --- p.62Chapter 4.6.10 --- Prolonged Usage --- p.62Chapter 4.6.11. --- Coexisting disease --- p.62-63Chapter 4.7 --- Conclusion --- p.63Chapter Chapter 5 --- "Substitution, Adulteration or Misusing with Toxic Herbs" --- p.64-84Chapter 5.1 --- Overview --- p.64-65Chapter 5.2 --- Adulteration by Guijiu --- p.65-68Chapter 5.3 --- Anticholinergic reactions Caused by --- p.69-74Chapter 5.4 --- Overdosage --- p.74Chapter 5.4.1 --- Overdose of Aconitine --- p.74-78Chapter 5.4.2 --- Overdose of Liquorice ('Gancao') --- p.78-80Chapter 5.4.3 --- Overdose of --- p.80Chapter 5.5 --- Misusing - Personal abuse --- p.80Chapter 5.5.1 --- --- p.80-81Chapter 5.6 --- Discussion --- p.81-84Chapter 5.7 --- Conclusion --- p.84Chapter Chapter 6 --- Chinese Patent Medicine - General Aspect --- p.85-112Chapter 6.1 --- Chinese Patent Medicine --- p.85Chapter 6.1.1 --- Introduction --- p.85-87Chapter 6.1.2 --- Herbal Injection and Infusion --- p.87-88Chapter 6.1.2.1 --- Variety & Processing --- p.88Chapter 6.1.2.2 --- Stabilization --- p.88-89Chapter 6.1.2.3 --- The Molecular Size --- p.89-90Chapter 6.1.3 --- Adverse Reactions Caused by Chinese Proprietary Medicines --- p.90Chapter 6.1.3.1 --- Aconitine poisoning --- p.90Chapter 6.1.3.2 --- Nan Lien Chui Fong Toukuwan' --- p.90-91Chapter 6.1.3.3 --- Jin Bu Huan' --- p.91Chapter 6.1.3.4 --- Baoyingdan' --- p.91Chapter 6.1.4 --- Heavy metals in CPM --- p.91Chapter 6.1.5 --- The Necessarity to Develop Randomise Herbal Clinical Trial. --- p.91-92Chapter 6.1.6 --- Recommendation --- p.92-93Chapter 6.1.7 --- Conclusion --- p.93-94Chapter 6.2 --- Adulteration by synthetic therapeutic substances --- p.95-104Chapter 6.2.1 --- The Experiences in China --- p.91-99Chapter 6.2.2 --- The Experiences in Hong Kong --- p.99-101Chapter 6.2.3 --- The Experience in Taiwan --- p.101-102Chapter 6.2.4 --- Discussion --- p.102-104Chapter 6.3 --- Oil of Wintergreen (Methyl salicylate) --- p.104-112Chapter 6.3.1 --- Overview --- p.104-111Chapter 6.3.2 --- Prevention --- p.111-112Chapter Chapter 7 --- Adverse effects of Ginseng. --- p.113-123Chapter 7.1 --- Overview --- p.113Chapter 7.2 --- Botany --- p.113-114Chapter 7.3 --- Pharmacological Effects --- p.114-115Chapter 7.4 --- Adverse reaction of Ginseng --- p.115Chapter 7.4.1 --- Overdosage --- p.115-116Chapter 7.4.2 --- Substitution with cheaper and more toxic herbs --- p.116-121Chapter 7.5 --- Drug - herb Interaction --- p.121-122Chapter 7.6 --- Conclusion --- p.123Chapter Chapter 8 --- Herbal Medicines With Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions --- p.124-123Chapter 8.1 --- Overview --- p.124Chapter 8.2 --- Hypertension --- p.124Chapter 8.3 --- Atherosclerosis --- p.124-125Chapter 8.4 --- Arrhythmias --- p.125-126Chapter 8.5 --- Cardic Failure --- p.126Chapter 8.6 --- Angia Pectoris --- p.126Chapter 8.7 --- Thromboembolic Disorders --- p.126-127Chapter 8.8 --- Discussion --- p.127-128Chapter 8.8.1 --- Herbal Medicine Used in Cardiovascular System --- p.131Chapter 8.8.1.1 --- Ginseng --- p.131-133Chapter 8.8.1.2 --- Ma huang (Ephedra sinica) --- p.133-136Chapter 8.8.1.3 --- Yellow oleander (Thevetia neriifolia) --- p.136-137Chapter 8.8.1.4 --- Stephania tetrandra --- p.137-138Chapter 8.8.1.5 --- Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) --- p.138Chapter 8.8.1.8 --- Ginkgo biloba --- p.138-140Chapter 8.8.1.9 --- Dong Quai (Angelicae Sinensis) --- p.140-141Chapter 8.8.1.10 --- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) --- p.141-143Chapter 8.8.1.11 --- Berberine --- p.143Chapter 8.8.2 --- Potential Problem Caused by Chinese Proprietary Medicine --- p.143-144Chapter 8.9 --- Other Herbal Adverse Effects And Drug Interaction --- p.144-145Chapter 8.10 --- Conclusion --- p.145Chapter Chapter 9 --- Review of the Adverse Reactions to herbal treatments of Obesity --- p.146-150Chapter 9.1 --- Overview --- p.146Chapter 9.2 --- Combined With Unknown medication --- p.146-147Chapter 9.3 --- Dietary Supplements and Herbal Preparations --- p.147-149Chapter 9.4 --- Conclusion --- p.149-150Chapter Chapter 10 --- Adverse Effects of CHM used for Diabetes --- p.151-159Chapter 10.1 --- Introduction --- p.151Chapter 10.2 --- Traditional Chinese medicine used in Diabetes --- p.151Chapter 10.3 --- Adverse Reaction of Alternative Diabetic Treatment --- p.152-158Chapter 10.4 --- Conclusion --- p.159Chapter Chapter 11 --- Review of Herbal Hepatotoxicity --- p.160-194Chapter 11.1 --- Introduction --- p.160-161Chapter 11.2 --- Drug-induced hepatic injury --- p.161-163Chapter 11.3 --- Types of Liver Injury --- p.163Chapter 11.3.1 --- Pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) --- p.163Chapter 11.4 --- Hepatotoxicity Herbs --- p.163Chapter 11.4.1 --- Tripterygium wilfordii --- p.163-164Chapter 11.4.2 --- Rhizoma Discoreae Bulbiferae --- p.164-165Chapter 11.5 --- Consumption of Insect herbs --- p.165Chapter 11.6 --- Hepatotoxicity Cause by Chinese Proprietary Medicine --- p.165-166Chapter 11.6.1 --- Jin Bu Huan --- p.166-168Chapter 11.6.2 --- Chi R Yun (Breynia officinalis) --- p.168Chapter 11.6.3 --- Sho-saiko-to --- p.168-169Chapter 11.6.4 --- Shou-Wu-Pian --- p.169-171Chapter 11.7 --- Importance of Drug-Herb and Herb-Herb Interactions --- p.171-172Chapter 11.8 --- Diagnosis of Herbal Hepatotoxicity --- p.172-173Chapter 11.9 --- Recomandation --- p.173-174Chapter 11.10 --- Conclusion --- p.175Table --- p.176-180Chapter Chapter 12 --- Review of Herbal Nephropathy --- p.181-194Chapter 12.1 --- Introduction --- p.181Chapter 12.2 --- Aristolochia acids (AA) --- p.181-183Chapter 12.2.1 --- Intoxication of Aristolochia in Worldwide --- p.183-184Chapter 12.2.2 --- Morphological findings --- p.184-185Chapter 12.2.3 --- Carcinogenic --- p.185-187Chapter 12.3 --- MuTong (Aristolochia manshuriensis) --- p.187-188Chapter 12.4 --- Ma-dou-ling (Fructus Aristolochiae) --- p.188Chapter 12.5 --- Tripterygium wilfordii --- p.188-189Chapter 12.6 --- Gastrodia Elata --- p.189Chapter 12.7 --- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) --- p.190-191Chapter 12.8 --- Hippocampus (Sea Horse) --- p.191Chapter 12.9 --- Milabris Phanalerata --- p.191-192Chapter 12.10 --- Chinese Proprietary Medicine --- p.192-193Chapter 12.11 --- Conclusion --- p.193-194Chapter Chapter 13 --- Adverse Reaction of Herbal Medicine in Dermatology. --- p.195-217Chapter 13.1 --- Overview --- p.195-196Chapter 13.2 --- Chinese Herbal Medicine Used in Psoriasis --- p.196Chapter 13.2.1 --- Tripterygium wilfordii --- p.197Chapter 13.2.2 --- Radix Angelicae pubescentis and Radix Angelicae dahuricae --- p.197-198Chapter 13.2.3 --- Radix macrotomiae seu Lithospermi Injection --- p.198Chapter 13.3 --- Chinese Herbal Decoction For Atopic Dermatitis --- p.198-200Chapter 13.3.1 --- Tea Extracts --- p.200-201Chapter 13.4 --- Potential Adverse Effect with Herbal Medicine --- p.201Chapter 13.4.1 --- Allergic skin reactions --- p.201-202Chapter 13.4.2 --- Stevens-Johnson syndrome --- p.202Chapter 13.4.3 --- Photosensitization --- p.202-204Chapter 13.4.4 --- Pellagra --- p.204Chapter 13.4.5 --- Hepatotoxic Effects --- p.204-205Chapter 13.4.6 --- Others Adverse Reaction --- p.205Chapter 13.4.7 --- Potential Adverse Reaction Caused by Interactions --- p.205Chapter 13.5 --- Potential Adverse Reaction Caused by Contamination of Herbal Product --- p.206Chapter 13.5.1 --- Herbal creams adulterated with corticosteroids --- p.206-207Chapter 13.5.2 --- Arsenic dermatoses --- p.207Chapter 13.5.3 --- Mercury poisoning --- p.207-208Table --- p.208-211Chapter 13.6 --- Dermatological Adverse Reaction Caused by Herbs --- p.211Chapter 13.7 --- Contact Dermatitis Caused by CPM --- p.211-212Chapter 13.7.1 --- Liushenwan' --- p.211-212Chapter 13.7.2 --- Heiguiyou' --- p.212Chapter 13.7.3 --- 101 Hair Regrowth Liniment' --- p.212-213Chapter 13.7.4 --- Zhenggushui' --- p.213Chapter 13.7.5 --- Tiedayaoiing' --- p.213-214Table --- p.214-215Chapter 13.8 --- Non-dermatological adverse effects of systemic herbal treatments used for dermatological conditions --- p.215-216Chapter 13.9 --- Conclusion --- p.216-217Chapter Chapter 14 --- "Chinese Herbal Medicine in Pregnancy, Infants & Children," --- p.218-229Chapter 14.1 --- Overview --- p.218-219Chapter 14.2 --- Asian Cultures for Pregnancy --- p.219-223Chapter 14.3 --- Teratogenic Herbs --- p.224-225Chapter 14.4 --- Chinese proprietary medicines --- p.225Chapter 14.4.1 --- "“Tse Koo Choy""" --- p.225-226Chapter 14.4.2 --- "“Lu Shen Wan""" --- p.226Chapter 14.4.3 --- "“Po Ying Pills""" --- p.226-227Chapter 14.4.4 --- """Jin Bu Huan Toxicity"" in Children" --- p.227Chapter 14.6 --- Topical Preparations --- p.227-228Chapter 14.7 --- Dietary supplement --- p.228-229Chapter 14.8 --- Conclusion --- p.229Chapter Chapter 15 --- Heavy metals poisoning in traditional Chinese medicines. --- p.230-251Chapter 15.1 --- Introduction --- p.230-232Chapter 15.2 --- LEAD --- p.232Chapter 15.2.1 --- Overview --- p.232Chapter 15.2.2 --- Poisoning Cases of Boa Ning Dan --- p.233-235Chapter 15.2.3 --- Lead Poisoning in Worldwide --- p.235-238Chapter 15.3 --- MERCURY --- p.238Chapter 15.3.1 --- Overview --- p.238-239Chapter 15.3.2 --- Cinnabar --- p.239-240Chapter 15.3.3 --- Presentation --- p.240-241Chapter 15.3.4 --- Poisoning Cases --- p.241-242Chapter 15.4 --- ARSENIC --- p.242Chapter 15.4.1 --- Overview --- p.242-243Chapter 15.4.2 --- Arsenic toxicity --- p.243-244Chapter 15.4.3 --- The toxicologic mechanisms of inorganic arsenic --- p.244-246Chapter 15.4.4 --- Poisoning Cases --- p.246Chapter 15.4.5 --- Discussion --- p.247-248Chapter 15.5 --- Conclusion --- p.248Table --- p.249-251Chapter Chapter 16 --- Herb - Drug Interactions --- p.252-269Chapter 16.1 --- Overview --- p.252-254Chapter 16.2 --- Effects of Herb-drug interactions --- p.255Chapter 16.2.1 --- Gastrointestinal system --- p.255-256Chapter 16.2.2 --- Cardiovascular system --- p.256Chapter 16.2.3 --- Central nervous system --- p.257Chapter 16.2.4 --- Endocrine system --- p.257Chapter 16.3 --- Reason regard to herb-drug interactions --- p.257Chapter 16.3.1 --- Lack of Knowledge About Herbs --- p.257Chapter 16.3.2 --- Mislabelling or Adulteration --- p.258Chapter 16.3.3 --- Lack of Patient Communication About Use of Botanicals --- p.258Chapter 16.3.4 --- Lack of Practitioner Knowledge About Potential Interactions --- p.258Chapter 16.4 --- Metabolism of Herb-Drug Interaction --- p.258-259Chapter 16.5 --- Pharmacologic Interactions --- p.259-260Chapter 16.5.1 --- Interaction with Antibiotics --- p.260Chapter 16.5.2 --- Interaction with Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs --- p.260-261Chapter 16.5.3 --- Interaction with Sedatives --- p.261-262Chapter 16.5.4 --- Interaction with Anticoagulants --- p.262-263Chapter 16.5.5 --- Interaction with Anti-hypertensives and Diuretics --- p.263Chapter 16.5.6 --- Interaction with Spironolactone --- p.264Chapter 16.5.7 --- Interaction with Corticosteroids and Cyclosporine --- p.264-265Chapter 16.5.8 --- Interaction with Estrogen Replacement Therapy --- p.265Chapter 16.5.9 --- Interactions Between Natural Product and Drug --- p.265-266Chapter 16.6 --- Herb-to-Herb Interactions --- p.266-267Chapter 16.7 --- Conclusion --- p.268-269Chapter Chapter 17 --- Recommendation --- p.270-264Chapter 17.1 --- Overview --- p.270Chapter 17.2 --- The need to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine --- p.270-271Chapter 17.3 --- For the Pharmaceutical Industries --- p.211-212Chapter 17.4 --- For the physicians & patient --- p.272-274Conclusion --- p.274Chapter Chapter 18 --- Conclusion --- p.275-280Chapter Chapter 19 --- Reference --- p.281-30

Study on a Chinese herbal Flos Magnoliae (Xin-Yi) – identification and pharmacological actions

Flos Magnoliae (FM), one of the commonly used Chinese herbal medicines (CHM), has a long history of clinical application for rhinitis, sinusitis and headache. More than 20 different FM species can be found in the market. Thus, a systematic evaluation of the authentic species and quality assessment of FM from different botanic sources could be a complicated process. The major aim of this thesis was to study the molecular, chemical and pharmacological profiles of different FM species and varieties, as well as different FM products. Firstly, DNA-based techniques were used to identify the genetic relationships between six Magnolia spp. The distinct genetic distances of their molecular profiles from six FM species were firstly demonstrated using RAPD by 10 random primers and PCR-RFLP by 5s-rRNA gene after digestion by restriction enzymes (HhaI, PstI, SmaI, and EcoRV). Secondly, magnolin and fargesin were qualitatively and quantitatively determined from all M. biondii batches and M. kobus, but not fargesin was detected from M. liliflora, using optimised and validated TLC and RP-HPLC method. The significant differences of the content of magnolin and fargesin were observed in samples from different FM sources. Furthermore, no magnolin and fargesin were found in other FM species. Then, the distinguished HPLC fingerprinting profiles of different FM species and M. biondii varieties were evaluated using various parameters, including the retention time, the relative retention time, the peak area, the relative peak area, the total peak area of 13 common peaks and the overlapping ratio. In addition, the FM products and the M. biondii batches grown in different cultivation sites were clearly identified and authenticated by their HPLC fingerprinting features. Finally, the effects of different samples on mast cell derived histamine release induced by compound 48/80 in rat peritoneal mast cells were studied, using HPLC with post-derivatization. The significant differences in inhibition of histamine release were observed among various species or varieties. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of the FM sources from different herbal suppliers and cultivation sites on compound 48/80 induced histamine release were evaluated. To the best knowledge, it is also the first report of the anti-histamine release effects by the bioactive lignan, magnolin, and volatile oil from M. biondii. In conclusion, the present study verified that the variations of botanic species and varieties, cultivation environments, and manufacturer process might cause the differences of the chemical compositions and pharmacological actions of FM products. Local grown FM species may be used for anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory applications. For the future direction, it would have been interesting to characterize the chemical structures of these components, which may contribute to the anti-allergic effects of FM. Assays on mediators involved in the anti-allergic actions may provide additional evidences of FM on the clinical application for rhinitis and sinusitis. Further to that, assays on anti-allergic effects of the major chemical compounds from FM on these mediators may apply chances to discover new therapeutic agents